Loads for 38-55 with 335 gr. Boolit

[Johnw...ski]

Got myself a Lyman mold #378674 335 gr. for my future 38-55.
Anyone have any suggestions for starting loads for a modern hi-wall with 1-14" twist?
I would like to end up around 1400 to 1500 FPS and use slower powders so I don't have to deal with fillers.

Thanks,

John

[Hayfield]

John. I don't know about smokeless here but should you ever get the bug the BP load I use is 48 grs Swiss FFFg, compressed .250 with an OP card, RP brass, Fed 215 p. My bullet is a Hudson style 335 gr from a Brooks mold. Shot from a Ballard Far West. Shoots one ragged hole at 100 with 25:1 alloy. I should mention that my bore is .376 not .378. It's great till I get to the rams at 500. Leaves alot of good hits still standing. 1297fps + or - 3fps.

[Johnw...ski]

John. I don't know about smokeless here but should you ever get the bug the BP load I use is 48 grs Swiss FFFg, compressed .250 with an OP card, RP brass, Fed 215 p. My bullet is a Hudson style 335 gr from a Brooks mold. Shot from a Ballard Far West. Shoots one ragged hole at 100 with 25:1 alloy. I should mention that my bore is .376 not .378. It's great till I get to the rams at 500. Leaves alot of good hits still standing. 1297fps + or - 3fps.

Thats very impressive. Hope I can find an equal load with smokeless.
What are you sizing your boolit to?
They tell me my bore is .375, but I will have to slug it when I get the finished rifle.
I was planing to size .001 to .002 over bore dia.

John

[Hayfield]

John. I was told my bore would be .375 also. Slugged it and it was .376 which was fine by me. Sent the slug off to Brookes to make a mold for me for that bore,bullet is .377 at the base and one band up and tapers from there. This lets me seat it well up into the bore. I don't size BP rifle bullets ever. Pan lube. 1 or 2 thou over is what I use for smokeless and I cast them way harder and usually use GC bullets. I've never shot smokeless with the Ballard so I have no Idea what I'd expect. It's a 1:14 also. I think using the Greenhill formula all you could expect is a bullet 1.3" long if I remember correctly.

[jlchucker]

I hope you are thinking of a 38-55 other than the H&R. I just bought a new one, and have never been more disappointed. Keyholes at 25 yd with cast bullets. One hole accuracy with Winchester commercial jacketed rounds. Customer Service dumb woman (calls you "honey" while she chews gum) says gun is not intended for reloads and cast bullets. .377 and .378 commercial cast, 1-20 Lyman 375248's were next to useless behind several different powder charges. Bore was slugged .375-land, .377 groove before trying. I will try casting some of my own, but my patience with this gun will run out if exotic machining on a new rifle to make it shoot cast bullets at modest velocities is required.

[Adam10mm]

The 378674 is an excellent bullet. I use in in my Holland.

[Boomer Mikey]

I hope you are thinking of a 38-55 other than the H&R. I just bought a new one, and have never been more disappointed. Keyholes at 25 yd with cast bullets. One hole accuracy with Winchester commercial jacketed rounds. Customer Service dumb woman (calls you "honey" while she chews gum) says gun is not intended for reloads and cast bullets. .377 and .378 commercial cast, 1-20 Lyman 375248's were next to useless behind several different powder charges. Bore was slugged .375-land, .377 groove before trying. I will try casting some of my own, but my patience with this gun will run out if exotic machining on a new rifle to make it shoot cast bullets at modest velocities is required.


Look in the single shot forum for 38-55 threads and issues with the H&R Target rifle... most of the issues are resolved by using new production Starline 2.125" cases with boolits sized 0.380" - 0.381". Winchester cases won't allow bullets this diameter to chamber.

Midway stocks the new cases or you can order them directly from Starline on-line.

Boomer :Fire: