The One and Only Rossi Rio Grande in 38-55 Win!
Based on my satisfaction with my Rio Grande chambered in 45-70, I thought this series is just begging for a 38-55 Win. I bought a new 3030B and sent it to JES Reboring to have the rifle rebore/rechambered to 38-55. Rather quickly, I packaged the rifle up and sent it to JES as I knew I would not do the work if I put much thought into. You see, after shooting it as a 30-30, I found that it would go head to head with any of my Marlins and outdo a couple of them on the initial accuracy with a wide variety of ammo.
http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/Fire...55_sightin.jpg
Using QuickLoad, I went straight to a 30.0K PSI load and it was right on the money with the velocity. My bullets are 95/5, wheelweights/tin, with some #8 shot added to increase the antimony and then water quenched. On the LBT BHN Tester then are 21 BHN. Will pump up the PSI on the load this coming week.
http://www.ranchdogoutdoors.com/Fire...1st_target.jpg
I will end up running this up to 42.0K PSI, about what a 21 BHN bullet can survive at. That will be about 2050 FPS for the 235-grain bullet, the same as my Marlin 375.
Steelbanger, Tom Myers (TMT), and I will be working on a more traditional 38-55 bullet in the 250-grain neighborhood.
Rossi is really in a great position, in that they control the total manufacturing environment, to really complement the Rio Grande product line with the introduction of rifles chambered in 32 Win Spl and 38-55 Win. They would fit nicely between the 30-30 Win and 45-70 Govt. Rossi has always seen great support form the CAS crowd and fellows interested in traditional style rifles so I think they would be well received.
How sweet would it be if the chambered their '92 in the original cartridges; 32-20, 38-40, and the 44-40 Win. I believe they would turn a lot of heads. While they are at it, they could give us an affordable 86/71 action chambered in 33 Win, 348 Win, and the 45-70 Govt. Marlin (Remington) would be wondering what hit them. I did mention this to the TALO group, in that they have done quite a bit of work with Taurus/Rossi, and even received a reply that it was a very good idea that deserved consideration!
Rossi-Rifleman