Bufallo Clasic 38-55

Hemlock Mike · January 02, 2006, 06:16:09 PM

Got a question for you pards --

A friend of mine, after a long wait, got his Bufallo Classic in 38-55. He loaded some of my gas checked slugs and some Hornady 0.375" slugs. The lead shoots pretty good but the jacketed slugs keyhole like you can't believe

I looked down the barrel and it looks like it never saw a throating reamer. The chamber looks like one for a 45 ACP !! There's a ring in there. Is this normal ??

I have an old shot out Marlin and a newer Win 94 and my loads shoot great in both. He says his gun slugs out at 0.379" -- Is this right for this new gun ?? His loads and mine won't chamber without force.

We need help ----

Mike

Prof. Bullspit · January 03, 2006, 02:28:53 PM

An undersized chamber and an oversized bore are common in the H&R .38-55. My bore slugs out at .381.

I had a gunsmith ream the chamber to allow chambering of rounds with up to a .383 bullet and have had good success with the gun using .381 and larger bullets.

One note, I fireform the brass before loading. New factory brass is undersized and loading a .381 bullet leaves a bulge in the case with the bullet being off center. This can prevent chambering and results in horrible accuracy.

Hemlock Mike · January 03, 2006, 04:44:00 PM

Prof --

That sure describes my friend's gun. He was hopng to shoot cast and jacketed slugs in it.
Looks like a lead slinger.

Mike

Prof. Bullspit · January 04, 2006, 01:51:30 PM

I have heard that the .45-70 has a better chamber/bore relationship and shoots both cast and jacketed bullets quite well. The .38-55 is a bit finicky.

If I were your friend and really wanted to shoot both jacketed and lead I would sell the .38-55 and buy a .45-70. If your friend can be happy with just lead I would have the chamber reamed and shoot bullets sized to at least .381.

I've heard of someone having a .38-55 barrel bored out and chambered in the .405 Winchester. It worked out but was pricey at about $200.00. Another option is to sell the barrel and send the rest back to the factory to get another caliber barrel installed. The factory will do that for a decent price.

Dakota Widowmaker · January 08, 2006, 10:48:45 PM

Well, if you shoot a real soft lead bullet (like 20:1 or 30:1) and put a fair charge behind it, you can usually "bump up" the round during firing.

Also, taper crimp, don't roll crimp.

Hemlock Mike · January 09, 2006, 06:27:51 PM

He has started fireforming his cases, depriming in a 45-70 die and shooting 0.379 slugs.

It's starting to look OK but that short chamber is still a problem. May have to be throated to get it all.

Mike

Oregon Bill · January 18, 2006, 09:56:37 AM

Mike: I make swaged, jacketed softpoints in .379 just for .38-55s. These of course will not replace a proper lead slug over a dose of black, but are great for deer and antelope hunting and very accurate out of my H&R. Shoot me a PM and I will send your friend a free sample.
Oregon Bill

Prof. Bullspit · January 18, 2006, 02:35:22 PM

I want to humbly point to a little article I wrote recently about the .38-55 and bullet diameter. It can be found here:

http://www.brimstonepistoleros.com/gazette/index.html

Dakota Widowmaker · January 22, 2006, 01:50:06 AM

I am looking at a method right now for "pulling" W-W brass to the propper length of 2.129" as well as modifying the Lee case trim kit for it as well.

Hemlock Mike · January 28, 2006, 02:30:50 PM

Oregon Bill --

I got the sample slugs today. Nice job - You hold some close tollerances there.

I might even try a couple in my old Marlin too !! It has a shot out barrel but does good with .379 cast with gas checks.

Thanks again -- Hemlock Mike