Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots So who has worked with a Ruger #1 in .38-55?

I've had mine to the range a couple times, now. Shoots okay groups but some headaches with the sights, trying to get it to shoot to the point of aim with iron sights.

The first bullet I've tried is the .377 dia 250gr Hawk FP, which is designed for the .38-55 lever guns. The jacket is fairly thin, at .025" thick. Starline brass was chosen.

This rifle has the stock from sight on board, and a NECG rear sight. The first load I tried was 31gr of H4198, which proved too hot for the .38-55 brass; the primer pockets were loosening up with one shot. The chrono was acting up that day, but I saw one reading at 1870 fps. Point of impact was a little low, but not bad.

I backed down to 29gr of H4198, and saw a chrono reading of 1780 fps, which is only a little bit above the old .38-55 smokeless loads. The point of impact was several inches too low at 100 yards. I've used just about all the rear sight adjustment, that is available.

NECG sells a red fiber optic front sight blade, but it looks like they don't have one much lower than factory.

So at this point, it looks like I need to get my hands on .375 Winchester brass, to allow warmer loads, or bite the bullet & scope it. Suggestions are appreciated.

My No1's are both scoped. Brownell's has sights. Or ask Ruger if they have a lower sight. They might ship one out for free.


Is 0.300 lower?
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/sights/front-sights/ruger-rifle-front-sights-prod31835.aspx

Without taking it off the rifle, it's about .350 high. I'd like to get one .250 high, with a 1/16" bead.

FWIW, my Low Wall .44 mag hits much higher with low velocity (1000 fps or so ) loads with Trail Boss and lead bullets than with fast jacketed loads. Maybe, if you're mainly concerned with hitting to the sights, slower is the way to go.

My notion is that .38/55s and the like are at their best when used at their original velocities, not magnumized into something else. In their day, the high-speed loads were considered hot moose and black bear medicine, but
target shooters using cast bullets operated at much lower speeds. Just like the .32/40, there are really two .38/55s, the hunting round and the target version.

The original bead sight on my Low Wall would be okay for hunting, but isn't the best for targets. I replaced it with a Skinner blade, which I'll eventually cut down to allow me to shoot full power hunting loads, then adjust the tang peep for targets. As it is, the low power plinkers are dead on at 50 yards, and it's really pleasant to shoot.