Randge day! Some sucess with the 38-55 and a new shooter!

[2ndovc]

Plan is to get to the range at least once to week. So far it's working.

Got out with the 38-55 and the nifty new
.577 Enfield Musketoon I bought from awp101.


Couldn't wait to got out and shoot the Enfield so I started with that.
A couple different sources suggested 60 grains of FFG and a patched round ball.
I started with 40 grains of FFG and an patched .570 Speer RB offhand just to see
where it was going to go.
Next five shots went into a 3" group about 7" high at 50 yds. with a six o'clock hold.
should be about 3" high at 100 ( best guess). Sights are a small rear tangent and an
inverted V front. Really not much adjustment. Fortunately windage is right on!
I've had several BP rifles but I had more fun with this than any of the others.
Can't wait for a warm sunny afternoon where I can really have some fun with it!
Center target was shot with the Enfield. Powder was American Pioneer FFG.
Was the only FFG that I could find. I'd never heard of the stuff before but it's
the cleanest PB substitute I've ever seen.

I did have some sucess with my Grandfather's .38-55 and the elusive cast bullet load.
Left target was 23 Grains AA 5744. 9" five shot group but at least it was on the paper!
Second batch was much more promising. 28 grains of Varget and the same 245 LFP.
First two shots were a little low but into 1/2" !!
Four more went into 2" ! This rifle is all about the velocity. Keep it under 1600 fps. and
all is good.

Shot until I couldn't feel my fingers anymore. Was having too much fun. That
Enfield is a BLAST! Thanks Andrew!!!

jb

[TedH]

That Enfield looks fun. Sounds like a day well spent.

[Borregos]

A good way to spend the day for sure

[Sixgun]

Jason,
Your smokin' now! My 38-55's like 1300-1500. 21 grains of 5744 with a 270 gr. cast gc is my summer load. Cold weather (25 to 35 degrees) gets a grain more---real cold weather gets 2 extra grains.

I know you know enough to be shooting the right size bullets. If your barrel is straight with decent rifling, it should shoot into 3" @ 100, all day long, assuming your eyes are good and your holding steady. A nice sharp barrel will do half that out of a levergun.

One of the biggest problem with old rifles (assuming ammo is correctly loaded with the proper size bullets) is the crown. Because of the blackpowder, corrosive priming, and hard use, the oldtimers were crazy about cleaning. They did it from the muzzle with dirty iron cleaning rods, usually not paying attention to the ends of the lands.

I've had excellent luck by having a 'smith chuck the barreled action in a lathe, facing off about a 1/16"- 1/8", then putting a very slight crown on the end, similar to the original factory crown. On a well used rifle, this is not noticeable, especially after a years worth of lead being shoved down the bore and handling of the rifle.-------------------Sixgun

[2ndovc]

I'm getting there!
I did slug the bore. @ .378" Bullets are .379, I have to seat them a little above the
crimp groove to get them to feed right.

The best thing about this rifle: Not much finish on the outside but the bore is like new! Crown looks good.
I'm going to back off the Varget load a grain or two. Still think it's runnig
a little hot but I don't see any signs of excessive leading.

jason

[C. Cash]

Those are some fine looking shooters. Glad your having fun with them!

[awp101]

Jason, I'm glad you like it! I'm even happier that it's being put to the use it was designed for!

3" high at 100yds would explain why troops were told to aim low.

[kimwcook]

That's a nice looking Winnie you got there.

[Jaguarundi]

Nice rifles and report. What year is the Winnie?

[2ndovc]

Nice rifles and report. What year is the Winnie?

The Winchester dates to 1907.. No idea how long my Grandfather owned it. He
had a few he hung on to . The others came and went. If it was a good deal he bought it, didn't matter what it was. Other than the working guns that were around the farm house I didn't what he had until shortly before he passed away. He called me and wanted me to come vist because he had some stuff he wanted to talk about.
Took me down the basement and opened up a big pine crate. There was a lot of junk but in between were some good old Winchesters. He wanted me sell off the junkers and to look after the Winchesters. I remeber a big old nickle plated Single Action Army that he'd had when I was little but that was nowhere to be found. Must have traded it off.

I sure miss that Old Man! Certianly was one of a kind!

jb

[2ndovc]

Jason, I'm glad you like it! I'm even happier that it's being put to the use it was designed for!

3" high at 100yds would explain why troops were told to aim low.

Thanks again Andrew! Really had a blast with it. I kept shooting until couldn't feel my fingers anymore. Couldn't pick up the caps and put them on

Now if I can just find a bayonet. I'll be ready for next muzzle loader season

jb

[RIHMFIRE]

Nice look'n 38-55

[Ysabel Kid]

Excellent report - looks like a lot of fun!