38-55 Bullet Mold

[mech481]

I have been looking at Accurate molds site for a mold to suit a modern win 94 ( Oliver f Winchester Commemorative ) in 38-55 and as they have such a large selection listed under 38-55 I was hoping someone may have experience with similar late model Winchester 94's and 38-55 I am looking at a weight of around 250grn any suggestions and advise gents on a proven performer in these rifles..

[Muskyhunter1]

mech I shoot a couple of Accurate molds in my couple of 38-55 and a 375 Win. Not entirely sure what you are asking but I would suggest you call Tom at Accurate molds and he would be able to help you the best mold design for your 38-55 use.

They are great molds and I have never had any regrets.

Cheers.

[richhodg66]

Not sure what you want it to do, but for my 100 yards target shooting in my .38-55, that Lee bullet has proven itself to be a good performer and cheap and easy to get into. I don't even size them, just a dip in some heated and slightly thinned LLA and they are perfect.

[mech481]

it was just that they have a few different shapes of bullet nose etc I thought that there may be one better suited to the later Model 94 Winchesters I did send Tom an email but he was not able to make a suggestion as to what may be better

[Kylongrifle32]

Mech
What is your intended use for this rifle hunting, target, or plinking?
The issue with the 38-55 is that a lot of older guns have larger bores .380 plus with wear. Most modern 38-55 have .375 bores. Most would recommend you slug your bore or contact Winchester to see what bore diameter they used.
I have a Chiappa mini sharps in 38-55 and the .379 diameter bullet work great.
Most recommend a bullet with a wipe meplat for hunting purpose.
Place a post in the Boolit exchange and pick up some sample boolits to try before you buy a mold.
I have the Lee 379-250-FN and a NOE 379-235-FN I could send you some to try.

[ole_270]

Part of your problem may be the winchester brass is thick necked. I use Starline 2.082 brass with .377 sized bullets in my JES rebored Marlin and they chamber and shoot great.

[Estacado]

mech

If it helps any, I have a modern Winchester 94. My bore slugged at .377. I use the starline short brass also. As for bullet, I use Missouri Cast Bullets, RNFP .379 sized, 245grain. They call it #1 Ballard. I only punch holes in paper. I have no doubt it would make a fine hunting bullet.

[John Boy]

Accurate mold 38-320E, clone of the Ideal 375166, the most accurate bullet made for the 38-55 out to 500 meters
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_...bullet=38-320E
I have BP targets with MOA groups at 100 - 200 and 300 yards

[nhithaca]

One of the things you have to watch for is the difference in nose length between the 375 Win and 38-55 bullets. A 375 usually allows a nose length (exposed lead) of about 0.50+" where a 38-55 is closer to 0.370 to 0.380". Load a long 375 bullet in an original length 38-55 case (Starline's "long" option) and it may not cycle through the action. Original 375 cases are shorter than even the "short" Starline cases.

[Mk42gunner]

I'll second rich's nomination of the Lee, although I did remove the bevel from the base since I'm running them through a lubrisizer and using FWFL. They seem to work fine with both the short Winchester brass and the longer original length Starline in my Marlin.

No target reports, it got cooold.

Robert

[ohiochuck]

Accurate molds will design the mold as you want it-diameter, weight, plain base or gas check, etc. I own several makers molds and I am very well satisfied with my accurate molds
Suggest you look on all the makers web sites then make up your mind. I did and went with Accurate Molds
Jim

[richhodg66]

Part of your problem may be the winchester brass is thick necked. I use Starline 2.082 brass with .377 sized bullets in my JES rebored Marlin and they chamber and shoot great.

I've only used Winchester brass in mine so far, though I have some Starline I bought somewhere. When I first got the rifle, the seller told me it liked .377 bullets, OK. I got a .377 die. Rifle shot poorly. Tried unsized bullets, didn't do much better. Figured I'd switch dies and bought a set of RCBS Cowboy dies designed for cast bullets. Groups shrunk almost by half. Couldn't believe it was that dramatic a change. Those standard dies were sizing the cases such that they were squeezing the bullets to be undersized it seems.

[mech481]

I only intend plinking at the range with this rifle and just enjoy getting it shooting, I have ordered the shorter Starline cases for it and have slugged the bore which came out at .379 so I would start with a bullet sized to 381, thanks for the offer of some bullets Kylongrifle32 but postage to Australia has gotten a bit prohibitive from the US lately.
I Hi-Tek coat most of my bullets these days so would also coat what ever I end up using in the 38-55 I will work my loads up to see what will be about the best load for accuracy so may also need a bullet with gas check if I end up around 1700-1800fps,
I will be using ADI 2207 ( H4198 ) as I have plenty of that in stock, here is some load data from the ADI web site that I will use to get started.

Bullet Powder Bullet Diam. C.O.L Starting Loads Maximum Loads
Grs. Velocity (fps) Pressure Grs. Velocity (fps) Pressure
Show Filter Show Filter
250 GR. LYMAN CAST Trail Boss .376" 2.500" 6.0 grain 842 fps 20300 cup 7.0 grain 911 fps 25600 cup
250 GR. LYMAN CAST AR2207 .376" 2.500" 18.5 grain 1408 fps 17100 cup 24.0 grain 1740 fps 26200 cup
250 GR. LYMAN CAST AR2219 .376" 2.500" 24.0 grain 1534 fps 22500 cup 27.0 grain 1692 fps 27600 cup
250 GR. LYMAN CAST AR2206H .376" 2.500" 21.0 grain 1197 fps 18200 cup 26.0 grain 1600 fps 26500 cup