I've got an old Hi-Wall that has been bored out and rifled to 38-55. I just got to were I can start reloading again and went to the big city for supplies. I was tired and goofed up though. I bought Hornady .375 270 GR RN interlocks. I know these ought to go into something like a 375 H@H, but is there any reason I can't use them? (also posted in the reloading area)

I use Barnes Original .377 diameter, 255 grain JSP in my 1885 and they're very accurate. 38-55 groove diameters can vary from .376" to .380+" depending on the maker so you may need to try different diameters to see what shoots best.

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but is there any reason I can't use them? (also posted in the reloading area)

You can shoot them, but accuracy will depend on how large your bore is. SOME .38/55's are as big as .380"! These require a cast bullet of the appropriate size. But if your groove diameter is close to .375", you can shoot them with a somewhat reduced load, as they are heavier than the standard .38/55 bullet (255 grains).

But they will only be good for paper punching because they are too tough to expand much at the velocities you will be able to get!

How old ? The original BP ones had soft steel barrels and a steady diet of jacketed bullets will wear the barrel.

mete, if I remember correctly my Hi-Wall was manufactured in 1887. It started out life as a 32-20. when I bought it the bullets tumbled out the barrel so I had it fixed up to a 38-55. The new rifling is meant to handle jacketed bullets. If I do shoot the barrell out of it, at least I will have had the pleasure of shooting it. I do plan on reloading with cast bullets as well. It is not mint condition,but mechanically sound and was obvisiously carried a lot. It will look the same on the wall with a good or a bad bore. By the way, I got decent expansion with the 270 Gr Rn, better than I would have thought. 31 Gr of 4895 seemed an accurate load, at least as a starting point. I do love the balance and feel of this old gun.

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Originally posted by lost scout:
mete, if I remember correctly my Hi-Wall was manufactured in 1887. It started out life as a 32-20. when I bought it the bullets tumbled out the barrel so I had it fixed up to a 38-55. The new rifling is meant to handle jacketed bullets. If I do shoot the barrell out of it, at least I will have had the pleasure of shooting it. I do plan on reloading with cast bullets as well. It is not mint condition,but mechanically sound and was obvisiously carried a lot. It will look the same on the wall with a good or a bad bore. By the way, I got decent expansion with the 270 Gr Rn, better than I would have thought. 31 Gr of 4895 seemed an accurate load, at least as a starting point. I do love the balance and feel of this old gun.

Even mild steel is a lot tougher than any bullet jacket material in use in the U.S. today.

If you use bullets that are as big as your groove diameter, (to prevent hot gas blowby), you won't wear out the barrel due to use of jacketed bullets. It is hot powder gases that erode steel bores, NOT bullet jacket friction!

That said, if your groove diameter is over .375", you would be wise to use a cast bullet that is .001" to .002" bigger than your groove diameter.

The Lyman 375449 gascheck, sized as described above, is an excellent bullet for the .38/55 and/or the .375 Winchester. With this bullet cast of a medium-hardness alloy, sized .002" over groove diameter and lubed with the NRA formula alox lube, OR LBT Blue, you can get all the velocity a .38/55 can deliver with plenty of accuracy and no leading.

There is no point at all in shooting jacketed bullets in guns that produce up to 2200 FPS MV.

Lost Scout:
The original and correct groove diameter for the .38-55 is .379. If that is your groove diameter and you would like a few .379 jacketed 220-grain softpoints to play with, send me a PM and I will get some to you gratis.