.38-55 alloy question

[mcgiiver]

I am using the Lee mold .379-250, which I have lapped out to cast a 0.3805" bullet. The bore of my H & R Target rifle slugs out to 0.3805". I am hoping to find an alloy that will bump up upon firing to work in this rifle. The alloy which I intend to try is 96% lead, 1.1% Tin, and 2.9% Antimony. Does everyone think this alloy will do what I need? I have been shooting it with 17.2 grains of IMR 4227. BTW, I do not own a sizer.

[centershot]

I use a similar alloy, 94-3-3, with the Lee mould in my .375 Winchester running at 1297 fps. Accuracy is good and there is no leading. I wanted to duplicate the original 38-55 load at 1300 fps so I settled on 10.0 grains of Unique. Your load is probably in the 15-1600 fps range which is as fast as a plain base bullet could be expected to run without leading. I think it will bump up but would prefer less antimony if it were mine. The original loadings utilized a 20:1 alloy IIRC, so 5 percent tin and no antimony.

[Oklahoma Rebel]

I would think it would bump up, unless you are heat treating.

[Kraschenbirn]

I cast 300 gr. CBs from 3 parts straight Pb to 1 part COWW + 2% Sn for smokeless loads launched at around 1275 fps from my Cimarron Highwall. Boolits drop .380-.381 and are loaded 'as cast' after pan lubing with Emmert's. No leading and sub-2 moa accuracy using Shaver Soule sights.

Bill

[country gent]

I use 20-1 in my 38-55 and air cooled. The bullets are 335 grn lyman and a 350 grn old west Nasa I load these over black powder for around 1250 fps. I shoot these out to 500 yards in shilouette matches. they are also pan lubed with either SPG or emmerts improved lubes. I use a homemade cake cutter to remove them from the pan. I get no leading with these loads good accuracy