38-55 with Winchester 748 powder

[OlDeuce]

I'm looking for some load info using the Winchester 748 powder? using the 300gr CB from a SAECO-571 mold!!
My winchester is the 1894 with a 32" barrel....I have loads using the IMRs 3031 & 4198 and 3fff GOEX
The 748 is a hard find?????

Ol Deuce

[OlDeuce]

748 Winchester must be a poor choice! ......... Ol Deuce

[Scharfschuetze]

748 Winchester must be a poor choice! ......... Ol Deuce

It's a good powder in bottle neck cases generating fairly high pressure. I think that you're probably right about it in the 38/55.

[MT Chambers]

That powder, like a lot of other ball powders, does not lend itself to reduced loads, which are standard in the 38/55.

[OlDeuce]

Thank you I got a great buy on this 748 Hmmm I'll get a lot of good shooting done in the 'Ol 30-30 .............Ol Deuce

[MostlyLeverGuns]

Be careful with 748, I found a load developed at 50 degrees way over-pressure at 90 degrees in 308 (4 grains difference withe 150 grain bullet from 50 to 90 degrees). It is quite temperature sensitive, can be accurate but likes high pressure.

[Kraschenbirn]

+1 on 748 temp. sensitivity issues. When 748 was first introduced, I was shooting IHMSA and, on hot days, it was common practice for guys using 748 to bring their ammo to the firing line in 6-pack coolers. Admittedly, most of us were using "redline" loads in our TCs and XP-100s but it was common knowledge that 748 and 90 deg. temps were a bad combination.

Bill

[Scharfschuetze]

I got a great buy on this 748

I once got a great buy on 748 too. I've been using it for almost 30 years now, but sadly, it looks like that supply will only last another year or two. It's about all I use in full power 223 loads for match and varmint shooting.

[OlDeuce]

Well that answered that !!! the hot weather shooting is where I shoot the most!! I'll stick with my 4198 & 3fff ....makes life much easier
THANK YOU! ........Randy

[OlDeuce]

It's a good powder in bottle neck cases generating fairly high pressure. I think that you're probably right about it in the 38/55.

This 748 powder must loose pressure in straight wall cases like 38-55 & 45-70 ........?

Ol Deuce

[Texas by God]

It's only good in the 38-55 if you load it hotter than you should for an antique rifle. If your 1894 Win has a 32" barrel it's too old for 748.
best, Thomas.

[OlDeuce]

It's only good in the 38-55 if you load it hotter than you should for an antique rifle. If your 1894 Win has a 32" barrel it's too old for 748.
best, Thomas.

Thomas.........thank you for that info.. I sure don't want to do harm to this old Girl she is a Black powder shooter . Has the external rail screws !

Thanks, Randy

[Texas by God]

If you can we'd love to see a pic of the old gal.

[OlDeuce]

If you can we'd love to see a pic of the old gal.

Let me see what I can do!! Ol Deuce

[Texas by God]

It would be a treat to hunt with those rifles. Thanks for sharing!
IMR 3031 has become my number one 30-30 powder- you might give it a try.
Best, Thomas.

[OlDeuce]

It would be a treat to hunt with those rifles. Thanks for sharing!
IMR 3031 has become my number one 30-30 powder- you might give it a try.
Best, Thomas.

To date this ol'Girl only has shot 3031 and some 4198 "IMR" and Goex 3FFF with cast Boolits We don't want anything bad to happen to her!!

Ol Deuce.....aka Randy

[Texas by God]

I missed the mention of 3031 in your original post- my bad. Have you lettered that rifle? It would be interesting to know when it was made. Is it a family gun? Is the short 94 a 30-30? It looks like a Trapper but hard to tell next to the tall one!
Best, Thomas.

[OlDeuce]

I missed the mention of 3031 in your original post- my bad. Have you lettered that rifle? It would be interesting to know when it was made. Is it a family gun? Is the short 94 a 30-30? It looks like a Trapper but hard to tell next to the tall one!
Best, Thomas.

The long rifle when I did a work sheet on it only it came back as made in June 1895 Not specific ..The letter I paid money for was close but said it was a take-down and in fact a solid frame!!!! That Howard Madess had the records upside down in the '80s .the short gun is a 16'' 30WCF made in 1927 and came from Big Horn Fish&Game......Sa what I was told when I bought it! It's kinda ruff gum wood Bolt has a tab broke off Well used be hind a
seat of an old Pick-up ...when I was 58 my collection totaled more than 60 Old Winchesters...Now I have 15?....My Health took the rifles....Guns In The Bank !!!! I have one Family Gun and that's a 1894 1st year 32-40 that was my Grand Fathers! it stayed to long in the pump house ! almost a Brown Gun......still goes bang and maybe a 12'' group.........OL Deuce

[Texas by God]

Time to reline Granddad's gun! Man, you have lived the Winnys. I have only a 1909 1897 12 ga. And a 1954 model 94 30-30 but they are family guns and I use them often.
Best, Thomas.

[HeavyMetal]

Ken Waters had a pet Loads write up on the 38-55 and separated loads developed in three groups based on strength of the action, your 94 is group two and several WW748 loads are shown with 255 and 243 grain boolits nothing heavier!!

Max Load with 243 grain boolit is 37 grains ww-748 using remington 9 1/2 primers and remington brass

Max load with 255 grain boolit is also 37 grains ww-748 using Federal 210 primer and remington Brass.

Suggest you start with reduced loads and work up and find a copy of Ken's article via google and print it out it has a whole list of group Two loads your winny will enjoy.

HM