.38-55 shell length: Which one?

[TRG3]

I recently purchased a single-shot H & R 1871 rifle in .38-55 caliber. I have both the Starline 2.082" and 2.125" length brass. When using a dummy round, both will chamber by barely seating the bullet into the mouth of the brass, inserting the round into the chamber, and carefully closing the rifle's action thus allowing the bullet to seat itself and end up barely touching the lands. I plan to back off the bullet's seating depth by just a tad (app .0020") as suggested in other posts by those who reload. I'll probably be reloading with Unique, IMR 4198, or Reloader 7, possibly using Swiss 2F or 3F later on. This rifle will be used for whitetail deer hunting with shots at 100 yards or less. Based on the above information, any recommendations as to which brass length would be preferred to reload? Thanks.

[Michael J. Spangler]

Does this help?


https://www.starlinebrass.com/articles?id=2540

[Chill Wills]

Just a guess here, but if the longer 2.125" brass is sized, expanded and the case mouth opened to seat lead bullet ... will chamber without stopping short, - about a rim thickness short, you have the correct brass in the chamber. Use that original length brass.

The next question is, what is the barrel bore and groove? The original 0.380" groove and the modern 0.375" -0.376" ?

[Doog-Meister]

I have the same rifle. I use the 2.125 brass. The grooves are rather large. I find that the Lyman 380681 in a 50-50 mix of no. 2 alloy and Lead lubed with Orange magic works quite well. Use a mid-range load of IMR3031.

[warren5421]

I use the 2.125 brass. I can't get Unique so now use 4198 as recoil is less than 3031. I also use either Swiss FFg or Goex FFFg. I use a 236 gr postel bullet.