1855 38-55

[barnabus]

Anybody shooting a high wall in this round? If so what you shooting and how you like it? Im wanting a Pedersoli high wall.Also is yours single or double trigger and which is original?

[Kraschenbirn]

Taylor & Co. (Uberti) Highwall here...30" full octagon barrel, single trigger, with Lee Shaver sights. Had the rifle for 8 or 9 years and it's definitely one of the most accurate I own. So far as I can determine, originals were single trigger in the 'standard' models with double triggers available as an option on 'special order' guns.

Bill

[Chill Wills]

The three things to pay attention to before you buy.
You should know, 1) How long the chamber is cut. 2.085" or 2.130". 2) what diameter is the barrel groove, 0.376" or 0.380". 3) what is the twist?

[Bohica793]

Uberti 1885 30" octagonal barrel, 2.130 chamber, .380 bore, Lyman peep. Love this thing!

[country gent]

Mine is a C Sharps arms reproduction. Its a pistol grip model with single set trigger. Barrel is Mc Gowen 1-12 twist .376 dia and 30" long. Tapred octagon.Has MVA long range tang sight with Hadley eye cup and MVA spirit level front globe. Currently is wearing a 6X MV malcomb scope. Case hardened receiver. Wood was upgraded to fancy walnut.

I am currently shooting a 360 grn Nasa bullet in it. Our matches go out to 500yds. Its never seen smokeless powder or a jacketed bullet. 47 grns of OE 2F under this bullet and a napa wad (.060) gives 1230 fps.

[WALLNUTT]

Original Winchester take down, 30" Badger heavy full octagon barrel, 15" twist, .376 grooves, 20X Lyman STS, double set trigger. Breach seated 330gr Hoch with 17.5gr IMR 4227. It's really fun to shoot. Oops,sorry. This is all about BP.

[bob208]

a real Winchester. late action has the coil springs. it was a shot out .32-40 I rebored it to .38-55. has the long chamber I use the short brass with no problems. I use the lyman 260gr. bullet and 50 gr 2f through a 24 inch drop tube. one hard card and one grease cookie.

[barnabus]

Mine is a C Sharps arms reproduction. Its a pistol grip model with single set trigger. Barrel is Mc Gowen 1-12 twist .376 dia and 30" long. Tapred octagon.Has MVA long range tang sight with Hadley eye cup and MVA spirit level front globe. Currently is wearing a 6X MV malcomb scope. Case hardened receiver. Wood was upgraded to fancy walnut.

I am currently shooting a 360 grn Nasa bullet in it. Our matches go out to 500yds. Its never seen smokeless powder or a jacketed bullet. 47 grns of OE 2F under this bullet and a napa wad (.060) gives 1230 fps.

how u like that scope

[country gent]

Well the easiest way to say it is I now have 3 of them. The plusses to the MVA malcomb and DZ are. the easy mounting on the rings simply drill and tap 4 holes on location and bolt the blocks down. Uses a posa style mount base. Adjustments are dependent on rings spacing. No springs in the adjustments . Plenty of adjustment both elevation and windage, front and rear rings have windage adjustments also. Not a cheap scope but a good looking period scope that does its job well. has parallax adjustment and a wide focus range.

[Toymaker]

I've had my Pedersoli 1885 High Wall in 38-55 for about 2 years and I'm still learning things about it. I love it. 6 grooves, 1:12 twist, 30 inch barrel, 0.3725 inch bore, 0.379 inch groove, weight 11.67 pounds which is a little heavy but balances well, 46.5 inch overall length and single set trigger. You can cast the chamber, it's an interesting and informative exercise. However, Pedersoli recommends the use of the 2.125 inch cases. Starline is the only producer at this time. There's an interesting article available online by Dick Trenk, "Reloading the 38-55 for Pedersoli High Wall Rifles."
I had no luck with bullets weighing less than 300 grains. The Buffalo Arms JIM380360 M4 is a Theodore design intended for use in this rifle. The JIM380360 M3 is similar. Both are unsuitable for smokeless and ticklish when developing black powder loads. CCI Large Rifle Primer, 53 grains of Swiss 1 1/2 by weight, yes - by weight, through a drop tube. Top with a Walter's 0.03 veggie wad. The bullet is made with 20:1, SPG lube (other bees wax lubes have proven as good). Play with the compression until you get an O.A.L. of 3.25 inches (approximately 0.18 inch). It will engage the rifling. You want a velocity around 1,280 fps. Old Eynsford 2F worked well after playing with the amount a bit. Regular Goex didn't work out.
Except for TrailBoss (11.2 grains) the BACO bullets didn't like smokeless. I thought I had something with 3031 but the results couldn't be duplicated.
The Lyman 378674 lubed with Ben's Red and cast with 20:1 or Lyman #2 do very well with H4198 (24.9 grains) and Accurate 5744 (22.0 grains). IMR SR 4759 (18.0 grains) works well too but my supply of that is reserved for my 45-70.
I dabbled with paper patching but couldn't find a commercial bullet of the proper size for testing and didn't want to make the investment.
I haven't tried breech seating although a friend says it should be a good rifle for that.

The only disturbing issue I've had has been with strips .... splinters .... of lead in the first 6 inches of the barrel. It is not leading in the usual sense. These aren't smudges, they're splinters. It doesn't happen with black powder and only happens with smokeless when I experiment with a kick a$$ load. I have used pure lead and worked up to a 25 BHN alloy but can't stop it. My theory is that the bullet is stripping as it tries to engage the rifling. Maybe when the edges of the rifling wear some. Meanwhile, I'm having fun.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I bought one of the very first to come into this country approx 8 years ago. I use a Paul Jones 372gn boolit with 50gns Swiss No.2 (3FG). Easiest rifle I've ever owned to tune for accuracy!

https://i.imgur.com/FdFRkAH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/G1Y3yr2.jpg

[barnabus]

I bought one of the very first to come into this country approx 8 years ago. I use a Paul Jones 372gn boolit with 50gns Swiss No.2 (3FG). Easiest rifle I've ever owned to tune for accuracy!

https://i.imgur.com/FdFRkAH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/G1Y3yr2.jpg

is the rifle in the pic a Pedersoli?

[Bad Ass Wallace]

Yes it is a Pedersoli!

[Buckshot]

...............I bought one some years back. The distributor was Cimmaron. It was/is a beautiful rifle ......................

http://www.fototime.com/4A79DE95D6DA51F/standard.jpghttp://www.fototime.com/CC40EDB1606957B/standard.jpg


http://www.fototime.com/A75FAC00C7D6686/standard.jpghttp://www.fototime.com/E8E5DCB3AB09342/standard.jpg

The only problem was that the barrel was worthless. Cimmaron stood behind it, but I had to send it to two places. First was some gunsmithing outfit that did work for Uberti (Banana River Outfitters) in Ohio or Illinois. They re-crowned it but the barrel still had the 5 rough, 'Grabby' spots in the bore. They said these were aimed at the Cowboy Action shooters, so my accuracy issues were of no concern. Another call to Cimmaron, and they said that guy was definitely wrong :-) they said they'd for sure get a new GOOD barrel for it, and when they had one they'd let me know.

After a couple months got a call from them, and I sent it off to a place in Texas. When I got it back it was a shooting sonuvagun. It was out of my hands and/or unshootable to me for about 9 months total after I'd first got it. Word was (at that time) that Uberti had a hard time producing a barrel worth a hoot. Since now Uberti and Pedersoli (who always had a fine rep for their bbl quality) are now owned by Beretta, I suspect there are no more problems like that.

It's chambered 35-55: http://www.fototime.com/881261E4534FC9E/standard.jpg It shoots these mighty fine, but for something very simple and easy to put up, all it needs is 10 grs of Unique and the Lee 250gr plain base slug in long Starline brass.

...............Buckshot

[barnabus]

Yes it is a Pedersoli!

here that gun runs about 2k

[barnabus]

...............I bought one some years back. The distributor was Cimmaron. It was/is a beautiful rifle ......................

http://www.fototime.com/4A79DE95D6DA51F/standard.jpghttp://www.fototime.com/CC40EDB1606957B/standard.jpg


http://www.fototime.com/A75FAC00C7D6686/standard.jpghttp://www.fototime.com/E8E5DCB3AB09342/standard.jpg

The only problem was that the barrel was worthless. Cimmaron stood behind it, but I had to send it to two places. First was some gunsmithing outfit that did work for Uberti (Banana River Outfitters) in Ohio or Illinois. They re-crowned it but the barrel still had the 5 rough, 'Grabby' spots in the bore. They said these were aimed at the Cowboy Action shooters, so my accuracy issues were of no concern. Another call to Cimmaron, and they said that guy was definitely wrong :-) they said they'd for sure get a new GOOD barrel for it, and when they had one they'd let me know.

After a couple months got a call from them, and I sent it off to a place in Texas. When I got it back it was a shooting sonuvagun. It was out of my hands and/or unshootable to me for about 9 months total after I'd first got it. Word was (at that time) that Uberti had a hard time producing a barrel worth a hoot. Since now Uberti and Pedersoli (who always had a fine rep for their bbl quality) are now owned by Beretta, I suspect there are no more problems like that.

It's chambered 35-55: http://www.fototime.com/881261E4534FC9E/standard.jpg It shoots these mighty fine, but for something very simple and easy to put up, all it needs is 10 grs of Unique and the Lee 250gr plain base slug in long Starline brass.

...............Buckshot

how do u like that rear sight.would it work for 300 yards

[Buckshot]

how do u like that rear sight.would it work for 300 yards

..............The rear sight is a Marbles and for 300 yards it would be just fine. However the main issue for long (or longER ranges) is the limited windage adjustment.

...........Buckshot

[Chill Wills]

Barrel and chamber wise, it is not likely the Uberty and the Peredsoli are set up the same. Which isn't to say one is good or bad.

It is just a good example of the 38-55 with its two possible bore diameters and two possible chamber lengths. Start pairing up those four traits willy-nilly, and we have insight to why the 38-55 can trip up the unsuspecting buyer.

That Pedersoli Toy Maker and BAW have is part of the match run Dick Trenk and Dan Theodore conspired to get Pedersoli to make about 10 years ago. It is out of production, as are Dick and Dan, sadly!
Tho not a hot seller, they were one of the best (factory) set-up 38-55 M&B match rifles you could ask for. Pedersoli used to list another 38-55 before this one was in the lineup and it was a slower 18 twist rifle with a not match chamber like the Theodore rifle.
That Uberti, other than it is not the Pedersoli match rifle, I know nothing about. Glad to know it shoots well now that the barrel is up to speed!:grin:

[Gunlaker]

I have a couple of highwalls in .38-55. They are pretty enjoyable to shoot and can be very accurate if the chamber/bore/brass dimensions are set up correctly. Several years ago I started a project to build a C. Sharps version of the fast twist Pedersoli rifle. I haven't got around to the rifle yet, but might one day. If I do it will likely be a .38-50 instead though.

Chris.

[country gent]

Gunlaker, I did one of the CSharps high walls in 38-55 with the 1-12 twist. Mine has the McGowen barrel 30"long. With heavy for caliber (365 grn Old west Nasa bullets) it very accurate and easy on the shoulder. cleaning the rams at 500yds isn't a problem. I'm very pleased with mine. Mine is a touch over 11 lbs so recoil is really not an issue. It does good with the 335 grn Lyman also. I haven't tried the traditional weight bullets in it yet though

[Gunlaker]

That's interesting to hear. I've got a 1:12 twist Green Mountain #4 barrel to put on mine.

Have you ever had difficulty spotting impacts from misses? I suppose those bullets aren't much different than the 400gr bullets I use in my .40-65 though.

Chris.

[country gent]

At times on the local ranges its hard to a miss with any caliber due to grass cover. On good days the trace can be seen in the spotting scopes though. I went to a pair of 25xX100mm binoculars on a heavy stand for spotting and that really helped at 300+ much clearer and shows the trace better. They also lower my eye fatigue a lot since both eyes are working together with them. On ranges with dry dirt backstops they do show up but you have to be looking for them also. Not the splash those big 500 grn+ 45s make. LOL. The worst to see are the ones that just miss over the top and impact behind the target. The smaller splash dost always show then.

[emmett22405]

Barnabus I have the Winchester traditional sporter highwall made by Miroku (nb a pistol grip version, not the usual straight grip) in 38-55 that won an 500 yd offhand gong match match using a 250 grain bullet but the trigger pull was improved by sending the trigger sear to Lee Shaver. Lee also had to fix my Uberti 1885 DST Highwall because it never fired a round as received by me it seems the fly was not fitted properly at the factory yet the weight balance and 30 inch barrel were made for offhand shooting and as the above pic shows it looks great. As a lark had it relined to 32-40 and with the DST it is an almost zero recoil tack driver for 200 yd offhand matches. Have not shot the pedersoli single set trigger model as they are quite pricey, but have seen others do well with them also.

[Toymaker]

"I bought one of the very first to come into this country approx 8 years ago. I use a Paul Jones 372gn boolit with 50gns Swiss No.2 (3FG). Easiest rifle I've ever owned to tune for accuracy!"
BAW - - - wish I could find a Pau Jones mold, but they're held dear and locked away with the bullion. How about I send you some lead and you cast me up 50? :bigsmyl2:

[Chill Wills]

215711
You can have Steve Brooks make a copy of this DanT design using this print, maybe some other mold maker would take it on.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

BAW - - - wish I could find a Paul Jones mold, but they're held dear and locked away with the bullion. How about I send you some lead and you cast me up 50? :bigsmyl2:
Neighbour, if you lived close by I'll provide the lead and make you 500 for free:Fire:

[BRUCE MOULDS]

chill wills,
i have a 40 cal big brother to that mould.
it turned out to be a bit of a problem.
the long nose bumps up into the rifling and leads the barrel, even at 16:1.
being micro minigroove, it is designed for wiping, and this is when the leading really happens.
when blowtubing it barely leads, and shoots a lot better, but there is really not enough lube on the bullet for blowtubing.
bigger lube grooves and it would possibly be ok blowtubing.
when blowtubing the barrel of course is prelubed, so the nose will be protected.
possibly lubing the barrel as part of the wiping process might work, but this is an extra job to do, possibly within a time limit.
the bullet really wants to shoot but just cannot do it.
those mini grooves would be a good thing on a nasa bullet, improving it immensely, while still having the large groove/grooves at the back.
a bullet shaped like that that patches to bore would make an extremely good long range bullet.
keep safe,
bruce.

[Toymaker]

Spoil Sport, Chill Wills. I was looking for an excuse to go back to Australia for a visit. Then I could home with a couple of boxes of bullets and confuse the TSA agents.
Thanks, Bad *** Wallace. Unfortunately I'm not local :cry: But have wonderful memories of "Down Under" and the great people.
Bruce, an interesting observation. I know one guy who owns the mold and casts for himself and one other. They both swear by it and they're both, around here, consistent top 5 winners. I was curious and have given the VFG wiping system a try using Moose Milk and am impressed. You think this would help?

[BRUCE MOULDS]

toymaker,
i make a point of wiping clean and dry, taking the time to do this when testing for uniformity.
maybe i need to wipe differently, or leave a little soluble oil in the barrel?
keep safe,
bruce.