All these new Winchesters!!

[chromecrow]

Well now we have all these flashy new winchesters to think about (dangerous). It seems like the 38-55 may be one of the hot "new" chamberings. The 26" barrel Legacy has a 1-15 twist that I think I understand. The 20" barreled Trails End versions have a 1-26 twist. Wonder why? Would a 1-26 twist be good for cast boolits in the 250-275g range or maybe it would be better suited to those short little 200g j-bullets that the factory will load? What says ye? John.

[Trailblazer]

I think whoever wrote those barrel specs doesn't know what twist is in the 38-55's going down Winchesters assembly line.

[felix]

This will work very well in a 375 something in 26 twist. I played around with the figures to make the boolit stable and look more than half way like someone would expect for this caliber. We need someone (45-2.1) to draw it out and perhaps make it look even better. ... felix

[felix]

Let's try again for specs. ... felix

[BlueSmoke]

Just thought I'd post some range reports about the Trails End Hunter 38-55.

My rifle has a 1 in 26" twist.

Laser Cast 240gr plain base .380 dia work well. Rounds will cycle through the action when crimped in the groove. Rifle loves 17gr of 5744 under this bullet. Chrono avg 1225 fps. 1 1/2 groups at 100yds. Open sights, 40+ year old eyes.

Tried two condom loads. First was a complete failure. Sierra 200gr FN .375 dia. Bullets hit the paper sideways at 25 yds. Too small dia. I only tried them after a Sierra tech said many people use them in their modern 38-55's with great success.

The second is the Barnes Original 255gr .377. Nice long bullet. Used 34gr IMR 4895.
Chrono avg 1708 fps. 2" groups 100yds. No keyholeing.

Sights on the rifle are nice. Small brass bead in front. Enough adjustment for both loads.

I don't have a mould yet for the gun. I'm considering the Lee single cavity and will definately buy the group six holer if it becomes a reality.

This winter I plan to go to Michigan to take a Russian Boar to turn this rifle into a legitimate Leadhead Meatgetter.

Leverguns Rule

Regards,

BlueSmoke

[Beau Cassidy]

The trails end looks good but I would reeaaaallly like to see one in .348. Maybe if it were the new takedown gun like this...

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=534&type_id=131&cat=003C

Beau

[Four Fingers of Death]

The trails end looks good but I would reeaaaallly like to see one in .348. Maybe if it were the new takedown gun like this...

http://www.winchesterguns.com/prodinfo/catalog/detail.asp?cat_id=534&type_id=131&cat=003C

Beau

No matter how many guns I get, some sod comes out with another 'must have.' I'm well on the way to dying gun rich and money poor.

[45 2.1]

The 1:26 twist is more traditionally for the 38-55 in which I have ran up to 335 gr. slugs at very low velocities with excellent accuracy. The 1:12 twist is generally for the 375 H&H, in which all the bullet weights shoot good, but is hard on lead above 2000 fps. Now the 1:15 thru the 1:18 twist are being used by the BPCR people for their silouhette game and they are 335 to 365 gr. bullets at blackpowder velocities. Not too much can go wrong in any part of this range, depending on what you are trying to do, at least i've not had any stability or accuracy problems here.

[Trailblazer]

Bluesmoke, have you actually measured the twist in your 38-55?

Reason I ask is I have a Win 94 in 444 Marlin. The Winchester catalog and the paperwork that came with the rifle claim a 38" twist. My rifle actually has a 26" twist and Winchester also reportedly made some with a 12" twist.

[Dutch4122]

The paperwork that came with my Winchester Black Shadow .444 listed the twist as 1 turn in 12."

[Buckshot]

The 1:26 twist is more traditionally for the 38-55 in which I have ran up to 335 gr. slugs at very low velocities with excellent accuracy. The 1:12 twist is generally for the 375 H&H, in which all the bullet weights shoot good, but is hard on lead above 2000 fps. Now the 1:15 thru the 1:18 twist are being used by the BPCR people for their silouhette game and they are 335 to 365 gr. bullets at blackpowder velocities. Not too much can go wrong in any part of this range, depending on what you are trying to do, at least i've not had any stability or accuracy problems here.

.............You're right on the twist's. Same problem as the Swede's 7.8" twist. My 375-06 AI has a 12" twist. A bugholer with FLGC, cast lead isn't to shiny above 1700 fps (268gr Lyman). Have shot some 328 and 352gr cast (NEI) slugs to 2100 fps and they make better use of the twist. Five round groups of 2.5 - 3.5" at 100 yards vs being unable to even FIND the lighter slugs on the target.

My Martini chambered in .444 Marlin has a Douglas 16" twist (44 mag pistol type?). Again it's a fantastic shooter with jacketed. Accuracy with cast takes a dive into the crapper at 1600 - 1700 fps (310gr Lee).

.....................Buckshot