I think I found the load for my Grandpa's 1894 38-55. As most Win 1894's it has a generous groove of .380 so I had Jet Bullets cast some at .381 weighing 273gr FN with a GC. Today I made up 3 loads using SR4759 at 18,19 +20 gr.RCBS was kind enough to send me at no charge a larger seating die to accommodate the fatter bullets without swaging them smaller or wrecking the brass.Using the long thinner Starline brass I was able to make ammo that would feed and chamber.The best group at 100 yards was the 18gr load @ 1.2" for a 3 shot group with irons.Probably around 1400 fps or thereabouts.That ought a do.
38-55 cast
- Thread starter mbogo3
- Start date
Potato boy
Regular
- Location
- North of the mountain
Plenty for deer out to a 100
If one doesn't mind the drop 200 yards will kill deer and bigger stuff just as dead.I'm having Ron Smith re-bore a older pre-side safety 336 in 30-30 to 38-55 so I can put a 4x Leupold on one. Made up at .376 groove with a 1-15 twist instead of the 1-18 or 1-20 of the originals.This way one can use .375 jacketed or cast to fit.
I also got about 15lbs of that powder stashed away somewhere, to bad it was discontinued.
vagrantviking
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I tried Lee 38-55 dies with .379 bullets and it was a disaster. Had to find RCBS Cowboy dies and I'm not sure how they work with anything much bigger than that. Good to hear that they took care of your needs.
Sounds like great success in getting the old girl preforming so well too! Good work!
Looked briefly into swaging bullets from .223 brass with a lead core.......that way you can make any dia you like within reason.Would likely go with the old 255gr CIL profile and make the cannalure in the same places.Future project perhaps $$$$$$$
Exactly what I did about a decade ago after my great uncle died and my great aunt left all his guns to me. I have my iron sights set at 3" high at 100 and I have a tang sight that I flip up for dead on at 200 yards. When I first took a look down the barrel there was hardly any rifling left as it was a 1904 model year and I remember he used it all the time when I visited him on the farm. Driving a slug down the barrel the measurements were the same as yours at .380. I had a mold made up for .381 and I can get 1.5" at 100 meters for 10 shot group with IMR3031. It has taken 4 deer in the last decade as I mainly hunt for moose and I dont have much time to get out and hunt anymore. Lots of fun.
I'd be tempted to look into paper patched bullets. You could do it to jacketed .375" and depending on your paper choice they can get bulked up by .006" to .011" in my experience. It's not as complex as some think it is but it is somewhat labour intensive.
I picked up about 8lbs of SR-4759 when it was discontinued and around the same time greatly reduced my cast bullet loading. Still have a pile as a result. It works great for .44 mag heavy rifle loads.
1.2" 3-shot group at 100? You must have much better eyes than I do. I don't like hunting without a scope because I don't like relying on my poor eyes. I'd say you have a solid deer-slayer in that old rifle. I wish you many big bucks.
I picked up about 8lbs of SR-4759 when it was discontinued and around the same time greatly reduced my cast bullet loading. Still have a pile as a result. It works great for .44 mag heavy rifle loads.
1.2" 3-shot group at 100? You must have much better eyes than I do. I don't like hunting without a scope because I don't like relying on my poor eyes. I'd say you have a solid deer-slayer in that old rifle. I wish you many big bucks.
Yes it did shoot 1.2" but that's on a good day the gun and load can , its the operator that varies day to day.Eyes not what they once were.Regular glasses can't see the sights but target is clear,reading glasses can see sights fine but target is blurry...hate my progressives so don't wear them....grrrrrr.
