Looking for .38-55 bullets?

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Wardo1974

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Hi there guys,

I am looking for sources of bullets for the .38-55. I see that the Bullet Barn has 245 grain cast slugs, but I wondered if anyone knows where I could get any others? I'm looking for any size other than the 245 size Bullet Barn has...or, actually, the same bullets if they happen to be cheaper than their prices.

If anybody casts .38-55 bullets on the site here, I'd be very interested in those, too.
 
Cactus Plains markets a plain Base, cast bullet at 265 grains.
It is sized to .379"
I also have a bunch of 285 grain cast, with a Gas Check, sized at .380"
I believe these were cast in Lyman's 375499 mold.
But I cannot remember the source of these. :(
Both these shoot very well indeed in my 38-55, which has a groove diameter of .377"
Of Course, Barnes makes an excellent 255 grain jacketed SP, at .377" diameter.
This, bullet, however, is not for someone trying to load the 38-55 economically.
My rifle, using H322 behind this slug, will flirt with 1 moa at 100 yards.
I shot my second largest whitetail with this combo 3 years ago.
Shot was about 80 yards, and penetration was complete.
I'm sure there are some on here who are casting for this chambering.
Eagleye.
 
Cactus Plains doesn't have a website, I'm pretty sure it's just a guy in Saskatchewan who casts his own.

Google "Plains Ammunition Supply", that should give you the phone number to call.

Only place I've ever seen Cactus Plains bullets is in Whole Sale Sports here in Winnipeg, but I have to measure the bore diameter of my old 94 Winchester before I buy any.
 
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Cactus Plains is a business and a certified cast bullet manufacturer, try 1-306-671-7123. I've been using his cast lead bullets in .38-55, .38, 9mm, .44, .45ACP for over 22 years now.
 
Hey Wardo!

If you are in Kingston, Wardo, you are pretty close to my pal Rick, from R&R Bullets. His shop is in Maitland, outside of Brockville. He casts a ton of different calibers and I'm sure that he has something that you could use. Plus, on his machine, you could order a mould that would fit it and he could cast exactly what you want.
RandRbullets@gmail.com. 613 340-6043. Tell him the Hatman sent you.....
 
I've been casting with the Lee mold and sizing .380" for a Pedersoli Hi Wall. What type of rifle do you have and have you slugged the barrel? Some of the cheaper Italian guns needed .382" bullets but had tight chambers that made cases a tight fit with this oversized lead. Jacketed bullets are sold at .375" for this calibre.
 
hk33ka1 said:
I've been casting with the Lee mold and sizing .380" for a Pedersoli Hi Wall. What type of rifle do you have and have you slugged the barrel? Some of the cheaper Italian guns needed .382" bullets but had tight chambers that made cases a tight fit with this oversized lead. Jacketed bullets are sold at .375" for this calibre.
Click to expand...

Barnes makes an original design Jacketed bullet specifically for
the 38-55 Winchester/Ballard. [255 grains, cannelure in correct location.]
It is .377" diameter, and shoots well in bores up to at least .379"

If you try to use the Barnes .375" diameter 255 grain bullet in a 38-55
case, you will run into problems in the M94 Winchester because it is too
long to feed through the action. [It is designed for the 375 Winchester]
However, this problem goes away if you use the somewhat shorter 375
Winchester brass.

The 375" diameter bullet may or may not shoot in the larger bores.

My 38-55 shoots both 255 grain bullets quite well.
However, it does NOT shoot the Hornady 220 grain .375 bullet designed for the 375 Winchester.
Regards, Eagleye
 
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