38-55 or 375?

[tdoyka]

next year i'm thinking of going to either 38-55 or 375 win. my tc encore is telling me that i need a new barrel from mgm. since i am just starting i think it will be a 23-25" heavy factory barrel and the distance will be about 150yards for deer and black bear. the boolit will be a 235gr ranch dog. i haven't decided on what kind of scope/red dot yet. so what should i choose? the 38-55 or the 375 win.

any help will be apperciated. thanks!!!

[madsenshooter]

Interesting cartridge choice. One should be able to get them to feed out of a Krag without too much trouble. I was thinking of doing that as the two are now legal in Ohio. I'd have to look up dimensions before deciding which one to attempt. Also have to consider brass availability.

[tdoyka]

the brass wouldn't be much of a problem, i can wait for it. theres only 200fps or so between 38-55 and 375. lucky for me, MGM just "happens" to build either rifle for my encore. i was going to build a 500 s&w but i decided to go to medium calibers. to go from the 308 series straight to the 444 marlin and 45-70, i'm sort of missing a cartridge.

[EDG]

For the 250 gr or so lead bullets the 12" twist of the 375 is a dog. Right now original 375 cases bring $3.00 each at auction sites. You might get a .375 with a chamber suitable for cut off 38-55 brass or expanded .30-30 brass. But be sure to use a proper lead bullet twist. I think Winchester just specified the 12" twist because it was the standard for the .375 H&H.

The .38-55 SAAMI drawings are messed up so you need a special reamer to make a good chamber. The correct groove diam for the .38-55 is about .377 to .379. You would probably prefer a .375 groove dia with a 14" to 18" twist instead of the jacketed bullet twist of the .375.

[45-70 Chevroner]

I have had the 375 in the TC and a Big bore Winchester. I liked them both, the funny thing is the TC had a pretty long chamber as the 38-55 would drop right in and shoot as well as the 375. My personal preference would be the 38-55. I can guarentee you can load either one up to the point that you won't like the recoil. Especially in a single shot as light as an Oncore, even with a full bull barrel.

[Artful]

One thing to consider the 38-55 case 2.219 is longer than the 375 big bore 2.020 - if you can't get brass from either you can fireform from 30-30 cases 2.039
- but the 30-30 case will not make full length 38-55 case length when fireformed.

Myself I chose - Win big bore 94 in 375 - Ruger #3 in 375 - Contender barrel in 375 big bore.

[6.5 mike]

I have both, using the lee 250 fp lubed or pp'ed works very well for me.

[dh2]

I would be for the .375 Win. it does not have the pressure questions of the 38-55 do to it's age . Ammo is too scaled back over all of the old rifles out there that shoot it. The 45-70 has the same issue

[JFE]

A 375 groove diameter will be easier to feed, whether that be cast or jacketed. I have a Win94BB in 375 and, despite the fast twist, it's accurate with 250 gr cast and 200 gr jacketed but it mostly gets fed 300 gr cast. The deep rifling helps I guess. FWIW 375 Win chambers seem to be able to chamber 38/55 brass, though I haven't tried the really long Starline 38/55 brass (they make 2 lengths).

If you were looking for ideas, I'd suggest a 375 groove bbl cut with a 38/55 reamer. This would give you the ability to use 38/55, 375 or opened up 30/30 brass. The 38/55 chamber has a more cast friendly throat, whereas a 375 throat is quite long and wide. If you were limiting yourself to lighter bullets, then perhaps consider a slower twist but the 12" twist seems to work fine and gives you the option to use heavy pills.