Uberti or Pedersoli 1885 38-55

[Mark-II]

My father wants to buy a replica high wall rifle in 38-55 and is deciding between the Uberti and the Pedersoli offerings, with a strong leaning towards the Pedersoli, since I've not found a Uberti in stock anywhere (and Marstar has the Pedersoli)

He'll be shooting from the bench, cast bullet smokeless reloads on the lighter side (he's getting on in years and can't take much recoil, which is one reason why he doesn't want a 45-70 despite my saying that I can load it down for him).

I've heard that these rifles have an abnormally large groove diameter, which means that my Lyman mould for my .375 Winchester likely won't be large enough, nor do I see listings for H&I dies in .380/.381/.382 in the catalogues from Lyman/RCBS.

Can anyone enlighten me as to which makers rifle is of better quality, or better suited to my purpose?

Which bullet do you casters use, and where do you source bullet sizers from?

I do have an OLD plain based 38-55 mould that I've never used. It is a Winchester tong affair with the blocks integral to the handles. I don't know what size bullet it will drop.

 

[tacfoley]

Whichever one he gets, I'd advise the more-modern-looking version with the full pistol grip and conventionally modern buttplate shape. The original crescent butt-plate will very soon make you wish you'd taken up up something less painful, like juggling chainsaws.

Nows the time to find out the size of YOUR mould, too.

tac

 

[Mark-II]

Whichever one he gets, I'd advise the more-modern-looking version with the full pistol grip and conventionally modern buttplate shape. The original crescent butt-plate will very soon make you wish you'd taken up up something less painful, like juggling chainsaws.

Nows the time to find out the size of YOUR mould, too.

rac

He doesn't like the look of pistol grips, but since that's what Marstar has in stock, he'll accept it.

I've had to lay up my casting equipment for the season. I'm curious enough about that old mould that I might do a small run, or at least try to get one decent slug out it it to measure. I really wasn't expecting him to move on a rifle until spring, but he sold a few guns and has some mad money to spend, so I've got to source components and get the rifle ordered this week.

 

[big dog]

I "think" I read somewhere that Pedersoli makes most of the rifles for Uberti. Not sure how true that is.

 

[SIGP2101]

I've heard that these rifles have an abnormally large groove diameter, which means that my Lyman mould for my .375 Winchester likely won't be large enough, nor do I see listings for H&I dies in .380/.381/.382 in the catalogues from Lyman/RCBS.

It is beyond my comprehension why they still making those 38-55 that way. If you find mold that big than bullet will not fit your brass or brass will be bulging. Once you get it in it will have hard time to chamber. Only bullet that actually works well in mine is Barnes Original .377. Another thing is that today's brass is a little bit shorter than originals.