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British Firearms (Pre. 1914) >> Breech Loading - Sporting Guns and Rifles >> .360" or .380" rook
http://www.lrml.org/cgi-bin/researchpress/YaBB.pl?num=1132089669

Message started by tjshooter on 11/15/05 at 9:21pm

Title: .360" or .380" rook
Post by tjshooter on 11/15/05 at 9:21pm

I have a Martini action sporter bought as .380". Now looking at getting it running I am not so sure. I believe the cases were the same but the bullet diam only differs.The bore comes out as best I can measure as it is 5 grooves at .365 ". Is this a .360 not .380? and any advice especially on bullets would be gratfully received. Entry on FAC means I should get this clear. Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: .360" or .380" rook
Post by Bill_Curtis on 11/15/05 at 10:58pm

This is probably for the .360 No.5 which, as I remember, had a bullet of .366. It should handle .38 cases although the .38 Special had a bullet of .357.

Title: Re: .360" or .380" rook
Post by FBoulton on 11/16/05 at 11:41am

Bill is correct in that the bullet dia for .36 no 5 is .365: but I have measured two .380s over the years and they were the same!
When you buy a rook rifle. insert a case into the breach and close it. Drop a slightly undersized length of lead wire down the barrel and slowly and gently tap it down woth an old rod. Open the breach, extract the case, with the help of the rod, and measure the lead plug. Most of them are a long way from the nominal calibre.
Fred.

Title: Re: .360" or .380" rook
Post by tjshooter on 11/17/05 at 8:28pm

Thanks for the comments, it seems that if some rifles marked .380 have a bore diam of .365 as mentioned. If you have one unmarked you dont really know what it is.I guess that to try the undersized bullet first is the way to go.

Title: Re: .360" or .380" rook
Post by FBoulton on 11/18/05 at 3:01pm

Actually, .38 special hollow based wadcutters give the best results in either of the nominal calibres. You may need to trim the brass back a few thou.
Fred.

Title: Re: .360" or .380" rook
Post by tjshooter on 12/18/05 at 8:32pm

Just an update that the wadcutters work a treat.

Thanks for the tips. TJ.