What else fits a .38-55?

fingers284 said:
I owned a "shooter" Sask Jubilee one time, the bore slugged at 378 but the chamber would only accommodate .375 loaded in WW brass so the proper bullets for the gun wouldn't chamber at all and the .375 slugs shot "minute of target board".
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Mine was perfect, groove dia was 378 > 379 and any bullet larger than 380 would not chamber. The Winchester Commemorative rifles were the most incosistently made rifles I've ever had the pleasure of owning.

Before firing it, do your research.

First: 375 Brass doesn't belong in a 38-55. It's short, the walls are too thick and the internal volume is less than 38-55 brass. 38-55 data would not apply.
  • 30-30 brass is thin enough, but very short.
  • Jacketed and/or any bullet smaller than 378/379 is a waste of time shooting.
  • Cast your own or buy cast bullets.
  • If you cast your own, the LEE mold MOLD DC 379-250-RF throws a pretty good bullet. I trimmed my mold so it cast w/o the bevel base.
  • H4198, Rx-7, SR4759 and 5744 will be your friend.

It is a fun caliber to shoot, and other than the 379 bullet, pretty straightforward to load for. Starline makes brass, two different lengths, SAAMI length (2.080) and 2.125, you pick. BTW 30-30 brass starts at 2.039 and after expanding to the 38-55 chamber it is shorter yet. 375 brass starts at 2.02, is thick and is smaller internally.

Nitro
 
Nitro has it right. My Winchester takes short Winchester brass and .379 bullets 250 grain and a load of unique powder for general shooting. These rifles have tight bores if newer made.
 
Contrary to what Nitro says I shot Hornady 3705's I think which was a .375 220 gr FP out of my early 1900's 94 and they shot just as well as factory at 100 yds. I can't remember what the load was but they would print a couple of inches above factory. I did slug the barrel and it was in the typical range for those old guns.
However the cheapest and most practical would be cast lead sized to barrel and those Hornady's I bilieve have been discontinued.
 
billbmcleod said:
Contrary to what Nitro says I shot Hornady 3705's I think which was a .375 220 gr FP out of my early 1900's 94 and they shot just as well as factory at 100 yds. I can't remember what the load was but they would print a couple of inches above factory. I did slug the barrel and it was in the typical range for those old guns.
However the cheapest and most practical would be cast lead sized to barrel and those Hornady's I bilieve have been discontinued.
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I guess that proves not all 38-55's are created equal. I got 1 foot groups, and then pulled the rest of the bullets. I talked to my friend, the previous owner, and he told me not to waste my time, he said my rifle would not shoot jacketed. I added that I was thinking about buying some Barnes because they were 377 dia, and he said don't waste your money. In the end I had a good shooting load with the LEE bullet, a Lyman 375296, and a bunch of commercial from R & R bullets. R & R Bullets has gone out of business but there was a time that I bought a bunch of really good bullets from him. His products were good and the price was reasonable.

With so many other options, I never pursued jacketed loads again.

Another must have for cast are NOE Expanders. https:/ /noebulletmolds.com/site/product-category/expanders/expander-plug-rifle/page/3

NOE expanders are well made, and make seating 379 bullets a breeze.

Most of the Lyman molds I bought cast smaller than 379, even the 375296 I bought. I have two 375248 molds, one does cast at about 380, the other is about 002 smaller.
 
I've owned a Ruger #1 in 38x55 since 1987, as well as a Ruger #3 and Marlin 1894 in 375 Winchester.

Both of the Ruger's bore slugged at .376 the Marlin at .377.

Both 38x55 and 375 brass were hard to find so i shot a lot of moderate loads with 30-30 brass and Lyman and RCBS cast bullets sized .377

The Rugers shot equally well with thses bullets.

I was at the range one day shooting the #1
38x55 for groups as well as firing forming 30-30 brass with cast bullets.

Another friend of mine came along.

My group was developing quite well at just under an inch at 100 yards.

I offered to let him shot at the second target , slipped in a 30-30 round, he fired no shot on the paper .

I then fired another round at my target adding to my group.

He fired another 30-30 again missing the target , 3 more shots and he was headed home. I stopped and apologized ,we had a good laugh and I bought coffee.

357
 
BigGreenMachine said:
Sorry, posted a link to a pic a page back. Does it work?

I shot a dozen rounds at roughly 200 yards measured through the rangefinder and recall it being on point with factory ammo. Its a very fun little rifle to shoot.
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Doh, my bad....
It works and that stubby barrel would make a good atv/truck gun.
Look forward to hearing how you do with the bullet choices available .
Rob
 
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