H&R 38-55 Win. surprises....any more?

[Boxlock]

What other surprizes do I have in store with this rifle....I figure some of you have been all through it and I can save myself some frustration.

I purchased a H&R Target Model in 38-55 Win. thinking it would be my ticket into membership, and many hours of cast bullet reloading and shooting, at our local antique firearm club's range where they only allow cast bullets and cartridges that were originally introduced with black powder, although you are not required to use black powder.  And some association with some of the nicest folks in the world by the way.  I also planned and was excited about taking it to south Texas to do some hog hunting.

The rifle's serial number starts with HW272xxx indicating it was manufactured in early 2006, and that it would have the chamber/bore mismatch in size I have read so much about since, though didn't of course know at the time.
I eagerly ordered Lee 38-55 dies, W-W 38-55 head-stamped cases, several hundred .380 cal. 260 gr. gas check bullets and some Reloader 7 and got started.

Ops!!!  Loaded up approx. three rounds before remembering to check one and 'low and behold' it wouldn't chamber!  It would leave maybe a 1/4" to 3/8' protruding out the back.  I tried to force it a little, a 'no-no', even to the point of trying to close the action and leverage it in.  What that accomplished is having to find a wood dowel and hammer it back out of course.
I ordered a Lee 'Factory Crimp Die' thinking I might be able to squeeze the neck down some, without rumpling the case neck, enough to chamber but that didn't work at least as much as I was squeezing it.

Called H&R who said there was nothing wrong with the rifle, that it was all in my head, and the chamber and bore were all precision cut to specs.  They did say they would take a look at it if I wanted to send the barrel back to them though.  I called Cast Performance, who were great, to ask for a half dozen sample .378" bullets.  They told me that the rifle would probably shoot better with the .380s but sent me a whole box/100 .378s at no charge even though I didn't ask for that.

In the mean time I finally discovered online that Starline Brass, I think it had just been introduce, might solve the problem so I ordered some 2.125" and that seems to have solved that problem as the rounds chamber now with the .380.  I haven't had a chance to get out with it yet.  I'm hoping to use it for Whitetails this fall/winter.

After all that can anyone 'enlighten' me on anything else that might be 'laying low' waiting to sidetrack me going forward, I would really like to know what's out there, the peculiarities, with this rifle and cast bullets.
After all the time and frustration, to the point of putting in the back of the safe all these months and trying to forget I bought it in the first place, I really like the rifle and look forward to a long and rewarding relationship shooting and admiring it's simplicity and style.
Thanks,

Oh!  And should I still consider reaming the chamber, to I think I read .400".  Would that be of any benefit now that the .380s chamber with Starline brass?

And thanks to all that offer an opinion, it is much appreciated!

[AtlLaw]

reaming the chamber, to I think I read .400".  Would that be of any benefit now that the .380s chamber with Starline brass?

I dunno... 

I had exactly the same situation as you.  Steelbanger, who sold me the rifle, came up with the same solution you did and shot some pretty impressive groups with the rifle using bullets sized .379.  He even offered me the hundred pieces of the Starline brass he used in that rifle.  But being hardheaded I opted to ream the chamber.   

If the thinner Starline brass lets you chamber a round loaded with a .380 bullet I can't imagine any reason why reaming the chamber would make any difference other then to allow you to use W-W brass.     But then I'm sure more knowledgable folk here will let us both know if there is!   

[mccleese]

I eagerly ordered Lee 28-55 dies

Thats your problem   

[cwlongshot]

My problems with the 38-55 handi mirrored yours almost to a "T".

 I REAMED MINE .400 AFTER READING MANY POSTS AND SPEAKING WITH THE GUYS WHO HAD FOUND TO WAY TO 38-55 BLISS. It took me longer to open the reamer packaging than it did to fix the chamber!!!  NO DOOKIE!!! I was just at the range today and I'm hear to tell you this rifle just moved up in my favorites... WAY UP!!!  @ 50 yards with fact win soft points it shoots ON a quarter every time. Out @ 100 yards it will hit that same quarter every time!! That's with the factory peeps too!!!

 I shot almost a box of lead bullets I bought for the brass many moons ago when the brass was hard to find. This shot almost as well as the win jacketed stuff, but recoiled much more. My two hand loads shot almost as good as the jacketed but still better then the old hotter stuff. My loads are powder puff the jacketed factory a bit stouter and those oldies actually stiff. Remember this also has a steel butt.

There is no doubt in my mind I made the best choice and I have all members here to thank for it. GO RENT THE REAMER and you too will have a new favorite handi!!!

CW

[quickdtoo]

It depends a lot on IF .380" bullets are big enough to shoot well, most of the overbore barrels require .381" or bigger cast bullets, and you can forget jacketed pretty much unless you decide to load it to 375Win velocities.

Tim

[lonewolf5348]

I have a .3785 bore later model barrel my 38-55 with winchester brass will only let me load .379
Starline brass will let me go as high as .3815 with cast bullets I will bet I can get .382 cast in my action
my choice of powder is IMR 3031 my load goes as high as 33.5 grains no gas check flat base bullet and no barrel leading

[Boxlock]

Thanks to everyone that has responded with information, I'm sure I can get this fun looking rifle to shoot....eventually.  I plan on using it for deer this season.

lonewolf5348,
What are the two letters and first few numbers of the serial number on your 38-55.  I have a HW227xxx so mine was made in 2006, as I understand.  I'd be interested to know yours as you stated you had a "later model barrel".
As I said I can get a .380 to chamber when using Starline Brass just fine, I have the long 2.125 version.  NOT with the W-W brass though.
I just hope I don't have problems with ejection.  I plan to do as little resizing as possible, just enough to de-prime, and to put a slight taper crimp on with the Factory Crimp die.  I am thinking of using approx. 26 or 27 gr. of Reloader 7 to give it a decent push to bump it up some.  We shall see.
Thanks again,