38-2.5, Swaging 30-40 Krag Brass

[lkydvl]

Was looking for a 38 cal. cartridge for a Rem Rolling block and came across a reamer in 38 2.5. Fella said it was made for a group of guys out in the NW that made the cases by swaging 30-40 Krag brass down a bit in the head area. Can anyone provide me a contact point with these shooters or sources of the dies they used or even some ready made cases and info?

Thanks

Andre`

[13Echo]

Sounds like it may be a version of the .38-50 Hepburn. Dan Theodore has done some considerable work with this cartridge and has a reamer design that calls for a 2.5"case. The case can be formed from 30-40 Krag or .303 British cases.

Jerry Liles

[4060MAY]

I shoot a 38-50 Rem on a CPA 44 1/2 and a Remington Hepburn.
both barrels are 1-12 twist

I have never sized the heads of the 30-40 Krag brass

My reamer was designed for the Krag brass.

If you use 303 Brit brass it may be short, which isn't as much a problem with smokeless as with Black Powder.

I have used the Lyman 330gr with some success.

you didn't imply black or smokeless.

[JeffinNZ]

I have a .38-303; .303 cases blown out to .375 cal. Shoots GREEEATTTTT. This is 100m.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/38303group.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/38303.jpg

[4060MAY]

I was thinking about your post 38 2.5
the longest case I can get with a 30-40 Krag consistently is 2.25" a 2.5" case would be a 38-90 made from 40-70 Sharps cases or .405 Win trimmed to 2.5"

who made the reamer? if Dave Kiff he will have the reamer print, just email him at Pacific Tool and Gage.

HTH

[Jon K]

Ditto what 4060MAY said, and even if you got the reamer for free, you would lose any cost savings in cost of dies and brass.

Consider the 38-55 or 38-50 Remington Hepburn, dies and brass are available, and won't break the bank. I am making my 38-55 into a 38-50 Remington Hepburn. Reamer should be here any day now. Got it from Dave Manson.

I believe the 38-2.5 is made on 38-90 brass(3.25) available @BACO $5.03 ea(that will make your head swim)

Jon

[Boz330]

Jeff,
How much BP are you gettting in the 38-303?
I have a buddy that built a 38-50 for his daughter and he can get over 70 gr in it with the long bore rider boolit, from Brooks I believe. His is a 15 twist and does well with a 1.3" boolit but not anything longer. Probably have to go with a 12 twist for anything past 600yds.

Bob

[13Echo]

OOOPs. You're right. .38-50 is 2.25" for the Theodore reamer.
Jerry Liles

[JeffinNZ]

Jeff,
How much BP are you gettting in the 38-303?
I have a buddy that built a 38-50 for his daughter and he can get over 70 gr in it with the long bore rider boolit, from Brooks I believe. His is a 15 twist and does well with a 1.3" boolit but not anything longer. Probably have to go with a 12 twist for anything past 600yds.

Bob

60gr 1.5Fg (Swiss) compressed 0.350. 70 is possible but I would need to breech seat.

[lkydvl]

Thanks for the replies. It is from PTG. Spoke with him and he recalled the info as I had related above. Was hoping some one in that group would chime in. The reamer is very reasonable but as was noted the dies would be expensive. The brass was swaged 30-40 Krag. If I could purchase some reformed brass from someone I would consider the 38 2.5.

I was originally going to reject it as it wouldn't be "legal" in BPCR but I'm unlikely to ever compete anyway.

Andre`

[lkydvl]

OK so where does one get a "Theodore" 38-50 reamer? Is anyone willing to rent one? With an appropriate deposit of course.

Andre`

[13Echo]

Go to this address. It should answer your questions

http://www.bpcr.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2792&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

Jerry Liles