Shiloh Rifle Forums

Geologist wrote: ↑Fri Apr 08, 2022 10:39 am I used the the 38-55 Winchester 2.245" Long Basic from BACO. They are currently out of stock. It does need to be trimmed after forming. "THE Rick" -- if you are referring to the "Geologist", it is actually "The Joe".

What are they making 38 basic brass from?

How long has it been since anyone has seen any Winchester 38-55 brass in a store or online? I am starting to think maybe 30-30 brass might be a better option only because it’s much much easier to find. If I could get ahold of the fella who makes the case stretching jig I have I could get a 38 cal conversion and maybe stretch the 30-30 brass then size it down to 35 cal.

38 Winchester Basic is Winchester 38-55 stretched by BACO.

Geologist wrote: ↑Fri Apr 08, 2022 12:41 pm 38 Winchester Basic is Winchester 38-55 stretched by BACO.

Gotcha. I just converted a 30-30 case and @ a length of 2.01 it won’t even hold 50 grains of powder. 47 grains of 2F brings it right up to the top of the case so that’s probably going to be a no-go for me.

Ian - why do you need more powder? Weren't RickM's most accurate loads 44-47gr? Even accounting for the additional powder for your PP seating depth I would think 50gr would be plenty. Plus, with your "loading collar" (for lack of a better term) you should be able to squeeze in another few grains.

SSShooter wrote: ↑Sat Apr 09, 2022 3:56 am Ian - why do you need more powder? Weren't RickM's most accurate loads 44-47gr? Even accounting for the additional powder for your PP seating depth I would think 50gr would be plenty. Plus, with your "loading collar" (for lack of a better term) you should be able to squeeze in another few grains.

You might be right. I spoke to him on the phone lastnight. The if one adds the thickness of the rim then the Lucas chamber has a length of 2.088 Rick trims his brass back to 2.08. Donny Ray Rockslinger also clued me in on something and that is 32 special might be the answer. I am in the process of trying to acquire a few pieces to see what its finished length is after being converted. I am also talking to KAL tool and die about sending me a conversion for my case stretcher so that I may potentially stretch these cases if needed. I think an ideal situation would be if I could stretch the converted 30-30 case to fit the 2.08 chamber. If we could do that then brass would be plentiful and cheap. even if I could stretch it to 2.05 I think I would run with that. The 32 brass would probably stretch to that or longer so before I order the reamer I need to do some testing with some brass so that I am not in a situation where I am trying to shoot brass that is .050 to short or shorter. If I have to cut the Lucas chamber back by .050 then I wont have a problem with that and we could solve the brass issue and worse case scenario..... It would be easier to extend the chamber than it would be to shorten it

I got my hands on some 32 brass. After converting it comes up to 2.02. Hopefully we will see how much I can stretch it. Geo that’s exactly how I will be loading the paper patch ammo for this rifle.

Ian,

Talk to Jim Shride at Friendship next week. He shoots a 35 on occasion. He lurks on this forum but doesn't post.

Woody

Woody wrote: ↑Thu Apr 14, 2022 4:39 am Ian,

Talk to Jim Shride at Friendship next week. He shoots a 35 on occasion. He lurks on this forum but doesn't post.

Woody

I will do that.

I have a conversion kit for my jig coming. Hopefully in the next 3 weeks I will be able to see how much I can stretch 30-30 ,and 32 special brass

If it does not work out, I might be able to help with 200 rounds of unfired 2.083 Winchester brass.

Geologist wrote: ↑Thu Apr 14, 2022 8:40 pm If it does not work out, I might be able to help with 200 rounds of unfired 2.083 Winchester brass.

I appreciate that and may very well take you up on that.

Thanks to woody I now have over 300 pieces of brand new or once fired Winchester 38-55 brass.

Dan Theodore came up with a 35/40 Maynard cartridge first using a 12 twist shorter 38/55 case and later found a 10 twist was better and using the longer old-style 38.55 cases from Starline. I have the 12 twist and my shooting partner has the 10 twist. Both shoot very well but for some reason need to be wiped twice instead of once like all our other rifles. They also seem to like the most expensive primer,CCI br