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maximus11
06-18-2011, 05:51 PM
So I finally finished this 38-55 conversion project and shot it the other day. After a box of the Win factory loads, I decided reloading is in the future. So I am going to try some of the .375 Cu jacketed bullets, no problem there, but after reading up on cast bullets I'm thoroughly confused. Apparently the 38-55 is a finicky beast. What diameter do I need? Where can I get some fairly inexpensive flatnose types? Benchrest accuracy is not needed. ITs mostly a cost thing.
This rifle was a Win 94 (1983 top eject receiver) 30-30 carbine that was converted to a 38-55 26" Numrich barrel. I have not cast the bore but I have been told those barrels are .376". So do I need cast bullets of .376 exactly? Can I shoot larger ones, say .379" or .380" and still be okay? and finally, whats a good source of plinking type bullets that are cost effective, just to get started.

I don't have a ton of cast bullet knowledge outside my revolvers so this one is new to me. Seems cast is definitely the was to go with this rifle though.

Thanks
Dave

Guesser
06-18-2011, 06:07 PM
I built a 38-55 using a Winchester half round 26" angle eject barrel and a late model cross bolt safety angle eject M94 receiver. The barrel was a left over from before USRA bought the brand from Olin. It turned out to be a beautiful rifle(no pics) and a great shooter. The bore slugged at .3765, I use Lyman 375449 sized .378/.379 with a gas check. They weigh a perfect 265 gr. and shoot extremely well over RE 7 @ 1800 FPS, 10' from the muzzle. Slug your bore and see what you need. I was pleasantly surprised when I got my barrel; it head spaced perfectly, no machining required, even the extractor groove mated. My barrel is a Winchester, marked "1 of 1000".

maximus11
06-19-2011, 12:16 AM
Ok, so I take it I should shoot bullet diameters 0.002"-.003" over the bore diameter?

Wayne Smith
06-19-2011, 09:04 AM
Ok, so I take it I should shoot bullet diameters 0.002"-.003" over the bore diameter?

That really depends on your chamber. Yes, if you can chamber them.

Guesser
06-19-2011, 11:25 AM
My chamber is generous on the Winchester barrel, I also have .377 cast bullets and they seem to shoot ok, but my .379 was what I started with so that is what I'm staying with for the time being, any way.

303Guy
06-19-2011, 06:19 PM
Ideally the boolit should be as large as a fired and unsized case will accept but still be able to enter the throat on chambering and firing. I'm specifically not using gas checks but have yet to verify accuracy without their use. I do however, use a filler which forms a wad behind the boolit. Wheat bran is my filler of choice.

maximus11
06-20-2011, 11:54 AM
OK, thanks I think I got the idea now. Does brass length affect the chambering issue? I understand Starline makes short and long brass. Right now I just have some once fired Win factory brass. I was going to make some out of 30-30s that I have but the die set I bought didnt include the expander so I may not do that. I understand 30-30 brass comes out pretty short. IS there a simple way to determine brass length for the chamber? Do I slug the barrel or is there a way to measure it? What exactly is the advantage of a gas check. NEver used those before.

garandsrus
06-20-2011, 12:55 PM
Maximus,

You can fireform 30-30 brass to short 38-55. Use 6 gr Red Dot, a case of cream of wheat, and a piece of paper towel or toilet paper in the case throat to keep from spilling while loading. Single load the rounds and keep the rifle pointed straight up the entire time. The report will be relatively loud and can do damage so wear eye and ear protection and don't form the cases indoors.

You should be fine shooting reformed 30-30 cases.

John

Guesser
06-20-2011, 05:41 PM
You are going to be limited to an overall length of 2.55" to ensure smooth feeding out of the magazine. The long Starline cases would make for a potential problem. Stick with the standard length and/or the fireformed 30-30 cases. And the short cases will grow a little as firings accumulate.