I enjoy shooting my great grandfathers Winchester 1894 carbine in 38-55. A nice long push for recoil, very pleasing to shoot for that reason. However the primers back out a bit and the bullets whistle, as they tumble. I can't speak for a single shot though, but I love the cartridge.
Talk to me about 38-55 Single Shot
- Thread starter Re3iever
- Start date
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
Marstar has a nice Pedersoli rolling block in 30/30.Here is one of my favourites a greener martini in 22lr.Small bore martini s are a blast
I also have this C Sharps high wall in 22lr
Oh man, I love single shots. Why don't I get ads for hot, ###y single shots in my area? I would totally be catfished for that.
I have a Falling Block Works action with a Ron Smith 38-55 barrel. It’s great fun and very accurate. I also have a Ballard #5 Pacific in 40-85 I’ve yet to do anything with. If starting over, I’ve had some 32-40s and that is the cartridge I’d go with. Good luck. (PS the 38-55 is about the smallest for knocking over rams with black powder).
I read several favorable reviews of the Lyman 38-55 little sharps. I think they are sweet looking. I'd definately start casting lead for sure!
I had one of the mini Sharps after they first came out.
I thought that they were quite tiny, and I'm not a beefy person.
It was awkward to hold it comfortably and I'm sure it could be painful to shoot.
It had a few sharp edges that should have been removed.
Just my tuppence.
I thought that they were quite tiny, and I'm not a beefy person.
It was awkward to hold it comfortably and I'm sure it could be painful to shoot.
It had a few sharp edges that should have been removed.
Just my tuppence.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
pretty much an accurate description of shooting the little sharps in 38-55. Everything is smaller including the butt stock and therefore has a smaller surface to absorb recoil very well. They were introduced as a lighter, smaller version of a Sharps for smaller statured persons (women to be specific) but the small, but just as sharp butt plate made them very uncomfortable to shoot with ammo that could even come close to competing with their husbands on a silhouette range. i know of 2 ladies that bought them and both sold them after very few rounds fired...I fired one myself and they were painful on the shoulder in summer garb.
Ok, just to update everybody - the 1881 Spanish Roller is going ahead as a 45-70 project - parts I needed are arriving today so off to the gunsmiths next week.
I bought a 1902 Remington Roller #1 action yesterday and that's the one I will use for the 38-55 build. I have found (2) barrel options
(a) 1.25" Unturned barrel blank - bore size is 0.375, 28" barrel with option for 1:10 or 1:12 twist . ( I'm assuming in addition to everything else I would be spending money to have this milled to an octagon shape).
(b) .38-55 Cal, 1:14 Twist, 35” Long, 1”-2” Receiver Stub, 4140CM, Honed Octagon Tapered BPCR Barrel. #3 Profile- 1.05” at the breech, tapered down to .95” at the muzzle. Button Rifled, Stress Relieved, and Air Gauged.
(b) is twice the price of (a) but I'm also asuming the extra milling would pretty much even out the cost so I am leaning toward (b).
Comments , Feed back appreciated.
Retreever
I bought a 1902 Remington Roller #1 action yesterday and that's the one I will use for the 38-55 build. I have found (2) barrel options
(a) 1.25" Unturned barrel blank - bore size is 0.375, 28" barrel with option for 1:10 or 1:12 twist . ( I'm assuming in addition to everything else I would be spending money to have this milled to an octagon shape).
(b) .38-55 Cal, 1:14 Twist, 35” Long, 1”-2” Receiver Stub, 4140CM, Honed Octagon Tapered BPCR Barrel. #3 Profile- 1.05” at the breech, tapered down to .95” at the muzzle. Button Rifled, Stress Relieved, and Air Gauged.
(b) is twice the price of (a) but I'm also asuming the extra milling would pretty much even out the cost so I am leaning toward (b).
Comments , Feed back appreciated.
Retreever
I'd go with B.
Make sure that there is enough beef at the chamber end to allow proper fitting to the receiver.
Some rollers are big and some blanks don't have enough metal in this area.
Personally, I think long barrels are cool, and It's not a phallic symbol thing.
Make sure that there is enough beef at the chamber end to allow proper fitting to the receiver.
Some rollers are big and some blanks don't have enough metal in this area.
Personally, I think long barrels are cool, and It's not a phallic symbol thing.
I am torn between the two choices; choice B sounds the best except if you are shooting black powder, the button rifling may be on the shallow side. If you are contouring choice A there may be surface stresses in the barrel causing the barrel to warp as you remove surface material
cheers mooncoon
cheers mooncoon
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
Where’d you find an action? Also, an action with 1902 dates would be a “No 5” smokeless action, either a 1902 or 1910 variant. They are awesome actions. I have a full military 1910, and it is slick.
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
Option B really sounds like it will make a nice rifle. Wouldn't really consider the other unless you want more of a Carbine style with a round barrel.
Who is doing the work for you?
Who is doing the work for you?
Ok, update on the action - confirmed it is a 1910. Took it into local gunsmith had the 30-30 barrel stub removed ( guy I bought it from cut the barrel to make it cheaper to ship which was find by me). Stripped it downed and checked everything all good so far. Will likely order all new springs, not sure if I will need a new extractor bar.
I went with Option B for the barrel and it is enroute should be here next week.
(b) .38-55 Cal, 1:14 Twist, 35” Long, 1”-2” Receiver Stub, 4140CM, Honed Octagon Tapered BPCR Barrel. #3 Profile- 1.05” at the breech, tapered down to .95” at the muzzle. Button Rifled, Stress Relieved, and Air Gauged.
Retreever
I went with Option B for the barrel and it is enroute should be here next week.
(b) .38-55 Cal, 1:14 Twist, 35” Long, 1”-2” Receiver Stub, 4140CM, Honed Octagon Tapered BPCR Barrel. #3 Profile- 1.05” at the breech, tapered down to .95” at the muzzle. Button Rifled, Stress Relieved, and Air Gauged.
Retreever
In .25-20 Single shot , also called the .25-20 Stevens , I have a Stevens Ideal Model 44 1/2.
Just so happens I was shooting it yesterday ( May-22) @ 100 yds. with my 85 gr. lead cast bullets
with 8 gr. of H-4227 ( NOT IMR 4227 ). All 15 shots within 3". I have shot several 2" groups
with this gun/ ammo.
I had to special order the brass. Took ONE Year to get from Austy Land. List Cost was $ 5.00 / brass.
Sights are a small bead ft. sight & a Lyman tang sight.
Also have several .38-55 rifles. Win. , Marlin, Savage ,,,,,,,,, Repeaters & Singe shots. ALL good.
