Loading the 38-55

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Ohio3Wheels
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Loading the 38-55

Post by Ohio3Wheels »

So far I've picked up 50 StarLine cases and a sample pack of Mo Bullets #1 Ballard in the coated version. It's a RNFP at 245 grains that seated to the crimp groove comes in at 2.52". That's as far as I plan to go until the rifle is back from Oregon.

Anyway, anybody got a favorite load either cast or jacket?

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Re: Loading the 38-55

Post by Ranch Dog »

Ohio3Wheels wrote:So far I've picked up 50 StarLine cases and a sample pack of Mo Bullets #1 Ballard in the coated version. It's a RNFP at 245 grains that seated to the crimp groove comes in at 2.52". That's as far as I plan to go until the rifle is back from Oregon.

Anyway, anybody got a favorite load either cast or jacket?
I haven't shot any jacketed bullets in mine, but not sure if my suggestions are what you would be interested in as I shoot hard cast at 40.0K PSI.
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Re: Loading the 38-55

Post by runfiverun »

one of the best 38-55 loads I ever tried was a very simple 265gr plain base cast bullet on top of 9.5grs of Unique.
it seems like a not very impressive load but it shoots very well and equals a pretty decent mid range 44 mag load.
or pretty much the old black powder 38-55 ballistics.
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Re: Loading the 38-55

Post by Ohio3Wheels »

Thank you both. The Mo Bullets I've got are said to be 18bhn, so, reasonably hard I think.

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Re: Loading the 38-55

Post by Ranch Dog »

Ohio3Wheels wrote:Thank you both. The Mo Bullets I've got are said to be 18bhn, so, reasonably hard I think.
Gas checked?
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Re: Loading the 38-55

Post by Missionary »

Greetings
If those slugs are coated (bake on powder coat) then you can easily push them out the bore at 1500 fps.
Most any powder faster than Unique will easily get the job done.

We have numerous 38-55 rifles. Our all purpose cast bullet is the 255 grain plain base FN types most any outfit sells. they will go through most any corn cruncher from most any angle chugging along at any velocity over 1300 fps. So clock them up to 1500 fps and you have all you need for critters under 500 pounds.
Your 235 grainer was made for the 375 Winchester so it could get to 2000 fps with jacketed things. But in the 38-55 they will flatten any bean eater at 1500 fps.

Just be sure the diameter of the slug is groove plus at least .001 (we prefer .002) and you should be a happy hunter. Fine tune the powder up and down .. find the sweet vibration zone and have a ball.

For large mean things we use anywhere from 270-300 grainers FNGC and not wonder about impact results.
Mike in Peru
Way down south in Arequipa, Peru till June 2020.
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Re: Loading the 38-55

Post by Ohio3Wheels »

Ranch Dog wrote:
Ohio3Wheels wrote:Thank you both. The Mo Bullets I've got are said to be 18bhn, so, reasonably hard I think.
Gas checked?
Nope, but his batch is coated with their HyTech coating.

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