H&R Buff classic rear sight ??

[Cactus Cris]

Got me a buff classic in 38-55 that has the barrel mounted peep sight.  Was told that is isn't SASS legal for LR.  Just asking---WHY???
Anyway need a blade sight to replace  it.  Want a full buckhorn if available.  Can't find one in Brownell's so far.
  Loading a 240 Big Lube with 38 gr. 2f Schuetzen.  Should work.

[Missouri Marshal]

I don't know "WHY" but this is the rule for long range rifle rear sights from the SASS Handbook.

Rear sights must either be open iron sights mounted on the barrel or original style tang or
stock wrist mounted peep sights. Long range rear barrel mounted sights of the flip-up
ladder type may use a peephole drilled through the sliding sight leaf. An example of this is
the various ladder type sights used on the Springfield trapdoors.

I have one and haven't been happy with it.  When we got it I tried .377 245gr LRNFP, they were keyholing and flying all over the place.  Slugged the barrel and found out it was a .380.  Loaded some .380 245gr LRNFP and they wouldn't chamber, the chamber was too small.  Sent the gun to Old Scout and he reamed the chamber so I could us the bigger bullets(by the way he does great work, very reasonable price and has a really fast turnaround time.).  Well the .380 now chamber and don't keyhole but I'm lucky to hit a 18" target at 200yds.  I probably need at least .381 bullets but haven't found a supply for them and I haven't gotten around to getting a mould to cast them.  Been real frustrated with this gun. Been tempted ta wrap it around a tree more than once.  Just my experience with this gun, hope yours is better but the large bore/small chamber is a common problem with this gun.  From what I hear the 47-70 version doesn't have any of these problems.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Try Montana Precision Swaging for a .381 dia. bullet. I use their 265g RNFP in BP alloy in my 1893 Marlin with a .381 dia. bore. Soft enough to bump up on firing, but no leading when kept to a reasonable velocity( IE: closer to BP speeds). I believe Cabellas has them as well as possibly Midway. They can be direct ordered from Montana as well............Buck

[john boy]

Chris, here's a buckhorn - ladder sight for the H&R ... http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=18735&title=WESSON+%26+HARRINGTON+LONG+RANGE+SIGHT

Also, you may want to try 42gr FFg and a thin fiber wad under that bullet.

With the Smith ladder and increased powder under the Big Lube ... you'll have fun out to 300 yards. Give it a try at 500yds too - I have.  You won't hit the rams every time, but it's a grin when you do 

[Springfield Slim]

Missouri: I bought my 38-55 H&R from someonw who was having the same problem as you. He was using a .377 HARD bullet and it wouldn't hit squat. I have the Big Lube(tm) 38-55 mould so I tried them at .380, but I had to be VERY careful with the crimp or they wouldn't chamber. Might get Old Scout to cut it one day, would make it much easier to load for. But I was able to hit the big Buffalo target our club has 6 time out of 10 at 285 yards, offhand. Still need to put it on paper at 200 yards to see what it is really doing. Maybe you just need a softer bullet.

[Cactus Cris]

I shot mine with some .378 Big lube that Mason S. had & it shot fine.  Have not been able to go out & try some of mine as yet.  Maybe this week end.

[john boy]

Here's my experiences with the H&R Target Model 38-55:
The barrel:
•   Bore – 0.373 and 0.379 grooves per H&R
•   My rifle: 0.374 and 0.378  ... 0.002 groove depth which is real shallow

The chamber:
The known problem with this rifle - case diameter is too small.  So, I was one of the first to have Old Scout ream it out to 0.384 so I could shoot a 380 bullet with having a pregnant case

The bullet:
With the shallow groove of 0.002, I went from 1:30 to 1:20 to 1:10 and WW's + 1% tin.  Found that the barrel liked the harder bullets WW's with the 1:10's coming in 2nd using a 380 base.  Shoots the Big Lubes -  the Saeco 571 - the Lyman 378674 and the Lee 379-150