375 versus 38-55 Brass

[dh1633pm]

I have a bunch of .375 Winchester and 38-55 brass. Leftover from my dad’s estate. Looks the same to me. Got to looking around and 375 was derived from 38-55 but with a thicker case? Wouldn’t modern brass the difference be negligible? Measured and got .01 for 375 and .008 for 38-55 so there is a difference.

 

[AJC1]

I have a bunch of .375 Winchester and 38-55 brass. Leftover from my dad’s estate. Looks the same to me. Got to looking around and 375 was derived from 38-55 but with a thicker case? Wouldn’t modern brass the difference be negligible? Measured and got .01 for 375 and .008 for 38-55 so there is a difference.

View attachment 1179990

A trip through a sizing die makes them interchangeable. 38-55 won't like full house 375 loads.... you have the brass and I have bullets laying around. Do you have the rifle?

 

[dh1633pm]

Nothing in either. Had a 375 lever gun. Gave it to my cousin.

 

[dh1633pm]

My dad never did anything without a plan. Trying to glean why he had both types of brass.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

My dad never did anything without a plan. Trying to glean why he had both types of brass.

I think the rims are different but they use the same shell holder. Can’t recall off the top of my head what the real difference is.

 

[zeke]

375 Win brass was made for significantly higher pressure.

 

[garandsrus]

38-55 brass may be longer than 375 Win. There are different two lengths of 38-55 also.

 

[dh1633pm]

I checked the brass, the lengths were about the same. See above.

 

[Bearded Phil]

My dad never did anything without a plan. Trying to glean why he had both types of brass.

Did he have either a .375 Win or 38-55 rifle?

.375 Win could be used for 38-55 in a pinch if he had factory brass from somebody else's .375 Win rifle left over.

Or 38-55 (and maybe .375 Win? Might be harder with thicker brass) can be used to to make .32-40 Ballard/Win brass.

 

[dh1633pm]

He had a contender.

 

[ilgac]

I have a Winchester Model 94 XTR Big Bore .375 that I shoot both in. The 38-55 I use for casual shooting and the .375 I use for hunting.