Looking at something new that I haven't done yet and noticed some recently made Model 1885 Traditional Hunters in 38-55, these have the factory mounted peep sights on them, Marbles I think. While my eyes are still good enough I've been really enjoying clanging steel with peep sighted rifles, but it's getting rather hard to find new rifles with a) open sights or a provision for same, b) barrels long enough to get that front sight far enough out for my eye to focus on and c) stocks with combs low enough to use peep sights. I know Sharps and various companies make a lot of nice replicas of old long barreled single shots but those get real spendy. The Winchester, while a bit pricey, is still within the upper limit of my comfort zone and fits all three criteria.
Looking at the .38-55 instead of a .45-70 since the bullets are lighter (less expensive lead per shot) and with that crescent butt plate I want to keep the recoil down. 250 gr. bullets at 1400 fps or so in a 9 pound rifle aren't going to loosen my teeth and wouldn't be punishing to send 30-40 rounds downrange in a morning.
The Winchester (Miroku) 1885 already has a pretty good rep overall but I was wondering if there was anything one should know about this specific caliber in this rifle? Never reloaded for a .38-55, in fact know next to nothing about it which is why the opportunity to learn attracts me to it. There are two case lengths offered, 2.082" and 2.125", why the difference and does anyone know which one the Winchester takes? Hornady lists the bullet diameter as .375 but other folks say the real diameter should be .378". Molds offered for 38-55 run .377" up to .380" diameter. Anyone know what the true bore diameter of the Winchester is? I'd probably shoot 99% cast so I could tailor the diameter to whatever is needed but the chance to shoot a jacketed bullet or two would be nice without having to special order something.
Other than those specific questions, any comments anyone wants to offer about this chambering in the Winchester would be appreciated.
Looking at the .38-55 instead of a .45-70 since the bullets are lighter (less expensive lead per shot) and with that crescent butt plate I want to keep the recoil down. 250 gr. bullets at 1400 fps or so in a 9 pound rifle aren't going to loosen my teeth and wouldn't be punishing to send 30-40 rounds downrange in a morning.
The Winchester (Miroku) 1885 already has a pretty good rep overall but I was wondering if there was anything one should know about this specific caliber in this rifle? Never reloaded for a .38-55, in fact know next to nothing about it which is why the opportunity to learn attracts me to it. There are two case lengths offered, 2.082" and 2.125", why the difference and does anyone know which one the Winchester takes? Hornady lists the bullet diameter as .375 but other folks say the real diameter should be .378". Molds offered for 38-55 run .377" up to .380" diameter. Anyone know what the true bore diameter of the Winchester is? I'd probably shoot 99% cast so I could tailor the diameter to whatever is needed but the chance to shoot a jacketed bullet or two would be nice without having to special order something.
Other than those specific questions, any comments anyone wants to offer about this chambering in the Winchester would be appreciated.