38/55 loading?

[charger 1]

If a fella were to try to shoot for high test smokeless 38/55 250-260 grain loads, what kinda FPS would we be talkin? I got great things happening around 1440 fps. but I wanta get things in line with my tang sight. So would any of the smokeless early loads came out there?

[onceabull]

c-1 : My old Lyman handbook fro the '50's shows these: with lyman #375248@ 250 gr, 30 gr #3031 to get 1575 fps,or 20 gr 4198 to get 1605 fps. With Lyman #375296 @ 265 gr,32 gr 3031 to get 1625fps. ALSO,shows MAX of 35 gr #3031 to make 1820 fps with a 265 gr jacketed bulet.. No mention of what brass,barrel length ,primer maker,,bullet maker,or any of that stuff that didn't matter back then!! Use caution,and have fun //// Onceabull

[charger 1]

I dont know . 1800+ in a pre 1900 unproofed gun. I dont think so. I'm up to 1620's now and I gotta test accuracy, but if it aint gone south, I'm staying put

[Boomer Mikey]

Most of these rifles have the original 2.125" long chambers and bore groove sizes are usually between 0.377" - 0.380". Starline 2.125" long brass will typically allow 0.381" - 0.382" bullets to chamber reliably. RCBS Cowboy dies are a good choice for this caliber using cast bullets and I prefer to use a Lyman "M" die to expand the cases necks or I re-work the RCBS expander to put a step in the case neck at the size I want to prevent shaving larger bullets. I adjust the sizing die to partial size fired cases to original, new case mouth diameter. Bullets should be seated so they will just barely release from the throat when the action is opened and crimp just enough to remove the step or bell in the case from the expander die to permit reliable cambering without draging case necks in the H&R rifles.

I use H4198 and WLR or Federal primers for most of my 38-55 loads, Federals for the light to medium loads and WLR's for full power loads. No fillers were used with these loads.

Loads:

All of these are published loads; none exceed SAAMI pressure limits for modern rifles suitable for smokeless powder using lead bullets between 250 and 270 grains.

21 - 23 grains H4198 1200 - 1400 fps (match load)
18 grains H4227 1300 fps
20 - 22 grains WW296 1550 - 1675 fps (do not reduce below 20 grains)
20 - 22 grains 2400 1625 - 1800 fps
26 - 33 grains 3031 1350 - 1900 fps
27 - 32 grains RL-7 1400 - 1800 fps
23 - 28 grains H4198 1400- 1900 fps (full power)

Just about any of the popular 30-30 powders will work, 3031 and RL-7 are sure bets

H4198 has been my go to powder but H322, also works very well with heavier bullets. I also use some Titegroup for plinking/cowboy loads between 8 and 10 grains for 1000 - 1100 fps Unique will do the same and 6.5 grains of Red Dot for 1000 fps is popular as well.

The most important thing is to load the largest bullet you can chamber. Get a sizer die to make 0.381" bullets and the rest is easy.

Boomer