Bought a Target Rifle

[Natty Bumppo]

and liked the round so much I've decided to re-barrel one of my Winchester 94's (.30-30) to .38-55.  Found a 26" octagon barrel for it, and am replacing the 20" magazine tube with a 25 1/2" one.  Have to replace the carbine forearm with a rifle forearm, and I'm replacing the stock so they'll match (I wanted to replace the stock anyway, becacause it has a Chevrolet commemorative medallion stuck in the side of it).  I got the rifle about 25 years ago for free when I bought a Chevy Blazer, and I've probably never shot an entire box of bullets throught it.  Know this is off topic, but since the Target Rifle was what got me into it, I thought it might be close enough.    Oh, yeah - Scottie, my daughter took her first deer, a nice little 6 point, about two weeks ago with the Target Rifle.  She dropped him at 130 steps.  I'm going to have to quit taking her hunting - she's now claimed my .243 BAR, my .270 Model 70, and my Target Rifle.   

[Badnews Bob]

Nice sounding project and good for Scottie, We need more kids afield in my opinion.

[Natty Bumppo]

Scottie is not my daughter (she's Emily), he's the guy known here as "Handirifle" that sold me the Target Rifle a couple of months ago. 

[LouisianaMan]

Good luck with your Target Rifle and .38-55 conversion project. I posted last year about my Target Rifle so won't repeat it all, but will add that I've fired my second shot "in anger' and taken a second deer with it. Doe ran 35 yards and crashed after heart shot at about 55 yards range. Penetration complete, shot was on-target. I've reloaded a few rounds of .380/260g LRNFPGC in W-W and also in Starline brass, having to pay close attention to starting the gas check into the case. Also needed to "swage" most rounds after assembly by running them partway into the sizing die, and that allows them to chamber smoothly. Velocities with H4198 ran about 1640 fps with my first load. I didn't have a chance to really test for accuracy, but they seemed to print close to factory Ten-X Game Load ammo that I've taken both deer with to date.
I love the rifle, and I love the cartridge! It gives a lot of power but still has a comfortable recoil "push," rather than a sharp rap. The rifle is so slim and handy that I really enjoy taking it into the woods. I use the factory globe sights w/front sight post insert, and I feel very comfortable with the sight picture it gives me.

[TopperT]

I'm very interested in any success while deer hunting with this rifle.  I have two of these (one "Wesson & Harrington" version - the other the H&R version)...., and its my plan to use one for hunting and one for target. 

At this time I'm in the process of having one 'cut' down to 24", having the chamber enlarged and new sights put on it as well as installing the steel trigger guard.  I had had the chamber done on the 'Target' rifle so as to allow cambering bullets of .381 to match the rifling.  I use ONLY black powder, and shortly I will be loading into Starline brass and using a Montana Precision Swagged 265 grn .381 head.  I'm also going to try out some 335 grn heads and see if what has worked for another shooter here will work for me.  The heavier heads would be better if I shoot past 150 yards, or so I believe.  The 265 grn heads would, likewise I believe, work quite nicely for deer out to 150 yards which here in New England and given my eyesight is MORE than far enough.

I have shot BP in this rifle in the past and can tell you that its a blast.....and is easy to clean up in the W&H or the H&R versions making it a lot of fun to shoot.  Now that hunting is all but over, its time to get in gear and I will now get VERY serious about my reloading and shooting now that deer season is winding down here.  If your interested I'll let you know how my "project" goes this winter.  Let me know how you make out with your project.  I too have fallen in love with the 38-55....it is soooooo smooth and with 42 grns of FF it has little recoil.....at my age I like THAT!!!!