bullet choice for 38-55?

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boxhitch

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Loading a falling block single shot so options are open

It seems the most common bullet is in the 245-255 gr range and is semiwad-cutter or flat point of some sort
From what I can see these are most likely for a lever gun at low speeds for cowboy or plinking
Is there a better choice for single-feed target and or mid/long distance shooting, maybe a round nose or spire point?

Heavier has a better BC but where does speed of something lighter trump the better ballistics of a heavier weight?
Have seen bullets as high as 365 gr, which seems excessive maybe?
Is there a happy medium somewhere
 
The 250 gr fp is the traditional bullet used. Heavier bullets are available but won’t expand at 38-55 velocity’s. With black powder I use the cast 255 gr and 335 gr Lyman which I cast myself. If your not using them for hunting you can use the heavier bullets. Heavier bullets are usually 0.375 which is too small for most 38-55’s. 0.378 being normal bore diameter. Some rifles will shoot the 0.375 but a lot won’t.
 
this one is 379/373
you say traditional....if the 38-55 was designed as a target shooter with BP I'm assuming speeds were low
Bringing this to the modern era of smokeless loads closer to 1800-2000 should change the character quite a bit
plus single feed so not stacking in a magazine tube
so exploring all options
 
The old standard load was a 255 grain at around 1300 fps. Sounds pretty feeble but a sure killer at woods ranges. Back in the early 20th century a high velocity 38/55 loading was offered by a couple different US makers. I think jacketed 255 grain at around 1750 fps. Was recommended only for 1893 Marlin, 1894 winchester and 1885 highball, 99 savage all with nickel steel barrels.
 
boxhitch said:
For 255 gr cast, Hodgdon data has several starting loads in the mid 1600s, with max in the 1800ish zone
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Those would be considered hot loads above maximum for most rifles. I would check with the manufacturer to see what they recommend. Just because a gun is modern made doesn’t mean it can be hot loaded. Strength is in the design of the rifle. I won’t use them in my Winchester 94. I likely could load hotter in my Savage 99 but I don’t like the possibility of hot loads accidentally getting into a rifle they shouldn’t.
I have a 375 Winchester which is a modern 38-55 that is a lot more powerful.
 
I'd have no qualms with loading either the 94 or 1885 to the max spec set by SAAMI for the cartridge
The brass is going to be the limiting factor way before there is any action catastrophe
There are levels of pressure loads for the 45/70 because of the types of actions it was available in, no such warnings for 38-55

but what di i know , shrug )
 
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Snider shooter said:
The 250 gr fp is the traditional bullet used. Heavier bullets are available but won’t expand at 38-55 velocity’s. With black powder I use the cast 255 gr and 335 gr Lyman which I cast myself. If your not using them for hunting you can use the heavier bullets. Heavier bullets are usually 0.375 which is too small for most 38-55’s. 0.378 being normal bore diameter. Some rifles will shoot the 0.375 but a lot won’t.
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If that 335 comes out 378 which is decent, and a nice round nose shape might be a good choice for a highwall
I see Lyman has a .381 mold, only 250 gr
BACO has several in the 360 gr area
 
I size to 0.380 for both of my rifles. The Lyman 335 does work well. Only problem is they have to be single loaded in my Winchester 94 due to length. Using a single shot shouldn’t be a problem. Lyman calls it a semi pointed bullet. Lots of 38-55 moulds are available through custom mould makers.
 
Those 360-365gr bullets are designed for fast twist barrels, generally 1-12 or sometimes even 1-10 twist, and are often used in cases with a little more powder capacity like the 38-50 Remington Hepburn. They've been used very successfully in BPCR silhouette. I've recently started to play with a CPA in 38-50RH with a 1:12 twist barrel and a BACO 360gr money bullet just because I've always wanted to give one a try.

Most single shots in 38-55 will have twists as slow as 1:16, and as fast as 1-14. With those a 330gr or so bullet is a better bet. I know lots of people like that Lyman bullet. I haven't used it, but have shot a 320gr paper patched bullet in 1:14 & 1:15 twist rifles with good results.

One bullet that shoots pretty decently for me is a Hoch 377310 which is a 310gr bullet with a roundish nose and a small meplat.

Chris.
 
Hodgdon data has info on a 338 gr'er in a 1:18 twist, pushed to 1550ish fps, must be okay

In the op, I'm trying to find info on when and where to use a lighter 250 and when a heavier 330+ is better
in regard to a single shot 1885 where good velocities can be used to a benefit
 
Those longer bullets are pretty much used when shooting longer distances for target shooting, that'd be your advantage. Higher bc for less wind drift. If you are target shooting at 200 or less its not going to amount to much. I can't give any advice on what your want if it's for hunting.

Chris.
 
hello, nice to see a 38-55 mentioned.
i run a 375 winchester big bore model 94 but its loaded like a 38-55, i say this as i use a 245gr hard cast and SFA powder an think it was like 1600fps or so.... kills der at typical open sight ranges but isnt the greatest killer - aim for them shoulders--
penetration ...you could like up 15 deer an a moose on the end an the moose might catch it on the far side...... lol


your Question about where to use a 250 an where to use a 380...... welllllll.... if theres a critter that will deflect a 250gr cast boolit at a modest 1300-1600 then i dont think the 380s guna help too much more? being "slow" the "lighter" stuff penetrates awesomely..

i use mine for close range work, i actually want to get it back on jacketed stuff but prices are silly here $65 for 50 sierras..

hytek coating seems to work good i nthe hard cast, i dont use a gas check, sized .376 seems to be working fine for what it is.

i wont go in any shooting comp with them but ill tackle a moose if anyones willing :D :p

cheers
 
the 38-55 is a new venture, who knows it may be a moose rifle some day, though the 34" tube might need to be mounted like a punt gun :unsure::LOL:
for now it will be used on steel out to 500 just for s&g's
 
Snider shooter said:
Those would be considered hot loads above maximum for most rifles. I would check with the manufacturer to see what they recommend. Just because a gun is modern made doesn’t mean it can be hot loaded. Strength is in the design of the rifle. I won’t use them in my Winchester 94. I likely could load hotter in my Savage 99 but I don’t like the possibility of hot loads accidentally getting into a rifle they shouldn’t.
I have a 375 Winchester which is a modern 38-55 that is a lot more powerful.
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"Hot" loads and 38-55's have more than a few misconceptions around them. As you said, the strength is in the design of the rifle. A Model 94 can take a lot more pressure than most think, as a 307 Winchester, and as you stated a 375 Winchester are both rated for 60,000 and 55,000 psi respectively. You could load hotter in a Savage 99, as it has been chambered in 308, which is 62,000 psi. Obviously this would have to do a lot with the age and the condition of rifles being used, barrel steel, and so on.
The 38-55 is a grand round, and is definitely a capable cartridge. It's even more capable when loaded to it's full potential with lighter, faster bullets, or even with the classic 255 grain ones.

R.
 
lighter/faster vs weightier/ slower
bullets over 350 gr get up into a b.c. of .40 ish, 250s are lower near .25
going to try some 300+ but my tang sight is tied up in CP :(
 
found
h ttps://www.chuckhawks.com/38-55_gentle_medium.html
h ttps://www.chuckhawks.com/38-55win.htm

am surprised at some of the speeds though, with 29 gr of imr3031 this rifle gets 1540ish @ 255 gr cast
 
boxhitch said:
lighter/faster vs weightier/ slower
bullets over 350 gr get up into a b.c. of .40 ish, 250s are lower near .25
going to try some 300+ but my tang sight is tied up in CP :(
Click to expand...
Well... a 38-55 is more known for launching brick shaped projectiles than it is for high BC pointy stuff. Check out what PSI your action can take, then look at some bullet molds, and go from there? It is a great round, and lots can be done with it,
Chuck Hawkes is the ultimate couch rider do nothing internet writer. Having said that, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every so often. A feller can push a 255 fairly fast, if he knows the limits of his action, Never met a 38-55 yet that didn't like 3031. Faster powders yet can top 2000fps....

R.
 
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