.38-55 loading

Levergun · #1 02-21-2018, 07:30 PM

Just aquired my .38-55 in a model .94 diamond jubilee. The intent is to use this rifle as a shooter, but components are about impossible to find. Hornady discontinued their 220 gr flat nose, and all I can find is Barnes 255 gr. Building the load won't be a problem, but does any one know of a more reliable source of bullets? Any load insight would be appreciated as well. New to the cartridge, would like to learn from the guys who have been shooting it instead of the hard way. Thanks.

Boogerfart · #2 02-21-2018, 07:35 PM

Have you thought about casting your own bullets? I've been wanting a 38-55 Just because they do well with cast, would be a good stablemate for my 45-70's in that regard.

Levergun · #3 02-21-2018, 07:41 PM

I might have to go that route. Was hoping not to, but having the jubilee as my shooter has been a goal for some time now, and if that's how I need to do it, then I guess that's what I do.

Boogerfart · #4 02-21-2018, 07:47 PM

Getting into casting doesn't have to be a big deal, I just use old wheel weights from the local tire shop, half my casting gear is from the local thrift shop. I started out with a old pot and ladle, I've since invested in a bottom pour pot. The biggest investment is the collection of molds that's slowly growing.

pgavey · #5 02-21-2018, 07:52 PM

The Bullet Barn has 345 gr RNFP for $47.00 for 200

Hawkeye · #6 02-21-2018, 09:24 PM

This fellow (Terry) has a good reputation.
I think he is located somewhere between Red Deer and Edmonton (he will certainly ship)

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

38-55
1. 250 gr RNFP, plain base .379" ....$25/100; $46/200
2. 265 gr RNFP .379 (.381") gas check....$35/100; $66/200

Dean2 · #7 02-24-2018, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Levergun

Just aquired my .38-55 in a model .94 diamond jubilee. The intent is to use this rifle as a shooter, but components are about impossible to find. Hornady discontinued their 220 gr flat nose, and all I can find is Barnes 255 gr. Building the load won't be a problem, but does any one know of a more reliable source of bullets? Any load insight would be appreciated as well. New to the cartridge, would like to learn from the guys who have been shooting it instead of the hard way. Thanks.

The good news is the modern replicas will take a whole bunch more pressure than the originals so you can get quite a lot better speed. First great thing to know, you can make brass by necking up 30-30 brass. #0-30 and 38-55 brass is MUCH thinner than 375 brass and will produce the same velocity at much lowe pressure so don't get foolled into using 375 Win brass.

As far as bullets, bullet barn will custom size their cast bullets for anything from .376 to ,382 so measure your bore and order .002 larger to ensure a good seal and engagement of the rifling. Sierra still makes a 200 grain FN for the 375 and 38/55 if you want jacketed bullets.

Great article on high performance 38-55 ammo.

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.ph...uct_list&c=175

Huntsman · #8 02-24-2018, 08:24 AM

Dean2, You Sir are the Chuck Hawks of Canadian gun forums

As a matter of fact you respectfully replied to to my thread to offer a threshold of caliber knowledge when I first dove into the new world of of 38/55 cartridge.
It is always so nice to have you on board

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=325578

Op, the article that Mr Dean2 left the link for is an excellent read btw

Thanks Dean2. Keep it up!

Dean2 · #9 02-24-2018, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huntsman

Dean2, You Sir are the Chuck Hawks of Canadian gun forums

As a matter of fact you respectfully replied to to my thread to offer a threshold of caliber knowledge when I first dove into the new world of of 38/55 cartridge.
It is always so nice to have you on board

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=325578

Op, the article that Mr Dean2 left the link for is an excellent read btw

Thanks Dean2. Keep it up!

Thanks. Enough to make a fellow blush.

Op

For powder, try Varget to start with or 4198. Both produce good velocity, low pressure, low kick. Dick posted Western Metals, good link guy. Didn't know about them. Same price for cast as Bullet Barn, don't know if they custom size, but they do have Sierra 200 grain FN in stock for a reasonable price.

For your loads, make sure you crimp the bullets in place. It provides low SD in the straight wall cases, better accuracy and ensures the bullets don't move under recoil. Also, suggest you start load development with magnum primers, CCI 250, typically work well. For some reason they work better in the long straight cases then regular primers.

Diesel_wiesel · #10 02-25-2018, 01:10 PM

cast bullet with a gas check
the 35-55 is not a fast moving or super high pressure caliber
a good cast bullet from Ben Hunchuck at MTY chambers foam lake SK 306-272-4341

Levergun · #11 02-25-2018, 06:51 PM

Thanks to your guys advice, loads are coming along quite nice. As for brass, .38-55 is hard to come by but I have an abundance of .375 win brass. I can hit the COL no problem with it, but the brass will of course be short, and the extra thickness when using .377 bullets should not be a problem. Anybody have experience doing this?