Winchester 1885 .38-55 Highwall

[GLL]

I just acquired one of the new Winchester 1885 High Walls in .38-55 just for some fun.

Other than my JC Higgins single shot .22 I bought in 1949 this is the only long gun I have owned so I need a lot of help. I currently cast a number of pistol bullets but have never cast for a rifle.

Can any of you suggest specific bullet moulds I should try, alloys that are reasonable, and loads for target shooting in the 100-200 yard range. Any other helpful hints/warnings on preparing to shoot this beauty would be very much appreciated.

Jerry

[Bullshop]

G-Day Jerry
A little more info needed for that like groove diameter and twist rate. Ya see the 38/55 has to be looked at almost like it were two different cartridges the old and the new.
The old was a true 38 cal with groove running .380"+. The new for some reason has been confused with a 375 cal. in some cases.
There is also the twist which has also been confused with the H&H cartridge for long heavy boolits/bullets.
See what you come up with for those #'s and you will get a better idea of what should work best for ya.
BIC/BS

[Gussy]

I have the same gun only with the Browning name on it. It has a 15 twist and shoots the Lyman 335 gr bullet very well (as do most other 38-55 owners I've talked to). I shoot straight black powder or "booster loads" with 5 grns of Rel 7 on the bottom. The boosters have shot well out to1000 yds. I put a set of Browning BPCR long range sights on it.
Gus

[GLL]

Thanks to both of you for the very quick responses ! :)

I notice that the 335 grain Lyman 378674 is .378" while the 249 grain Lyman 375248 is .375".

Gussy: How do you size your 335 grain bullets? Have you slugged the barrel? Is the groove .375" on your Browning? My Winchester is indeed identical to your gun.

I will not be shooting black powder so would like to hear more about smokeless loads.

Jerry

[45 2.1]

The Browning Traditional Hunter is usually 0.378" to 0.3785" and will chamber a 0.379" boolit easily while the 0.380" boolit is snug in WW brass.

[GLL]

45 2.1:

Thank you for the additional information. I think I will borrow a 378674 and experiment a little with fit.

What type of sights are on your gun? I may want to try something other than the originals as Gussy has done.

What kind of loads are you using?

Thanks.

Jerry

[MT Chambers]

My Douglas barrel shoots the 335 Lyman very nicely at .376", I use 43gr. of 3Fg Swiss......Knocks the Rams down at 550 if I do my part. I think Douglas envisioned these barrels to be used on the .375 H&H, as some 38/55s are .380" or more. In those barrels I have had good luck with NEI Short Hudson bullet and a 250gr. oversize Saeco, both are tapered but the bottom band drops at .381 or so.

[45 2.1]

What type of sights are on your gun? I may want to try something other than the originals as Gussy has done. I replaced the front with a Marbles 1/16" ivory bead and the rear with a folding windage adjustable Marbles. I retained the original windage tang rear.

What kind of loads are you using? Several: .380 RB with WW231, Lyman 37583 with WW231, Lyman 375248 with Unique, RCBS 37-250-GC with IMR4895 and the heavy pointed RCBS with WW231. Rifle will shoot from 3/8" to 1.25" at 100 yds. depending on load.