Help identifying a wildcat

[its only light]

Hey everyone got a question for you all. My dad is a big TC contender fan. He bought a box if random contender stuff at a gun show and there were a few barrels in there. One of the barrels is marked 6.5x38-55. We can't seem to find much info on this round. We are wondering if its called something else that will help us find some more info. If anybody knows what the heck this is please let me know! We do know this much. Brass is formed from 30-30 cases. That's about it! Any help is greatly appreciated!!!

 

[ReedG]

Never heard of this cartridge and none of my literature lists it. The .38-55 is a common cartridge from the black powder days, converted to smokeless powder and the case is the same as .30-30 but a bit longer and straight wall. I'm guessing the 5.5 (.22-cal.) is a necked-down .38-55 to .22-cal. This would be very similar to the .219 Zipper or .219 Donaldson Wasp, which are based on the .25-35 Winchester case. Good luck in your search.

 

[clowdis]

I'm a little over my head here, but I think the 5.5 is actually a .227 dia. bullet. Not sure of the case but a 5.5 x 38 seems to ring a bell. There was a 7.62 x 38 Nagant revolver round and it may be something based off of that hence the rimmed case.

 

[its only light]

Thanks guys. I've found the original 38-55 case in my cartridges of the world book. The bore is definitely 6.5 cal. I'm thinking its something like the 6.5 benchrest magnum but its not identical to it. It's unique that's for sure.

 

[LCazador]

Never heard of this cartridge and none of my literature lists it. The .38-55 is a common cartridge from the black powder days, converted to smokeless powder and the case is the same as .30-30 but a bit longer and straight wall. I'm guessing the 5.5 (.22-cal.) is a necked-down .38-55 to .22-cal. This would be very similar to the .219 Zipper or .219 Donaldson Wasp, which are based on the .25-35 Winchester case. Good luck in your search.

ReedG is close , it's a European cartridge based on the 38-55 rimmed case , necked to 22 cal , or their 22 cal. which is .227 diameter . RWS still makes bullets in .227" diameter . I just sold a bunch of 38/55 brass . Buffalo Arms or Midway should have the brass and I think RCBS has forming dies . It's a lot of work to form the brass . Case length is 2.129 , similar to the venerable old 222 Rem. of 2.280" case length . Before you go off buying bullets , I suggest you slug the bore and make sure of the bore diameter , and then I would recommend a chamber cast to ensure you know the exact chamber measurements you are dealing with before you order all the dies . Thanks for activating an old memory on this 8) !!

 

[LCazador]

Thanks guys. I've found the original 38-55 case in my cartridges of the world book. The bore is definitely 6.5 cal. I'm thinking its something like the 6.5 benchrest magnum but its not identical to it. It's unique that's for sure.
[/quote
How did you arrive at a 6.5 ???? 5.5 is .227 diameter ???

 

[its only light]

I was wondering why everybody was stuck on 22. I rereading my original post it's not 5.5 it's 6.5. I'm on a cellphone most of the time so the buttons are small. It is 6.5x38-55 improved. Sorry guess I will have to proof read better.

 

[its only light]

Fixed original post

 

[LCazador]

Really ??

 

[its only light]

Really what????

 

[Old Navy]

If your rounds have a 40 degree shoulder possible they are 6.5 JD Jones rounds. This was one of a series of cartridges developed for hunting with the Contender. The 6.5 was made by necking up the the very strong 225 Winchester case. If you look and drawings of the 225, 38-55 and the 375 Winchester you will see they are similar. Later! Frank