38-55 Favorite Loads -

turnerm66 · Post by **turnerm66** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:30 pm

I'm getting ready to start loading 38-55 Win and am looking for some advice & favorite loads. I plan on loading practice/plinking loads only: Mid Velocity and want an Accurate load. Right now I have only 260gr Hard Cast bullets from Cast Performance Bullets. There is not alot of data out there for this cartridge and would really like your input. I have almost all powders used for 38 Special & 357 Mag. Thanks!

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:36 pm

Accurate is a realative thing. What's accurate in one rifle may throw a pattern in yours.

I'd suggest while you're waiting on loads, to slug your barrel and measure the actual dia of your bullets. You want at least .001 or .002" over bore dia, for cast.

Also, if yours are not gas checked bullets, you'll want to keep the velocity about 1500 or less.

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:07 pm

32 gr reloder 7
and any good cast bullet or for me better yet, is the barnes old style .377 diameter bullet; it shoots best in my gun.

turnerm66 · Post by **turnerm66** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 10:26 pm

Handirifle,
You are absolutely correct! I am just looking for some favorite powders since I have not loaded for 38-55 before. I have sluged the barrel and it's right at .3795. I've shot some Winchester 255gr JSP factory loads (LF79 Headstamp) which I know are loaded with bullets too small for my barrel and get 2 1/2", 5 shot groups @ 50yds. I know with the right load this gun will shoot sub 1" groups (the barrel is mint, as is the gun itself). If you have a favorite powder & charge, I'd be interested.

GEOFF · Post by **GEOFF** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:42 pm

Turner,

I have an 1893 Marlin BLACK POWDER barreled .38-55. The load that works really well for me is using the Meister .380" 245grain bullet on top of 20.5 grains of XMP 5744. This load is mild enough to easily shoot a 40 round silhouette match with.

I bought one of those BULLET TEST TUBES from Midway. Anyway, instead of slugging my bore I thought I'd shoot one of those hardcast 245 grain Meisters into the gellatin inside the bullet test tube from 50 yards. I hit it dead center and I COULDN'T BELIEVE, it penetrated the whole deal and went out the other side. Just telling this cuz it shows there is more power evident than the recoil of that old rifle would have led me to believe!!!!!!

Not bragging at all cuz I have BAD DAYS too but I have won a few silhouette matches with the above combination. A couple of weeks ago I couldn't hit much, shot a 24 out of 40, disgusting since the previous 2 months I shot a 31 and a 34 with that rifle.

I love the .38-55. I'm trying some Jamison cases right now, they are on their 3rd reload and I have found splits about 1" up from the case head on 7 out of the 100 cases. Not happy at all. So stick with Starline or Winchester cases. I have Winchester cases with about 10 fireings and NO SPLITS. I don't know what is going on.

Another thing, forum member SIXGUN reports erratic pressures with 5744 powder but I believe he has only seen it in big bores, such as .45-70 and .45-90. I have never seen any of this in 1000's of rounds using 5744 in .40-65 and .38-55.

Some guys are going to Trail Boss but I'm sticking to 5744 for right now since my silhouette rifles are all sighted in at the different ranges. Switching to Trail Boss would be an undertaking!

I'd get some of those Meister 245 grain .380" bullets and use either Trail Boss or XMP 5744. I have been in your shoes when I got my old 1893. Just use standard primers and ENJOY YOUR .38-55. I'll bet it shoots super well for you! IT'S A MARLIN ISN'T IT???!!!!!

Geoff

mac45 · Post by **mac45** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 2:48 am

8.5 gr of Unique is a real accurate plinker in my rifle.
18.0 gr of IMR 4227 was almost as good.
These aren't hunting loads, just plinkers, but they're a heck of a lot of fun

gundownunder · Post by **gundownunder** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:21 am

hfcable posted

32 gr reloder 7

That is a HOT load
the Lee manual lists 26.5 as a maximum load with the 255gr bullet.
Alliant lists a 255gr with 26 gr of reloder 7.
Lee doesn't list a 260 gr load but lists a 255 gr with 18gr of herc 2400, which is a standard 357 powder as well. not sure if there is any difference between herc and alliant so you may need to adjust the load to suit.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:31 am

Handirifle and Geoff said it pretty good. I do what they do. I load the 275 NEI gc bullets with 21 gr. of 5744 for 1400 fps. Shoots into 2" or less with a takedown '93 and an old 94. (and yes, don't use 5744 in the big bores---I had some problems----jury is still out on that one------------Sixgun

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:42 am

Lee doesn't list a 260 gr load but lists a 255 gr with 18gr of herc 2400, which is a standard 357 powder as well. not sure if there is any difference between herc and alliant so you may need to adjust the load to suit.

This is the load I use. Cant remember exactly but I think its around 1400FPS.
The powder might be a little different but the data is still good. I use it in a 100 year old 1893.

turnerm66 · Post by **turnerm66** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:04 am

Awesome input!

It looks like I need to get some 5744. I read other posts that have had good luck with it in 38-55. I have also read the posts refering to pressure spikes in Big Bores, but wasn't sure if it would apply to 38-55, thanks for clearing that up for me. I am also going to try some Unique (which I use alot for 357, with good performance (in plinking loads). Alliant 2400 seems like a logical choice too, It shoots well in my S&W 686 and I think it would do even better in a long barrel.

I have heard differnt things about 4895, 4198 and 3031...any thoughts on these 3....which one would lend itself to Hard Cast loads 1500 fps or less. I've found that it's alot harder to develop accurate Mild loads than accurate Hot loads....which I'm not going to normally shoot except for a hunting load I will develop down the road.

Thanks for the input so far, you guys are alot more sociable than some on other forums. I've posted on a couple different forums and it seems since I'm a new member, nobody wants to take the time to help me out. Be safe and shoot straight!

colo native · Post by **colo native** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:09 am

Ya may want to try SR4759 it workd for me as well as UniQ

otteray · Post by **otteray** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 12:40 pm

With my Marlin '93 "B" barreled rifle, a low velocity very accurate plinking load is 14.5gr 5744 and a 255 wheel weight cast bullet that lumbers along at 900fps.
Gets great groups at 100 yards.
The primer may back out very slightly with this soft load. Mine does.

Yodar · Post by **Yodar** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 1:40 pm

Turnerm66,

Welcome to the cult of the .38-55. First lesson: DO NOT try to "hotrod" this cartridge, it wasn't ment for that. It is a nice, sedate cartridge meant to be enjoyed not whipped within an inch of its life.

Yes, by all means slug the bore and size cast lead bullets 0.001 to .002 inches over groove diameter.

If you would like a nice, "user friendly", plinking load try the following: Winchester cases and large rifle primers, 25 grains of IMR-3031, 240 grain Oregon Trails Laser Cast RNFP non-gas check bullet, OAL=2.522", bullet crimped with Lee crimping die. This is a mild load but accurate in my Model 94 at least. Fifty yard groups ran between 1 and 3/16ths inches to 1 and 5/8th inches. Muzzle velocity from a 26 inch barrel ran right around 1300 fps.

Stepping it up a notch, try the following: Winchester cases and large rifle primers, 23.3 grains of RL-7, 265 grain Mt. Baldy RNFP gas check bullet (SAECO #373 mould), OAL=2.496", Lee crimped. I have gotten several sub-one inch 50-yard groups with this load. Muzzle velocity ran around 1500 fps. I tried this load at 100 yards and was able to keep 5 shots in 2 and 3/4ths inches, 4 shots went into an 1 and 1/2 inch.

Good luck and keep us posted.

bj94 · Post by **bj94** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:48 pm

Try some IMR4198 with loads at about 1500 fps or maybe a little less.

Bis · Post by **Bis** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:15 pm

I had been happy with 5744 in my 38-55, but my friend had some problems using 2400 in his 38-55. If he just loaded a round and fired it he would get one velocity, but if he held the rifle up in the air and then shot, he would get a big difference in velocity.

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:39 pm

I didn't include MY loads, cause I've only shot GOEX, and similar (black powder) in my 38-55, so I wouldn't be much help.

mine is a single shot and a lot easier to clean than a levergun so I didn't suggest it.

GEOFF
Interesting post. Wonder how far it would have gone, if you's had enough of them? I wondered about those tubes, but the calibers I want to test would most likely need more than I can afford of them.

jorgy · Post by **jorgy** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:42 pm

I have about 6 1893 Marlins chambered for the 38/55. Most of them slug
out at .380. The load I have found that works is 265 grain cast bullet sized
to .380 & 30 grains of IMR3031. Excellent accuracy not much recoil. This
will chrono at 1700-1800 fps. The bullets use a gas check. Also I use
W-W cases with no problems. These cases have reloaded 8 or 9 times
with virtually no trimming. If I go to a match this is the caliber I reach
for without any hesitation.

turnerm66 · Post by **turnerm66** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:02 pm

Thanks for the down load of all your experience. I have another question that you guys can for sure help me with.

I use Lee Dies. Since I'll be loading cast bullets much larger than .375 -.377, how do you all expand the case necks to match your bullet dianmeters?

I want about .001 smaller case neck that bullet so I get good fit. I planned on using a Lee Expander Die w/ a special expander plug made for BP rounds (purchaced from Track the Wolf). These are diifernet than the normal plug from Lee that just flares the case mouth. They are a plug that has a taper lead in and body that goes into the case the same as a bullet. They are suppose to expand the case neck so you get a .001 interference fit with the appropriate bullet size. Anybody ever try this method? or have a better method?

otteray · Post by **otteray** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 10:10 pm

I use a similar plug.
Without it, my cases bulge after seating the bullet and the cartridge won't chamber.

Jeff Pitts · Post by **Jeff Pitts** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 11:34 pm

I'm very happy with the main load I use in the 38-55. I cast a 280gr bullet from WW's and use 32grs of 3031. Accuracy is very good, under 2" at 100 yards. Recoil is very low also because my wife loves to shoot it....! I have no idea what the velocity is.

This rifle and load did for an elk a couple years back. One shot behind the shoulders at 60 yards and the bull dropped in his tracks.

Jeff

390 · Post by **390** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:32 am

I fooled around for a long time trying different powders and combinations to make my 255 grain Beart Tooth Bullets shoot well. My rifle is a winchester crazy horse and it slugs to .378 on the nose. I used 2400, RL-7, and 3031 with varying degrees of success. I bought an old volume Accurate powder reloading guide. They had a load for AA2495. I can't remember what it is off the top of my head, but that load will break clay pigeons (stationary) at 100 yds all day long with iron sights. If I get a chance I will look up the load. I am really happy with this load. still need to chronograph it, but it feels to be in the neighborhood of the warmer RL-7 loadings.

MikeNV · Post by **MikeNV** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:55 pm

9.5 of Unique behind a Meister 245gr .380 bullet is a VERY accurate plinking load.
I use 26 grs of H322 behind the same bullet and found that it will travel through over 20" of flesh (6" being of spine bone) and exit at approx. 147 yds. Only traveling about 1400fps but was very impressive.

turnerm66 · Post by **turnerm66** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:43 pm

Mike, I have heard alot of people that are using Unique in 38-55. I have always had good luck in 38 Special and 357 Mag, so I plan on giving it a try.

I also have heard that the 38-55 is suprisingly a heavy hitter with great penetration even given it's mild manner recoil and shootability. They say to not be fooled by how the mild gun shoots even in higher velocities. I don't have an practical hunting experience with the round but it's suppose to be awesome for even Moose and Elk when you keep it in it's range, 125 yds and less. I believe that, given the cartridge's long history and initial design intent. Thanks for the input.

To all that have replied....THANKS!!!! I will let you know how I make out. I just sized and trimmed my first cases this weekend and will be loading some up shortly.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:42 pm

Barnes 255gr fp and 24.5 gr IMR 4198 has been the best load in my 1907 vintage 94. Seems like a mild load but turns in 1 1/2 " groups at 100 yds.