.38-55 loads

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

Howdy,
It's not really a Buffler gun, but this is the only board where folks seem to talk about the .38-55.  Yesterday I cast a bunch of Ideal 375166's. It's a black powder bullet, but I want to try out some smokeless, too.  I've never loaded smokeless for this rifle, an 1885 High Wall reproduction by Winchester, 28" barrel, 1:18 twist.  I've had good success using Swiss and various bullets.

The bullet's pretty heavy, about 315 gr. ungreased. I'm not looking for much in muzzle velocity. Maybe 1200, 1300.
According to my research, most people use H4227 and SR-4759, also 3031, and the venerable standby: Unique.  I may try Trailboss, just cause I have a big pile of it and I don't have the other powders on hand.

So, does anyone here shoot smokeless in the .38-55?
Have you tried it with heavy bullets (out to a couple hundred yards)?
What's your favorite powder?
What lube do you use? I'd like to use bp lube, since that's what's in the lubrisizer.

Here's the bullet:

[Ranch 13]

I shot 5744 with the bullets lubed with bullshop nasa, when I had a 38-55.

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

I shot 5744 with the bullets lubed with bullshop nasa, when I had a 38-55.

Thanks. Do you have any idea what your velocity was? I just measured hardness and Lee says they're around Bhn 13.9 a day after casting.  That means I should keep the velocity between 1000-1400 (according to Fryxell or some guru)

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[Ranch 13]

I never chronographed it, but taking from the Lyman 49th handbook I'ld of guessed the velocity to be a bit over 1300 fps.

[G W Wade]

p-layed around with win 375 big bore--shot rcbs 250gr infornt of 16 gr 2400.  good groups and equll to 38/55 vel @1300 fps

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

p-layed around with win 375 big bore--shot rcbs 250gr infornt of 16 gr 2400.  good groups and equll to 38/55 vel @1300 fps

Did you use a filler?  I've seen a lot of discussion about powder position and 2400, also 4227.

Thanks, JD

[Four-Eyed Buck]

XMP5744-265g soft lead-18.5g in a 26" Marlin barrel 1309 FPS. Juust shy of the factory load when the old girl was new( 1899)

[G W Wade]

man of few words- nope

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

XMP5744-265g soft lead-18.5g in a 26" Marlin barrel 1309 FPS. Juust shy of the factory load when the old girl was new( 1899)

Bet that's a sweet shooter! I had a chance to get a turn of the century Winchester .38-55 several years ago. It looked pretty ratty and I turned it down. But I'm still thinking I should have bought it and brought it back to life....

man of few words- nope

Only a few words needed.