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38-55 schuetzen barrel twist (Read 1084 times)

UpNorthCountry Junior Member Offline Posts: 59 Joined: Jan 4^th, 2023	38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Feb 26^th, 2025 at 9:23pm	Print Post
	So I see 1:14 or 1:12 used for the venerable old 38-55. But at 100/200 yds, you’re not heaving 385 grainers at it. What grain and twist rate seems to be ok for that 225/250 grain weight?


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2373 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #1 - Feb 26^th, 2025 at 9:48pm	Print Post
	I've been using bullets in the 300gr - 320gr range in mine. Twists in 1:14 & 1:15 at 200m. If you are going with shorter bullets you could probably go a fair bit slower than 1:15, but I think 1:15 gives lots of flexibility. Chris.


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westerner Frequent Elocutionist Offline deleted posts and threads record holder. Posts: 11697 Location: Why, out West of course Joined: May 29^th, 2006	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #2 - Feb 26^th, 2025 at 10:35pm	Print Post
	18 works fine for me out to 500 meters. My best targets at 200 yards have been with a 19 twist barrel. Best I've ever done with a Badger 15 twist is about 240 on the German ring target at 200 yards. Peep sights.

	A blind squirrel runs into a tree every once in a while.
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Schuetzendave Frequent Elocutionist Offline Retired Ex-Shooter Posts: 4107 Location: St. Albert, Alberta Joined: Jan 28^th, 2005	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #3 - Feb 26^th, 2025 at 11:05pm	Print Post
	My .38-50 using 50 grains FFFg would knock over the Rams at 550 yards with a 310 grain bullet in a 18:1 twist barrel. You should use a heavier bullet since your tighter twists allow you to use longer bullets. The heaviest bullet will allow you to shoot further and be less susceptible to wind drift compared to lighter bullets due to the improved Kinetic Energy from heavier bullets. 18:1 twist barrel 310 grain bullet about maximum length 16:1 twist barrel 350 grain bullet about maximum length 14:1 twist barrel 385 grain bullet about maximum length
	« Last Edit: Feb 26^th, 2025 at 11:14pm by Schuetzendave »

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Oakdale Junior Member Offline Posts: 65 Location: Maplewood, MN Joined: Jun 7^th, 2017	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #4 - Feb 27^th, 2025 at 8:27am	Print Post
	This interesting subject caught my attention. I have a Rem Rolling Block with a 30” Green Mountain full octagon 1:12 twist barrel. Bullet weights are about 335-grains. Considering the responses to this post so far, it might be assumed that 1:12 twist is “too fast”, if there is such a thing. My match shooting distances are 100 and 200-yards. Is 1:12 a good thing or not? Thanks! Tom


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rkaires Frequent Elocutionist Offline No Stronger Bond Posts: 1647 Location: Dingmans Ferry, PA Joined: Oct 26^th, 2012	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #5 - Feb 27^th, 2025 at 10:09am	Print Post
	For shooting out to 200yds I would go with a 15 twist barrel.

	ASSRA #11031 NRA Life Proud Noodlehead "Peace is that brief, glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading."~ ~ Thomas Jefferson
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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 16730 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #6 - Feb 27^th, 2025 at 10:46am	Print Post
	Almost all the old originals were around 18"-19" twist for the 255 gr. bullets, and the old master barrel makers used 15" twist for heavier bullets and 200 yd. matches. If you're plan is mostly 255 gr. and maybe some much heavier there's no reason to go faster than a 15" twist.

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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 16730 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #7 - Feb 27^th, 2025 at 10:47am	Print Post
	Oakdale wrote on Feb 27^th, 2025 at 8:27am: This interesting subject caught my attention. I have a Rem Rolling Block with a 30” Green Mountain full octagon 1:12 twist barrel. Bullet weights are about 335-grains. Considering the responses to this post so far, it might be assumed that 1:12 twist is “too fast”, if there is such a thing. My match shooting distances are 100 and 200-yards. Is 1:12 a good thing or not? Thanks! Tom Yes, there definitely is such a thing as too fast a twist rate.

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4570mike Senior Forum Member Offline Posts: 405 Location: On the Peninsula Joined: Apr 11^th, 2013	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #8 - Feb 27^th, 2025 at 11:03am	Print Post
	I have both 14 and 15 twist 38-55's. I commonly shoot a 250 gr. slug for 100yd. and 200yd. offhand events as the recoil is less distracting. With that weight projectile, I haven't found a difference in accuracy between the two twists at those distances. Both also like a 330 gr. slug and that goes to 400yds. I did find the 15 twist barrels wouldn't stabilize a 370gr. bullet beyond 400yds. The 14 twist did out to 500yds. I think the longer slugs at the longer distances need more initial velocity and that's where the 38-55 can be limited. Mike.


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Oakdale Junior Member Offline Posts: 65 Location: Maplewood, MN Joined: Jun 7^th, 2017	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #9 - Feb 27^th, 2025 at 4:11pm	Print Post
	Thaks guys for the helpful feedback! Tom


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2373 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #10 - Feb 27^th, 2025 at 5:29pm	Print Post
	Tom the really fast twists in 38 cals have mostly been driven by black powder silhouette shooters. Typical bullets will be in the area of 360gr. Some years ago Dan Theodore worked with Dick Trenk at Pedersoli to make a 1:12 twist highwall in 38-55. I think that started a trend. Nowadays most using 1:10 or 1:12 twists in 38's are using the 38-50 Remington Hepburn cartridge. I have a CPA silhouette rifle with a 1:12 twist 38-50 that I'm still getting sorted out. As far as schuetzen distances go, I ordered a 1:15 twist on my first CPA (38-55) as that's what Paul and Gail suggested for my rifle. Chris.


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Oakdale Junior Member Offline Posts: 65 Location: Maplewood, MN Joined: Jun 7^th, 2017	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #11 - Feb 27^th, 2025 at 6:51pm	Print Post
	Chris, Odd….I ordered a CPA in .38-55, due to arrive here hopefully next week. That too has a Bartien 1:12 twist barrel. Gail was helpful in that decision. Where would a .38-50 Hepburn mold be found? Looking forward to the 2025 match season! Tom


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gunlaker Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2373 Location: lower mainland, B.C. Joined: Dec 13^th, 2010	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #12 - Feb 27^th, 2025 at 7:06pm	Print Post
	Oakdale wrote on Feb 27^th, 2025 at 6:51pm: Chris, Odd….I ordered a CPA in .38-55, due to arrive here hopefully next week. That too has a Bartien 1:12 twist barrel. Gail was helpful in that decision. Where would a .38-50 Hepburn mold be found? Looking forward to the 2025 match season! Tom The modern version of the 38-50 Remington Hepburn is based on a 30-40 Krag case and uses the same bore/groove dimensions as a 38-55 so generally the same molds will work for both. If you are wondering where to get a mold for a heavy 38 cal bullet, I can recommend Buffalo Arms. Steve Brooks would also be able to make a good quality mold for a heavy 38 cal. Chris.


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boats Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7615 Location: Virginia Joined: Apr 23^rd, 2004	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #13 - Feb 27^th, 2025 at 8:43pm	Print Post
	My 30 plus year old CPA 38/55 has a 18 twist Douglas. 200 yard matches I use a 255 gr bullet. Longer distance in BPCS to 500 305 gr About maximum weight with 18 twist It’s a marginal ram knock down down load. However matches decided on 4 targets my level it was better to use the compromise cartridge & don’t worry about a few rams left standing . 330 Bullets in the 38/55 case push the envelope if using Black Powder due case capacity Smokeless it works ok. I had a 40/65 barrel which is a better choice for longer distances with Black . Don’t shoot NRA BPCS anymore sold the barrel Optional depends on match rules, powder used and distance as well as twist Boats


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marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 16730 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: 38-55 schuetzen barrel twist Reply #14 - Feb 28^th, 2025 at 11:08am	Print Post
	I've wondered why anyone ordered a rifle chambered in the .38-50 Remington today? Is it simply because the .30-40 Krag and .303 British brass is so common and cheap to buy?

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