Can a .38-55 single shot rifle be re-chambered to .375 2-1/2" NE without setting the barrel back?

The base is larger on the 375 I'm too lazy to draw it up but it looks like it would work with extractor work

The groove diameter is the problem. The 38-55 groove dia is .379 to .381. While the 375 is .375. Accuracy will really suck.

..how about the .38-72WCF?.

..how about the .38-72WCF?.

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The 38-55 groove dia is .379 to .381. While the 375 is .375. Accuracy will really suck

Well if you stayed with the cast bullets in the 375 it wouldn't work? But I can't see a reason to go to that expense and stay with cast.

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But I can't see a reason to go to that expense and stay with cast.

As usual just my $.02
Paul K

DITTO

I aggre with jens. You could go to the 38-72 which uses the same bullet as the 38-55 but finding brass might pose a problem

You can do it, as long as the bore size is taken into account. If you've got a .375 bore, you're home free.

You can also use a .38-72 reamer instead, and use cheap Hornady 405 winchester brass to form your cases. Reamers for .38-72 are available for both .375 and .379 groove diameter. Dies are readily available at lower cost than .375 nitro. The 38-72 is essentially identical to the 375 nitro express 2 1/2 in performance, same case head within a few thousandths, about .005" smaller at the base and different case taper, has a slight neck where .375 nitro has straight taper.

I have a .38-72 in a single shot, it's a great rifle. Mine is .375 size, as is my reamer which I had custom ground for it.

Another cartridge that can be used is the .375-303 British. Its dimensions are so close to the .38-72 that they can be cut with the same reamer, just chamber short to match the fireformed .303 brass. Shorten a .38-72 die or have CH4D make you a short sizer or use a bushing neck sizer.

Still another cartridge that will work is the .38-50 Remington Hepburn. Again, it can be cut with the .38-72 reamer short, and CH4D has the dies for it. Fireform the brass out of .303 british or 30-40 Krag.

Still another cartridge that will work is the .375-444, also known as the 375 JDJ.

I have a CH4D bushing type forming die that was made to make .375-444 that can be used to reload any of these cases by neck sizing only. I have used it to form cases for .38-50 and .375-303 British from the parent brass after fireforming in the .38-72. After forming the neck with this die, I can finish them in the specific cartridge dies and trim them to length.


dave

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
The groove diameter is the problem. The 38-55 groove dia is .379 to .381. While the 375 is .375. Accuracy will really suck.

I was thinking of rechambering a Ruger No3. I contacted Ruger and asked what bore and groove diameters they used for their No3 and No1 rifles offered in 38-55. Here is what they said:

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The bore size is .373-.374 and groove size is .3790-.3805

So, I guess that rules it out.

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Originally posted by Grenadier:

quote:

Originally posted by D Humbarger:
The groove diameter is the problem. The 38-55 groove dia is .379 to .381. While the 375 is .375. Accuracy will really suck.

I was thinking of rechambering a Ruger No3. I contacted Ruger and asked what bore and groove diameters they used for their No3 and No1 rifles offered in 38-55. Here is what they said:

quote:

The bore size is .373-.374 and groove size is .3790-.3805

So, I guess that rules it out.

Yep it does. Too bad the 38/55 was originally made with that bastard bore size. That has killed a lot of possibilities.

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Too bad the 38/55 was originally made with that bastard bore size.

As a long time .38-72 shooter, I beg to differ; The .38-55 Winchester cartridge is named for its 38 caliber bullet and was introduced in 1876 by Ballard. That's " Thirty Eight "........not " Three Seventy Five ".

The .375 H&H was introduced by Holland & Holland in 1912.

The 375 Winchester was introduced in 1978.

I fail to see the logic in expecting a 38 to be anything but a 38, and also it seems that the 1876 date trumps the newer "bastard" bore sizes.

Okay. The 38-55 wouldn't work out. I now have a Ruger No.3 that is factory chambered in .375 Winchester with a twist of 1 in 12". What smith has a 375 2-1/2" reamer?

This is the reamer I would cut it with, and turn the rim recess on the lathe. Just chamber to the right depth. That's what I'm planning to do with mine when I build it.

dave

I would rather use the proper 375 2-1/2" NE reamer.