38-55 Project

[Rube Burrows]

Well, its been a long time coming. I have been roughly working on this rifle for almost a year now. Bought a pretty rough 20" carbine 30-30. Then I bought a 26'' octagon barrel and mag tube.

When I got the original rifle all the bluing was gone but I still had lots of metal prep to do. I ordered a stock set off of eBay (Mistake). It was very rough fitting and my lack of woodworking skill really did a number on the stock. I sent it to a friend here and he said it could be saved but would be ugly.....Then we found out the forearm was not the right one. So......a complete waste of money on the wood.

For the receiver I was going to send it off for Color Case Hardening but then decided I would go with a worn look.

The rifle sat dormant for months as I did other things but recently I decided to start working on it some more in my free time....what little I have. I was ordering me some parts from Numrich and seen they had a buttstock like I wanted. I jumped on it because I was having a hard time finding curved buttplate stocks for a post 64 94.

Its still a ways from being finished. Need the barrel installed and headspaced and then I will order the forearm when I measure and see just what length I need.

Anyways....here are a few pics. Still have some metal work left to do to get the gun to have the look I want but maybe you can get the idea. Also, I will be working with the stock once I get the forearm to get it to look like the gun has been used.

Here is when I first got the gun;









After a little work;





and after I decided to actually do some real work on it......this is tonight but with plenty left;












Hope you guys dont mind the progress pics. Maybe soon I will have some finished pics and then a range report.

[Hagler]

Rube,

Very nice. You have the right idea. That rifle is going to be nice. I tried the "used & weathered" look on my pawnshop special, and I really like it:

Before, with peeling wood & pitted metal:





After, with judicious sanding of the metal, wood stripping with carburetor cleaner, and metal finishing with Super Blue, and Tru-Oil for the wood:





I even put long wood on the front, and an old leather sling on it:



Shawn

[Rube Burrows]

Nice job. I am getting very eager to get this thing finished so I can get to know the 38-55 cartridge.

[claybob86]

Looking good! Keep us posted!

[Hagler]

Rube,

Thank you. I was hoping to encourage you, so that you could get that puppy up & running, soon. I can't attest to your caliber, but the rifle already looks good. "After" pictures are a must, as is a range report.

Shawn

[pwl44m]

Gents, both good looking Guns. Rube ! where did You get Your barrel ? I know it is not the one I bid on on GB. That one was already old looking. I am still kicking Myself for not going a little higher on it. I think it went for around $200. I did get the hammer Mike D turned Me on to though.
The case H look, how is that done ? I like it. It kinda looks like a Henry without the forearm, makes that barrel look extremely long.
Perry

[damienph]

Rube,

Thanks for the progress pictures. Keep posting as you go. Like Perry asked, how did you finish the receiver? I think that it looks great. You are going to have a fine looking rifle when you ae finished. Shawn, yours came out very good looking as well. Hard to imagine that the receiver you started with could ever be smoothed out again.

[Rube Burrows]

Gents, both good looking Guns. Rube ! where did You get Your barrel ? I know it is not the one I bid on on GB. That one was already old looking. I am still kicking Myself for not going a little higher on it. I think it went for around $200. I did get the hammer Mike D turned Me on to though.
The case H look, how is that done ? I like it. It kinda looks like a Henry without the forearm, makes that barrel look extremely long.
Perry

I got my barrel from Numrich. Its a 26" oct barrel in 38-55. Color case hardening is done by packing the parts in bone/charcoal and bringing it to a certain temp for certain time. I wanted to do it that way but not many people will do a post 64 receiver. I did find someone who would be just decided to go a different route for my first build.

[Rube Burrows]

Rube,

Thanks for the progress pictures. Keep posting as you go. Like Perry asked, how did you finish the receiver? I think that it looks great. You are going to have a fine looking rifle when you ae finished. Shawn, yours came out very good looking as well. Hard to imagine that the receiver you started with could ever be smoothed out again.

I finished the receiver with with a cold bluing process but rubbing it back off in places and heating it up etc.......then added some plum brown to the parts also. Then gun oil.

I have not began on the wood yet because I want to get my forearm first so it can all be done at the same time.

Thanks for the comments guys. Glad you enjoy the pics.

[kimwcook]

That's fantastic, Rube. Waiting eagerly to see the finished product and range report.

Hagler, nice job.

[Rube Burrows]

That's fantastic, Rube. Waiting eagerly to see the finished product and range report.

Hagler, nice job.

Hopefully it wont be too much longer. My progress now will depend on the smith putting the new barrel on and headspacing it. Hopefully its a smooth job.

[Rube Burrows]

Well, after talking to a couple smiths in my area........they either cant do the job.....dont want to do the job or came off as complete A-holes.


If someone can point me to a good smith who can and will do a barrel instalation and headspace on this rifle I would be very thankful.

[Pitchy]

That's fantastic, Rube. Waiting eagerly to see the finished product and range report.

Hagler, nice job.

+1
That`s going to be a awesome rifle.

[Hagler]

Rube,

I wish that I could help you with your gunsmith problem. I, too, cannot find anyone in St. Tammany parish that can, or is willing to, work on my guns. I do not know if I would trust any of them. I have tried Lacombe Gunsmith, F.I.T.S., and a few others, with negatory results. For that matter, when I lived in St. Bernard, I encountered the same problem. In fact, there was an oldtimer that lived just a few miles from my house, who was "trying to retire" for years. This man had a machine shop, and a nice stash of parts. He would tell me what to do, but he would not touch my guns. The only place that I can think of, that may help you, is Gretna Gun Works, on the West bank of New Orleans. However, I do not know of their gunsmithing reputation.

Rube, putting the barrel into your receiver cannot be too hard. It appears that you already did that. Tighten it, and run some Snap-caps through it. Feel the action, and watch carefully. You may be able to get some headspace gauges from Brownell's, Numrich's, or Midway.

Shawn

[Rube Burrows]

Rube,

I wish that I could help you with your gunsmith problem. I, too, cannot find anyone in St. Tammany parish that can, or is willing to, work on my guns. I do not know if I would trust any of them. I have tried Lacombe Gunsmith, F.I.T.S., and a few others, with negatory results. For that matter, when I lived in St. Bernard, I encountered the same problem. In fact, there was an oldtimer that lived just a few miles from my house, who was "trying to retire" for years. This man had a machine shop, and a nice stash of parts. He would tell me what to do, but he would not touch my guns. The only place that I can think of, that may help you, is Gretna Gun Works, on the West bank of New Orleans. However, I do not know of their gunsmithing reputation.

Rube, putting the barrel into your receiver cannot be too hard. It appears that you already did that. Tighten it, and run some Snap-caps through it. Feel the action, and watch carefully. You may be able to get some headspace gauges from Brownell's, Numrich's, or Midway.

Shawn

I def thought about doing it myself but have never done that. It may sound crazy but when I screw in the barrel it seems like when it gets tight the barrel is not on straight.

I tried Bill Berthelot because I have used him before a couple years ago for a blot action hunting gun but he said it was not something he wanted to do and that he has plenty work this time of year. Hmmmm.....okay.

I tried the Lacombe Gunsmith a while back but could never reach him. They kept telling me he was offshore and I never got a call back.

I dont like FITS at all !!!!!
Called a couple more towards the Hammond area and still......nothing.

[Hagler]

Rube,

How much would you need to turn the barrel to make it look like it is on correctly?

Shawn

[Rube Burrows]

Rube,

How much would you need to turn the barrel to make it look like it is on correctly?

Shawn

Well I just hand tightened it. I am not sure how much further it would actually turn with a wrench on it and also be properly headspaced.

[BenT]

How much farther do you need to screw on the barrel to get the extractor groove at twelve o'clock. Is it it at 1 oclock now? 94 Winchester's are usually headspaced correctly when the end of the barrel is flush with the inside of the receiver. Just look at another Winchester 94 and you will see what I mean. I did this same project five years ago and will not be dissapointed on how that numrich shoots.

[kimwcook]

Hey guys, I'd call Mike Hunter http://www.hunterrestorations.com/
or Steve Young (Nate Kiowa Jones) http://www.stevesgunz.com/

I think either one of them could do the job pretty easily.

[Rube Burrows]

Hey guys, I'd call Mike Hunter http://www.hunterrestorations.com/
or Steve Young (Nate Kiowa Jones) http://www.stevesgunz.com/

I think either one of them could do the job pretty easily.

I did email Steve but was under the impression from the winchester board the mike only does pre64 and older.

[pokey]

you can get that barrel on yourself,
just put one end in a vise and spin on the other.
each time it comes up snug, back off half a turn and
then snug it up again. each time it should turn a
little farther. when the extractor cuts line up stop.
most win. '94 barrels will headspace just fine when
the slots line up.
good luck and nice project so far.

[Rube Burrows]

I'll check it out when I get home tonight.

[pokey]

I'll check it out when I get home tonight.

so,,, how's it going?

[Rube Burrows]

I'll check it out when I get home tonight.

so,,, how's it going?

Was out of town all weekend so I did not have a chance to do anything on it.

[20cows]

Great project!

These are my 38-55 projects, one is where you're headed.

[Rube Burrows]

Beautiful rifles.....and yes. I like the one that is like the one im building.

[pwl44m]

I was at Cabelas in Reno this weekend. Win ammo 38-55 box of 20 $39.99. I didn't buy any, I will search out Brass and load. To be such big stores- Cabelas nor Sheels had brass or dies for this round.
Perry

[Rube Burrows]

This is FordWannaBe's rifle that gave me the inspiration to go with a weathered look.

[fordwannabe]

Rube thanks for posting that. It is a 1966 receiver with a numric arms 30-30 barrel that Jes reboring took out to 38-55. The wood is a brand new kit I bought off ebay, that I did a little work to. Shoots minute of milk jug out to 200 yards with the lee 250 grainer and 9.5 grains of unique. And please notice the required foot in the picture but I deviated from form by being barefoot, sorry to any who I offended with the faux pa.

[damienph]

Great project!

These are my 38-55 projects, one is where you're headed.

I really admire all of you with the skill to build these great looking rifles.

Rube, did you ever get the finish to stay the way that you want it on the receiver? If I run across a donor rifle for the right price, I think that I might try to build my own.

Keep up with the progress pics.

Thanks!!

[Rube Burrows]

Great project!

These are my 38-55 projects, one is where you're headed.

I really admire all of you with the skill to build these great looking rifles.

Rube, did you ever get the finish to stay the way that you want it on the receiver? If I run across a donor rifle for the right price, I think that I might try to build my own.

Keep up with the progress pics.

Thanks!!

I have it pretty much where I want it now. Been working with it some....and it DID take some working with.

[pwl44m]

Found Brass and Dies, already have boolits so when the others get here I can Load.
Perry

[Rube Burrows]

Found Brass and Dies, already have boolits so when the others get here I can Load.
Perry

Im jealous. I just dropped my rifle off today at the gunsmith for him to install the barrel. I could not get it tight enough with the measly tools I have.

[pokey]

did anything ever come of this?

[Rube Burrows]

did anything ever come of this?

I'll call him on Monday. He told me to call him last week but I left on Wed. and just got back tonight. Hopefully he has it done but with Thanksgiving, I dont know.

[gunner69]

Nice project..... I have a Sharps in 38-55, and a Winchester 94 Rifle in 38-55 (that 26"er matter of fact). I load a 260gr FNGC bullet with 30.0gr of H-4198. The local whitetail try to stay out of sight. All I can say is that you will love the 38-55.

[Rube Burrows]

Well the gunsmith called me yesterday and asked me to bring over a round of ammo so he could check it out. I went there today with a round and we found that when the round was in it the rifle would not close all the way.

It just barely wont close.....he said we need to take off possibly a thousandth or two off.

I have a question though. If we take off that wont that shorten the chamber also?

[BenT]

Yes it will shorten the chamber, but you will not notice it. On my Numrich barrel I had to take about 8 thousands off the end of the barrel to get the right headspace and had no problems with a short chamber.

[Rube Burrows]

Yes it will shorten the chamber, but you will not notice it. On my Numrich barrel I had to take about 8 thousands off the end of the barrel to get the right headspace and had no problems with a short chamber.

Ok, great. I was not sure how much play they had in the chamber to be taking thousandths off the end.

[Rube Burrows]

Ok, well the barrel is on. Im now looking for a forend that I can use on the gun.

I do have a question though if I may.

Winchester made several different length forends. When im measuring to figure out which length I need, Where exactly am I measuring to and from?

I am getting roughtly 10 1/4 inches from where the stock will sit against the receiver to the end of the dovetail on the barrel.


10 inches is still inside the dovetail.





I guess if I was to find a 10" forend that it would work. Am I correct in this thinking?

Should search for one that is a little longer than 10"

Nothing is local so im hoping to get it right the first time to keep cost down.

These things are hard enough to find as it is.

[BenT]

I used the pre 64 fore end on mine , it's slimer than the post 64. Mine has the Numrich barrel with cut at 10 inches. The forend cap I got at Numrich but they didnt have the piece that fits in the dovetail cut that the forend cap screws to, i got one at a gunshow. I 've read people get them from Uberti parts, which is for the replica 1873's. the forewood I got from midway, fitting is required.



This is mine.

[gunner69]

That looks nice, I see you used the "shotgun" style butt plate. That's a good idea as it "evens up" the recoil.

[Griff]

Rube,

I'm finally back at home, and just measured my .30-30 with the Numrich barrel. My forend measures 10-¼" of exposed wood.

[Rube Burrows]

Thanks guys.

Griff, do you mean from the end of the cap to the start of the receiver?

Both of the rifles above are very nice looking. I can see the finish line with this one and just hope that I can find the right forend for it soon.

[Griff]

Thanks guys.
Griff, do you mean from the end of the cap to the start of the receiver?

Yes.

[Rube Burrows]

Thanks guys.
Griff, do you mean from the end of the cap to the start of the receiver?

Yes.

Thanks.

[Rube Burrows]

For those that dont look at the classifieds, I am looking for a forend that measures about 9.5" long for octagon barrel. Since this gun will have an old look when finished its okay if its not perfect condition.

[gunner69]

Contact Numrich (gunparts corp) at 866-686-7424, as they used to carry them. Good Luck......

[Rube Burrows]

Contact Numrich (gunparts corp) at 866-686-7424, as they used to carry them. Good Luck......

Thanks. I called them yesterday. They dont have any.

[Mainehunter]

Have you tried these guys?

http://macongunstocks.net/marlin_rifle_stocks_53.html

Mainehunter