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Author Topic: Marlin 38-55 Cowboy Rifle  (Read 984 times)

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Offline AlteJaeger

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Marlin 38-55 Cowboy Rifle
« on: November 07, 2004, 12:51:11 PM »
:D  Am contemplating buying a Marlin 38-55 rifle. Fo those that have them what has been the barrel groove dia?  Saw some Lazer case, 240 gr, sized to 377 dia and wonder how they would perform if the barrel groove dia., was sat 378 - 379?  Anyone have any input on the topic or favorite loads they would like to share? Many thanks and a great week ahead to all.
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Offline Escalante

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.38-55
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2004, 02:54:09 AM »
Morning.
My Marling slugged .3795. I would suggest if you have one slug it before purchasing any bullets. If you wish to contact me off board I will suggest a few loads for cast bullets as that is all I shoot in this rifle.
.32-20
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Offline Montana 38-55

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Marlin 38-55 Cowboy Rifle
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2004, 06:47:11 AM »
:D    I called the factory about the bore and groove dia. of the Cowboy 38-55 and they said that the bore was 0.374" +- 0.001 and groove was 0.380" +- 0.001.  A lot of people tried to shoot a 0.380 - 0.381 dia. hard cast bullets and bulged the factory brass and the round would not chamber.  Some sent their rifles back to the factory to have the chambers reamed out to except these larger bullets.  But remember that this is Ballard rifling the same as the originals were made in the 1800's for softer bullets and black powder.  I would suggest that you shoot not harder than 20/1 lead/tin bullets.  buffalo Arms has brass that they have drawn out to the original case length (0.05 longer than current factory brass) that would be thinner at the mouth than factory brass.  AA 5744 powder works fine for me (1" groups at 100 yds.) but leaves unburnt powder in the barrel.  Don't worry about it because it shoots great groups and the rifling is made to except black powder fouling.
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Offline big medicine

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Marlin 38-55 Cowboy Rifle
« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2004, 06:31:13 PM »
I have my 38/55 for a little over a year and love it. It is one accurate rifle. I have never slugged mine. I have been shooting a 250 gr JFP with a dia of .378 that Stone Fence makes. I'm pushing out at 2012 FPS and it kills deer dead! I just got some .378 cast bullets that I will try for Ranch Dogs postal match next year. All I know is that for hunting the bullet that Stone Fence makes is the bullet to shoot.
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Offline AlteJaeger

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38-55
« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2004, 05:07:09 PM »
:D  Many thanks to all for your replies. For Big Medicine in Pawnee City, lets be getting the big Red up and a going! Your home is not far from my ol' home town of Crete.
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Offline big medicine

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Marlin 38-55 Cowboy Rifle
« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2004, 06:01:35 PM »
Freddy,
I wish we could get the Big Red going, but I fear a whoopin is comming our way :cry:
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