fired 38-55 brass

[riverjackal]

I recently bought an H&R Target Model 38-55. I have had trouble with bulging cases and reloaded rounds that won't chamber ( by the way, Winchester factory ammo also has bulging cases ) and today after measuring my fired brass on the inside I find that it measures .375 mostly, some are .376.
Now my question; Is it normal for this chamber to be this small or do I have an unusually tight one ? If anyone has info I would sure appreciate your help.
  It appears that I could reload these cases without resizing if I wanted to use a 377 or 379 bullet as it it is already small enough to hold it. ( actually too small )
 If those reloaders that are in the know about this round would respond I will sure appreciate it.
 I have loaded 255 grain Brass plus lead bullets at .379 and Speer 235 grain spire point at .375 and neither one will chamber in my rifle.
  What say you fellas that has been there and done that ?

[Haywire Haywood]

there are a few folks with this problem, do a search and you'll find several threads about this.

Ian

[JPH45]

If you can, try and stay away from the jacketed stuff. Cast will shoot just fine, and as fast as you can drive it from the 38-55 case anyway, one of the reasons I got my barrel.

I did what others had been doing before me and poosting about, simply running laoded cases back into the sizing die enough to make it chamber. I find that sizing just the length of the bullet is enough, I set my die up so it only screws into the press about 1/4", don't do anything you ain't got to do.

I'm not sure what gives with NEF about their chambers and bores, but a 375 chamber and a 379 bore seems to be the norm for the 38-55. Don't give up on it, these are good shooters, so I've read and experienced. Do a search over at the AR cast bullets forum, there is an exellent thread on the 38-55 Handi and these problems and the resizing die resolution.

[riverjackal]

Thank You JPH45, I appreciate your response.