Hi Wall

[WALLNUTT]

I just acquired a new to me Hi Wall. It is a take down model with the original .22 barrel with sights and a 38-55 Badger barrel with a Lyman 10x scope and sights. I know very little about the rifle except it belonged to a very experienced BPCS shooter with several 1885s. Any information anyone has would be welcomed.

[NSB]

Check out ASSRA.com It's the American Single Shot Rifle Associatioin's web site. Lots or experienced single shot High Wall experts on there if you don't get some info on here. There are a few knowledgeable experts on here as well. It's just that on that site that's all they do....and they're good at it. Sounds like a very nice gun you got there. Good luck and have fun with it.

[country gent]

There should be 2 extractors also. WHat twist is the badger barrel? If the BPCS shooter was shooting full distance matches then it may be a 1-14 or 1 - 12 twist and longer bullets will be appropriate. SOme where between 300 and 365 grns A 1-12 should stabilize bullets up to around 1.4" long. Its easy enough to check with a tight patch and cleaning rod. Should be a great rifle and very useable. Does it have any iron sights on it or with it?

[WALLNUTT]

It did come with both trigger/extractor assemblies. The twist is unknown to me but I will check it out. I believe the previous owner used bullets around 330gr. All iron sights are with both barrels with a tang sight on the rifle itself. I am not sure he used the 38-55 for steel as I think he used 45/70 and 40/60 Maynard. I believe he may have breech seated for the 38-55 at paper targets. Thanks for the replies. I will check out ASSRA.

[country gent]

CPA and some builders will stamp the twist under the forearm on the barrel. Other wise its the cleaning rod and tight patch

[bigted]

sounds interesting ... pictures man ... pictures

[marlinman93]

How did the previous owner configure the firing pin and breech block to make both .22RF and the .38-55 CF strike each cartridge? The stock extractor for a Win. 1885 High Wall takes up the whole bottom of the barrel at the chamber end, so how did they support the .38-55 cartridge to extract and support that case? We need some pictures!

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ikogmpwDH0g/maxresdefault.jpg

[WALLNUTT]

bigted, I'll try to get some pictures but can't promise. 93,I'm still learning. I have 2 complete trigger/extractor assemblies if that answers the question. I have switched and fired both barrels. I think I get the question now 93. I have 2 breech blocks(I think). I'll check.

[M-Tecs]

You must have two breech blocks or the 22 barrel is offset?

[WALLNUTT]

I just looked. I have 2 breech block/hammer/trigger/guard assemblies and extractors.

[bigted]

Sounds like a peech. Is it a low wall or hiwall?

[Chill Wills]

CPA and some builders will stamp the twist under the forearm on the barrel. Other wise its the cleaning rod and tight patch

He said it was a Badger. That would make it a 15-1 twist.
330 grain bullet would be the stable max length in that rifle. Bullets about 1.250" or maybe if it is not windy, 1.300" in length.

[Chill Wills]

All iron sights are with both barrels with a tang sight on the rifle itself. I am not sure he used the 38-55 for steel as I think he used 45/70 and 40/60 Maynard.

So, no 45-70 Gov. or 40-60 Maynard barrels - that is too bad because the 40-60 Maynard would be a very good barrel to have with the set. It is a top notch mid-range and silhouette caliber. Easy on recoil and often very accurate. I think of it something like the 308 Winchester of the old BP rounds.

[WALLNUTT]

I'm gathering tools now. I've been casting some projectiles using a Hoch nose pour at 312g in 1-20. I don't plan on using black powder. Any tips on smokeless charges/powder?

[marlinman93]

I'm gathering tools now. I've been casting some projectiles using a Hoch nose pour at 312g in 1-20. I don't plan on using black powder. Any tips on smokeless charges/powder?

Probably more load data for .38-55 Ballard smokeless loads, than there is for most great old calibers! My personal preference is 2400 and Unique in my .38-55's. A 10.0 grain Unique load with your 312 bullet is a good starting point, and you can adjust from there to get best accuracy.
For 2400 I prefer a 16.0 grain load.
The RCBS cast bullet manual lists a 20.0-22.0 grain charge of 2400 for a cast 280 grain bullet, with velocities being 1633 fps, and 1800 fps. I am not a big fan of going over 1400 fps, but just because I prefer mild loads for my shooting.

[WALLNUTT]

Thanks for the data. I was thinking along those lines. What do you think about 4198? Too slow?

[Hiwall55]

I've got a .38 badger barrel on a CPA that's 1 in 13.25 twist. It will handle 360 grain money bullets just fine.

[Chill Wills]

Good morning Hiwall55,
If it is twisted faster that 15-1 it is unlikely Badger made it.

Ernie never offered a faster twist 38 BPCR despite our requests. I've talked with him about this very thing more than once. He was unwilling to invest in the tooling because he did not believe there was reason to shoot heaver bullets in the 38. He thought you should just shoot a larger caliber. It was more than interesting to hear Dan Theodore and Ernie Stallman talking over dinner in the evenings after the days events at the 2004 World Creedmoor Assoc. championships. You were just about sure it was going to come to a brawl before it was over.

Dan, ever the innovator and Ernie, rock solid in long held beliefs.

To source faster twists in 38 CPA ha used other make barrels. It might be a case of mistaken identity or simply thinking it was a Badger. The barrels used by CPA are recorded in the handbook that comes with it, CPA records as well, linked to the action SN and you can check if it.
M. Rix

[bob208]

you do not need two breach blocks or off set the barrel. harry pope used an eccentric breach block pivot. it lowered the block just enough to strike the .22 rim.

[flint45]

The .38-55 will shoot better with black powder but I also have uesd 5744.imr 4198,sr4759 with good results.

[WALLNUTT]

I got it out a couple of days ago for a pretty good shake down. It's a lot to learn on my part as it's not quite like modern rifles especially breech seating. I shot 17.5gr of 4227 in all loads, fixed and breech seated. I did build a barrel clamp and modified my front rest that seemed to work OK.I did manage to put 4 in about 1/2 inch but the fifth was out using fixed ammo at 100yds. I have always had good results with 4198 in other rifles and I will give it a try. What is the consensus on barrel clamp vs sand bag and where do you purchase breech seaters? I have a push type but very hard to use and mostly used a borrowed lever type.

[ascast]

what molds do you have on hand?

[WALLNUTT]

I have a Hoch around 315gr and I think a Brook that is a base pour about the same weight. I have also used a bullet from a nose pour with a shorter nose but do not have the mould on hand and I didn't cast them. The moulds belong to the guy I obtained the rifle from. I can't get the Hoch to breech seat.

[Chill Wills]

I have a Hoch around 315gr and I think a Brook that is a base pour about the same weight. I have also used a bullet from a nose pour with a shorter nose but do not have the mould on hand and I didn't cast them. The moulds belong to the guy I obtained the rifle from. I can't get the Hoch to breech seat.

Does the Hoch mold cast tapered bullets or is it a two diameter design?

[WALLNUTT]

The Hoch has a slight taper but basically is 2 diam. The base pour is quite tapered which is what makes it easy to seat(I'm catching on). The short nosed bullet will also breech seat but have shot it mostly fixed.180407 L-R Hoch Brook(I think) Unk