38-55 cast

[Dean2]

Hillfolk musket supplies in Senlac SK is another option for local stuff. Rusty Wood also has stuff but I doubt they would have RB in the right size. . Ph. # is 1-306-228-2949 for Hillfolk

[qwert]

Originally Posted by Dean2

snip
The Bullet Barn bullets are 25 Brinell, as are most bullets or balls made from wheel weights, and far too hard to easily push through a bore manually.

I have not tested Bullet Barn boolits, but have never found any WW lead alloy harder than ~17 BHN even after quench hardening in water.
Linotype is normally ~22 BHN. (I have not tested Zn WW, but suspect it would test harder.)

I separate clip-on and stick-on WW before smelting. CO lead is great for boolits,
SO lead (~6 BHN) or pure soft lead (~5 BHN) is recommended best for slugging bores, and casting shotgun slugs, and BP muzzle loaders.

http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletAlloy.htm
http://www.lasc.us/CastBulletNotes.htm

From http://www.lasc.us/
Ask yourself this question . . .
Just what is it that government has in mind
that they feel they cannot do with an armed society?

Good Luck, YMMV.

[Dean2]

Qwert, I have not "tested" the Bullet Barn bullets either, but 25 is what they advertise. I have no reason to doubt them. My point was not the exact hardness, the point was about pure lead being a hell of a lot easier to hand push through a bore than either BB bullets or balls cast from wheel weights. I will stick to that point even with 15 BN balls since pure lead is about 5 BN.

[qwert]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Qwert, I have not "tested" the Bullet Barn bullets either, but 25 is what they advertise. I have no reason to doubt them. My point was not the exact hardness, the point was about pure lead being a hell of a lot easier to hand push through a bore than either BB bullets or balls cast from wheel weights. I will stick to that point even with 15 BN balls since pure lead is about 5 BN.

Agreed, I only use soft 5-6 BHN lead for slugging a bore,

and another reason to 'test' advertising claims.
Bullet Barn 'could' be adding 'monotype', or 'foundry lead', or adding arsenic and using oven heat treating, (but I doubt it.)

Good Luck, YMMV.

[Pioneer2]

Ron Smith is going to re-bore a pre-crossbolt safety Marlin 336 that is presently a 30-30 into a 38-55 for me with a 1-15" twist and a .376 groove.Already factory D+T so I can put a fixed 2.5x ,3X or 4x on it.Buying a shot out .32 Special is also a good donor gun.

[astuart44]

I have read of Bullet Barn bullets breaking up on heavy bone due to high BHN, but at these velocities, prob not an issue. Google Jethunter cast bullets. Great stuff and local in Canada.

[Pioneer2]

Using Jet cast bullets.

[wolf308]

Originally Posted by Dean2

.401 is going to be WAY too big, even on the most worn out barrels. You are talking .023 increase in Diameter which is a big increase in circumference. That would be a very bad thing in any gun let alone one 100 years old. I would push a pure lead .380, not a hard cast or wheel weight, round through the bore and then buy cast that size. If that goes through too easily go up to .385. You can also get it re-barreled for not a lot of money.

Haha. Ya. We're you sure right.

.381" I got.
Bullet barn is gonna send me some un sized bullets he hopes is 381-382

Found the calibre marking too. Under side of barrelll.

Pulling it all apart to re sand / stain wood. Glue cracks. And re blue steel

[Pioneer2]

http://www.jetbullets.com/hardcast-rifle-bullets-.html

[Pioneer2]

You have tried .381's and they were sloppy? If you need larger bullets then next issue will be finding a die seater and brass that will fit the chamber when loaded. The only other option is shooting soft plain based bullets under sized and hoping they expand to fit the grooves on ignition.

[wolf308]

Originally Posted by Pioneer2

You have tried .381's and they were sloppy? If you need larger bullets then next issue will be finding a die seater and brass that will fit the chamber when loaded. The only other option is shooting soft plain based bullets under sized and hoping they expand to fit the grooves on ignition.

No I have not.

I slugged the barrel - .381".

[wolf308]

Originally Posted by Pioneer2

http://www.jetbullets.com/hardcast-rifle-bullets-.html

Thanks

[Dean2]

Glad that worked out for you. The unsized ones from Bullet Barn should be pretty good. Hard to get much bigger than .382 unless you order a custom mold and do your own. If you buy enough of them Bullet Barn will custom throw for you but I doubt you will want that many. Would be cheaper to re-barrel.

I shoot a lot of their cast bullets in a wide variety of calibers and weights, all have been very good.

[Pioneer2]

If your gun isn't in pieces I'm wanting to go to the Red Deer range PDQ to sight in my 38-55 perhaps on boxing day 10am or so. I can load you up 10 or so mild .381's and see if they print nose first on paper? If you don't still have my cell or home # send me a message.Pre -Christmas is a little too busy. I just found out I'm preparing a turkey supper.Who knew? Have a Merry Christmas..............Harold

[wolf308]

hey thanks man ...awe crap ya she is in pieces ...... just working on the cracks,dirt,bluing and sand and re finish ....

another time bud

[Pioneer2]

Another time.