Pedersoli .38-55 Highwall BPCRS Rifle

[Dragoon 45]

I saw a review of this rifle in the last issue of Black Powder Cartridge News. From what I read it sounded like possibly a good choice for BPCRS. But I hate to take just one source into consideration when thinking about purchasing a rifle.

As I understand it, because this rifle has an oversize bore .381, it is kind of hard to find molds for bullets to fit the bore. Also the chamber is cut to the original dimensions, so brass may be hard to find (I checked Starline who is supposed to be making the longer original dimensioned brass and everytime I looked it was out of stock). Also I contacted one of my local gunshops, and they could not find anyone who is handling this rifle. Who imports it? Dixie Gunworks lists a .38-55 Highwall from Pedersoli, but the specs on their rifle does not match the specs from the article in BPC News.

I have been told this is becoming a very popular rifle on the West Coast for BPCRS, but have not been able to find any evidence to prove that.

On the plus side, a .38-55 able to shoot a 400 grain plus bullet at 1100-1200fps accurately should be a capable rifle for BPCRS. My .40-65 is starting to wear on my shoulder, due to some recent surgery, so I am considering a .38-55.

Is anyone shooting one of these rifles? Do they live up to the reviews?

Thank You.

[Gunlaker]

I can't help regarding the rifle, but I suspect that Starline has made another batch of the .38-55 long brass. It took me several months of waiting, but I just received my order today in the mail.

Chris.

[Boz330]

You are going to need a pretty fast twist to stabilize a 400gr slug in a 38 barrel. If money isn't an obstacle why not get a C-Sharps highwall, you won't be sorry. Another thought would be a 38-50RH. I shot silhouettes with a 350gr 40 for awhile and had no problems and a boolit in that weight should be pretty easy to find and a 14 or 15 twist should spin it OK.

Bob

[Jon K]

I don't that Pedersoli has a fast enough twist to stabilize a 400gr Boolit. Probably need 12-14 twist to do that.

The Pedersoli 38-55 I had was an 18 twist.

Jon

[Gunlaker]

I don't that Pedersoli has a fast enough twist to stabilize a 400gr Boolit. Probably need 12-14 twist to do that.

The Pedersoli 38-55 I had was an 18 twist.

Jon

The new ones are much faster. I believe they are 1:12!

The C. Sharps rifles use 1:15 twist badger barrels. I've got one of those on the way some time this year. Mostly for use as an offhand shooter with BP.

Chris.

[Dragoon 45]

The review in BP Cartridge News said the Rifle had a 1-12" twist. The rifle is manufactured around the idea of shooting 400 grain plus bullets. I don't understand why they went to a .381 bore though vs. the .379?




The new ones are much faster. I believe they are 1:12!

The C. Sharps rifles use 1:15 twist badger barrels. I've got one of those on the way some time this year. Mostly for use as an offhand shooter with BP.

Chris.

[montana_charlie]

Who imports it? Dixie Gunworks lists a .38-55 Highwall from Pedersoli, but the specs on their rifle does not match the specs from the article in BPC News.
This rifle at Dixie is one of the Pedersoli 38/55's.
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=15307

You can also get Pedersoli products from flintlocksetc (dot com), and at Cherry's (where you can see the model not shown at Dixie) on this page http://www.cherrys.com/ped_cart.htm


Is anyone shooting one of these rifles? Do they live up to the reviews?
Those (few) who have posted say they get good results with the Pedersoli Hiwall, including those in 38/55.

The chamber drawing initially used by Pedersoli for the 38/55:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=88&pictureid=4158

The bullet designed by Dan Theodore for the Pedersoli 38/55:
Paul Jones can cut a mould for it.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=88&pictureid=4159

CM

[358wcf]

Fear Not!
If you need a larger diameter boolit, just send your mold to Erik at Hollowpoint Mold Service, discuss w/him your needs, and he will "open up" your mold to drop your boolits at the size you desire! He is an outstanding craftsman and provides excellent service at very reasonable pricing to boolit casters- a fine young man!

Chuck
358wcf

[Dragoon 45]

I finally got a chance to call Dixie yesterday. The Pedersoli Highwalls they have in stock are not the rifles reviewed in BP Cartridge News. According to the lady I talked to Dixie has no plans to import the rifle. They will order rifles from Pedersoli, but the price will be north of $2500 and will take a number of months to get to the buyer.

This was not what I wanted to hear. A C Sharps Highwall is looking better and better.


This rifle at Dixie is one of the Pedersoli 38/55's.
http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=15307

You can also get Pedersoli products from flintlocksetc (dot com), and at Cherry's (where you can see the model not shown at Dixie) on this page http://www.cherrys.com/ped_cart.htm


Those (few) who have posted say they get good results with the Pedersoli Hiwall, including those in 38/55.

The chamber drawing initially used by Pedersoli for the 38/55:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=88&pictureid=4158

The bullet designed by Dan Theodore for the Pedersoli 38/55:
Paul Jones can cut a mould for it.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=88&pictureid=4159

CM

[Boz330]

For that price you should be able to get into a C-Sharps. If you want the 12 twist it would probably be a special order. Their standard 38 twist is 15. IMHO if you are going to a 12 twist barrel the 38-55 case really limits the amount of powder you can get in it, if your intention is to do LR. For silly wets it would work fine though.

Bob

[bullshot]

Dragoon45
Cherry's Fine Guns lists the Pedersoli High Wall in 38-55 for $1900.00.http://www.cherrys.com/ped_prep.htm
I have one of the first rifles to come into the USA. The bore on mine measures .379.5 and it does have a 1-12 twist. The 2.125 length cases can be had from Starline or some places that handle their products (Buffalo Arms, Track of the Wolf).
It shoots reasonably well with Lyman's #378674. I have not spent a lot of time with the rifle as yet because of other priorities. Also I have only shot smokeless in it so far. I am happy with the rifle as far as fit and finish.
If you want to know anything else about it PM me and I'll be happy to try and help.

[L Ross]

I guess I'm curious as to how a 400 gr .380" bullet can have less recoil than a 400 gr. .408" bullet.
Just asking?

Duke

[lkydvl]

velocity

[Crash_Corrigan]

Ditto on Starline. They presently are selling 38-55 Brass in the shorter and the longer length styles. The shorter ones are a mite cheaper than the longer ones. I just ordered 250 cases and the price to my door is about $135 for 250 cases.

H&R makes a Target Classic tip up rifle in 38-55 and the one I have requires a .380 to .381 dia boolit. It is pretty accurate with Swiss 1 1/2 blackpowder and a loading of 34 grains under a 250 grain boolit moves at 1150 FPS. Soft recoil and I only have to swab the barrel after 5 five shots.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I have a Pedersoli Hiwall and invested in a Paul Jones 360gn Creedmoor bullet to take advantage of the 1:12 fast barrels.

The long starline brass required annealing first, then I found that the virgin case would only hold 46.5gn Swiss No.2 (3FFF) and still be able to seat the projectile to touch the lands.

Once fireformed there is quite a bit of expansion and the reloaded case will hold a full 50gns of powder. Paul altered his design to give the bullet .371 nose, bands 1 & 2 .373, middle band .375, and the two base bands .380 when cast 1:30 alloy.

Work commitments have not allowed me to range test it as much as I would like but on paper, call a 10 and it will be a 10. I shot a full 40 round off hand gong shoot at 200yds which was rather embarrassing for the other competitors (39/40). The classic model has a higher comb and is perfect height for use off-hand.

Properly tuned, this is a surpurb production 'Target" rifle from Pedersoli and worth every dollar:Fire: BTW the all up cost here was $AU4000 including LR sights, bullet mould, dies & cases!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/38001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v152/BAWallace/Picture007-3.jpg

[montana_charlie]

Properly tuned, this is a surpurb production 'Target" rifle from Pedersoli and worth every dollar:Fire: BTW the all up cost here was $AU4000 including LR sights, bullet mould, dies & cases!
And, I see that you obtained your results using a Pedersoli #431 tang sight.

CM