So I have been waiting to try some unique powder in my 38-55. But as everybody knows it is hard to find these days! I was thinking 8 gr under a 245 soft lead bullet. im trying to swell the base of the bullet a little to grab some more riffling. I am suffering from the classic 38-55 woes :-( . any other powders to try that are more readily available. something in hogdons or imr perhaps? thanks in advance for the info
38-55 powders. different options?
- Thread starter mike44325
- Start date
Could always go for Trail Boss. It tends to have higher pressure for any given velocity so could help obturate the bases.
Have you looked into either casting or ordering custom sized cast bullets for full rifling engagement? Would have to slug the bore to get a measurement though.
Have you looked into either casting or ordering custom sized cast bullets for full rifling engagement? Would have to slug the bore to get a measurement though.
Use cast .001-.002 over bore. Place a card or wad under the cast bullet to prevent deformation by the powder.
You can always go real classic and use BP.........
- Location
- Golden Lake
Just fill the case (FFg).
The famous gun writer Mike Venturino wrote that he uses 16 grs of H322 in his .38-55.
I've used 30 grs of IMR 3031, 15 grs of 2400, 24 grs of IMR 4198, 35 grs of H335, 22 grs of IMR 4198.
If this is in fact, true, you have the largest 38-55 groove diameter I have ever heard of!! Generally they go between .376 and .380, with most commonly in the .377-.379 area.
I use H322 in my 38-55 [.3765 groove] with jacketed bullets only, at 30.5 grains behind the 255 grain Barnes original.
I really like IMR or H4198, or Norma 200 with cast. Usually right around 24.0 grains works best.
I found 3031 good with heavier cast GC bullets [285 grain] but it leaves unburned powder in the bore with the lighter offerings.
Regards, Dave.
Black powder is always referred to in grains of powder by volume NOT by weight. The case will hold approx 55 grains by volume. The appropriate powder to use is FFg powder (powder is graded by the size of the powder granuals). The most common powder is Goex and then Swiss. There are a couple of BP substitutes such as Pyrodex - Cartridge or Rifle powders, Triple seven FFg powder. These are measured by volume as well.
Get a Lyman Black Powder Manual, there is a lot of information in there related to BP cartridge rifles, pistols and muzzleloaders.
I have no signs of pressure on the cartridge cases from my 1906 Winchester M94 Carbine. It gives me an average muzzle velocity of 1,258 fps. Mind you, that load is my upper limit using Unique.
I've had good results in the .38-55 with Fg, FFg, and FFFg. In addition to the smokeless powders listed, you will also find that SR-4759 ( now unfortunately discontinued ), and H-4227, will work very well. The .38-55 is capable of excellent accuracy with any of these powders. My preference is FFg Express ( also unfortunately discontinued).
Chris.
Chris.
- Location
- Near Yorkton
I use 12.0 grs Trail Boss and 10.0 grs Unique.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
I tested a 265 gr BB hard cast bullet with 10 gr of trail boss in a buddies early 1900's 94 Win that shot clover leaf groups with that old gun but the best I could get with my own guns was in the 2 - 2.5" range with the same load. Might be worth a try for you.
Mike, I'd re-slug that bore. I've got a couple of my own .38-55's and read about a lot of folks with them on the web. If your measurement of .383" for the groove diameter is correct then I agree with the other fellow that you've got the largest ever bore. So I'm sort of inclined to feel that something is wonky. Or perhaps the bore is just plain shot out if it's an older rifle. What is it you have anyway?
Be sure the bore is lightly but well oiled when you slug the bore. If you have to hammer the test slug out perhaps you obturated it to a larger shape. A bit of oil will aid in ensuring you have a push fit instead of a hammer fit.
A note on black powder. While it is true that it's typically measured in volume there's a catch. Because black powder was the FIRST powder and because it has always had a very stable sort of density it's become normal to measure by volume. But the volume is supposed to be representative of the WEIGHT of the powder. So for field use because it's easier we use volume measures that are graduated in the amount of powder that SHOULD weigh the same as the number listed on the measure. It's a shortcut used by hundreds of years worth of black powder shooters to the point where the original intent of field simplicity is all but forgotten.
And keep in mind that this only applies when using proper black powder where the volume and weight coincide. Don't go confusing this with any of the BP substitutes.
The serious black powder accuracy shooters do not rely on the volume measures. Instead they weigh their powder just like a modern smokeless loader does. It's a lot more consistent that way. Measuring by volume equivalent is always going to be a little less consistent. It's close enough for most cases but not good enough for serious long range accuracy shooting.
If you start playing with black powder cartridge loads keep in mind that you don't want any air space at all. If you want to run less than a case full of powder then a filler must be used to fill the rest of the space. Suitable fillers are things like oat bran, cream of wheat and other small particle grains that are not abrasive to metal. Also the amount of compression you give to the powder will affect how it shoots. That's a bit I got from a long time black powder cartridge shooter at the range one day. Now all that may sound like a lot but in the end it's not any more or less complicated than smokeless. Just different.
Be sure the bore is lightly but well oiled when you slug the bore. If you have to hammer the test slug out perhaps you obturated it to a larger shape. A bit of oil will aid in ensuring you have a push fit instead of a hammer fit.
A note on black powder. While it is true that it's typically measured in volume there's a catch. Because black powder was the FIRST powder and because it has always had a very stable sort of density it's become normal to measure by volume. But the volume is supposed to be representative of the WEIGHT of the powder. So for field use because it's easier we use volume measures that are graduated in the amount of powder that SHOULD weigh the same as the number listed on the measure. It's a shortcut used by hundreds of years worth of black powder shooters to the point where the original intent of field simplicity is all but forgotten.
And keep in mind that this only applies when using proper black powder where the volume and weight coincide. Don't go confusing this with any of the BP substitutes.
The serious black powder accuracy shooters do not rely on the volume measures. Instead they weigh their powder just like a modern smokeless loader does. It's a lot more consistent that way. Measuring by volume equivalent is always going to be a little less consistent. It's close enough for most cases but not good enough for serious long range accuracy shooting.
If you start playing with black powder cartridge loads keep in mind that you don't want any air space at all. If you want to run less than a case full of powder then a filler must be used to fill the rest of the space. Suitable fillers are things like oat bran, cream of wheat and other small particle grains that are not abrasive to metal. Also the amount of compression you give to the powder will affect how it shoots. That's a bit I got from a long time black powder cartridge shooter at the range one day. Now all that may sound like a lot but in the end it's not any more or less complicated than smokeless. Just different.
