38-55 BRASS

[srussell]

can you guys tell me what you gain by using the long 38-55 brass over the short? im going to get some more the ones i have now are short but i can chamber the long. im shooting the H&R target rifle. the reason i ask is that im going to order a new mould and it could make a diff. thinks bill

[quickdtoo]

Depends on when your barrel was made, those made in late 2006 and 2007 by Marlin before they were discontinued had properly sized chambers with necks that will accept bullets sized to fit the .379" bore, most older barrels had undersized chambers and even bigger bores. The late barrels will accept the long brass loaded with .380" bullets with no problems, older barrels needed to be neck reamed to accomplish the same, specially if they require .381" and bigger bullets to shoot well.

Tim

[srussell]

my barrel was made in 2007 hx prefix its had the chamber reamed and i load .381 cast boolets. they shoot so so the main reason i ask about the longer brass is im going to have veral make me a mould want all my brass the same. does this make since to you guys need all the help i can get on this one thinks bill

[gcrank1]

Have you tried changing the alloy of the bullet? And what are your bore/groove dimensions?

[srussell]

i guess Tim what i would like to know can you get any more speed out of the long brass more powder space)? i have some of both but it needs replaced and as long as im getting brass and a new mould made just thought i would look at all the angles. the reason it shoots just so so now is becouse of the under size mould. yes i have beagled it and it does better but this rifle will do lots better with the right bullet. thinks for the help

[quickdtoo]

I get 2375fps with 220g .379" jacketed at 2.548" and 1850fps with 325gr .380" gas checked cast at 2.850", both using 375Win data in my 2007 38-55 H&R Target, just depends on how long you can seat the bullets so you can take advantage of the extra brass length.

Tim

[gcrank1]

Well, FWIW, today I shot mine to dial in a 'new' old El Paso Weaver K-3. At 50yds. out back, off Caldwell bags filled with 'cat litter', it (an '06 if I remember right) will pile one onto another. This out of fire formed 30-30 brass and a.379 Lyman No.2 alloy, bevel base 245gr bullet, over 18.0 gr IMR 4227 and old Alcan LR primers.
Over at the sand wash out at 140yds it will land in relatively the same spot, offhand, if I dont mess up.
Im taking it to a friendly 'scheutzen match' against multi-thousand dollar rifles and some real shooters and expect to do OK.
Im thinkin' the longer brass isnt likely to do ME any better, but if I stumble on a few cases I suppose Id try them.

[quickdtoo]

I forgot to post groups, also forgot the velocity on the 325gr cast, shot at 100yds. 

Tim