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Elmer Keith Memorial Shoot Forums > Rifles > New Rifle

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ace

Registered: 06/14/08
Posts: 83
12/18/08 at 07:05 PM

Just got a H&R Classic Target (38-55).
Came with two boxes Black Hills ammo, about forty emptys and a sack of cast 250? gr. w/gas checks. Also a Lee 3 die set, already have a Lee set but more never hurts.
anyone have any experiance with one of these?
ace

Southernman

Registered: 12/11/08
Posts: 65
12/18/08 at 07:46 PM

Yes Ace
I have one with and extra .500 S&W bl. , and and extra stock set for scope use.
I won't tell you how it shoots with 38-55 bl.
That would make me sound like a liar.
I'm using a Lyman mold 275 grn -FP -GC , 20 t0 1 alloy. sized .377
I use 2 grns under max of 5744 , then a 1/8" vegetable wad ,fill the rest of the case with Cream of Wheat , compress about 1/4 " , and crimp all in place.
I don't use a GC with that load.
Another load I use with 38-55 bl. , is a compressed load of IMR 4831 or 4350. and I do use GC with it.
The only problem I've had wit it is, if I vary far , above or below standard velocity I don't have enough sight adjustment.
  Mine has a pretty nice peice of wood , for an H&R.
I'm going to try black powder in it next.
Also plan to try BP with 500 S&W bl.
I have a Lee 440 WFN-GC  mold for the .500.
It's a monster with case full of IMR 4227.

Hope you enjoy it
Southern Man

NO DAMN MAN KILLS ME AND LIVES
       "GENERAL"
NATHAN BEDFORD FORREST

ace

Registered: 06/14/08
Posts: 83
12/18/08 at 09:33 PM

Southernman
thanks for the quik reply.
I will take this rifle with me next week when I head for Arizona, should be better weather, it is snowing here(western Washington)
will let you know how it works out.
ace

ace

Registered: 06/14/08
Posts: 83
01/14/09 at 04:11 PM

Got a chance to try the 38-55 target yesterday, sights are good for a bout 100 yards, no more adjustment.
shot about a half box of Black Hills at a 300 yard diamond 2 ft. across. No, I didn't hit it but came close enough to get excited about some different sights with more elevation.
I was holding the front bead over the top of the apature, not the best way.
Going to be a fun gun.
ace

Southernman

Registered: 12/11/08
Posts: 65
01/14/09 at 07:38 PM

Hello Ace
I saw a tang sight on Gun broker, the mount screws into the wood.
It would probably stay put if you used epoxy between base and wood. Also Lyman or williams makes reciever sight that hangs off the side like Lyman ,for 94 Win.
I put a scope base on mine and worked up load with 4.5x14 Leupold.Then put NECG sight in scope base.
It's a better sight than that factory Williams , but it has no more adjustment.
They are fun , and accurate

Southern Man

Creeker

Registered: 01/08/09
Posts: 53
02/16/09 at 07:46 AM

Those are fun rifles Ace.

Lynn & Barbara
Dry Creek Bullet Works

Southernman

Registered: 12/11/08
Posts: 65
02/16/09 at 02:35 PM

Hello Folks
My 500 S&W bl. is to much of a good thing for this outfit.
It's got a power factor of almost a million , and after a few shots it started coming unlocked when I fire it.
Gotta send it back to H&R and see if they can fix it.

Southern Man

albroswift

Registered: 06/02/08
Posts: 581
02/16/09 at 02:50 PM

My H&R .308 Ultra likes to do that on a really cold day. Pops open and sends the shell flying over my shoulder. Kind of a single shot semi auto.

Southernman

Registered: 12/11/08
Posts: 65
02/16/09 at 02:58 PM

Do you hit any thing when that happens?
Mine does about 6 or 8 inches at 25 yards when it's unlocking.
Southern Man

albroswift

Registered: 06/02/08
Posts: 581
02/16/09 at 03:27 PM

I can't hit anything anyway, so no difference!
Actually, not much difference, we were shooting 500 yards when it happened, about 20 deg F still my usual ugly group. Set the shoulder back a few thous, been really paying attention to the case gauge, haven't had the problem since, but haven't shot in that cold of weather since either, one or the other fixed it.