38-55 and accuracy

[2Tite]

What is the concensus of the group regarding straight black and group size?
What are realistic expectations for accuracy? I'm averaging about 1.25 min at 100 yds. I realize I need to shoot at longer range and will do that but can't just yet. I'm still trying different powders and looking to try my best loads at more distance but for now (100 yds) what should I be looking for as far as center to center group size?

[John Boy]

http://www.shilohrifle.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13911

And this May, shot the same bullet with using the new KIK powders ...
http://www.schuetzenpowder.com/forum/index.php?topic=107.0

[doubs43]

If you're averaging 1.25 MOA for 5 shots at 100 yards, I think I'd try to fine tune that load. Even if you can't improve it, that load is very good IMO.

You don't say what your purpose is but if that load does what you want, stick with it.

[Boz330]

There are some that say that the 38-55 can't be used much past 300yd but I shot mine this weekend at a Mid Range match (300, 500, & 600yd) that is primarily a LRML event but they let us cartridge guys in to swell the ranks. Might be to show what a ML will do since the top score was from a ML. But 4 of the guys from the US team going to Bisley were competing.:shock:
I shot my 75 Sharps with a 26" barrel in this event, which I bought primarily as a hunting gun. Below is the rifle and the results.

Bob

[Doc Highwall]

Boz330, what did you use for a load?

[Boz330]

WW brass, BR-2 Primer, 1-newsprint primer wad, 47gr 2F Swiss. I don't remember the compression since the die is set and I don't have a reason to move it, probably about .150+ though, .015 wad and the Lyman 335gr copy of the Postel. I don't use any neck tension on this load. The load shot good enough I just never got around to getting a die to try neck tension.

Bob

[2Tite]

Boz, That seems like a lot of compression. So far, i've not had much luck with loads that have .100 or more. Your success is interesting. I'be very interested in knowing what you think your avg group size might be at say 200yds? I have a good supply of those bullets here. I'll have to give that design a good try.

I love to hear about shooters and rifles not behaving like they're "supposed" to. My compliments on some good shooting.

[Boz330]

Boz, That seems like a lot of compression. So far, i've not had much luck with loads that have .100 or more. Your success is interesting. I'be very interested in knowing what you think your avg group size might be at say 200yds? I have a good supply of those bullets here. I'll have to give that design a good try.

I love to hear about shooters and rifles not behaving like they're "supposed" to. My compliments on some good shooting.

In all honesty I bought that rifle in 2004 and worked the loads up then and don't really remember what the groups were. I'll try and find my notes tonight if I think about it. I have 2 40-65s as well as this 38-55 and all of them seem to prefer compression with Swiss. By coincidence they are all Badger barreled. My compression on the 40s is in the neighborhood of .250.
I didn't really post to brag since there were several shooters there that regularly kick my butt. It just happen to be a good couple days for me and not so much for them. On other occasions the pendulum swings the other direction and I'm left wondering what the heck happened.:veryconfu In fact my lowest score was at 300 and my best at 600, go figure.

Bob

[Don McDowell]

Good shooting Boz!

[NickSS]

I have a C sharps high wall in 38-55 that I shoot for short range matches (which are mostly what I shoot these days). I have two molds that I use most of the time they are a 310 gr round nose that looks a lot like a 45-70 gov 500 gr slug and a 250 gr Lee flat point. I shoot 45 gr of FFG GOEX with the 250 and 42 gr with the 310 both with a .030 card wad under the bullet. Both these loads will deliver 2" to 2.5" 200 yard 10 shot groups from a bench rest. This is about as well as I can shoot so they might do better for a good rifle shot. I have not fired either at longer distances as I use a 40-65 for full range silhouettes and have not fired a long range bull eye match in years.

[Boz330]

Good shooting Boz!

Thanks Don, the only problem is that now I have this thing in the back of my head saying why not a 38-50 RH. With a longer barrel for sight radius and a little more twist I might be able to go out even farther. I don't seem to get enough time now with the guns already in the safe let alone add more.

2Tite, I checked my notes last night and I don't have any 200yd info. My range at the farm is 300yds and that is where I try to test all my load data for BPCR. The notes indicated groups from 5 to 6 inches at that distance which in all honesty is about as good as my 65 year old eyes will do any more.

When I bought this rifle it was to be a deer gun and John Shofstall (SP) recommended the Lyman boolit for target and the Lee 250gr for hunting. My notes also indicate that the compression for both boolits are .250. The powder charge and boolit seating depth are the same for both as well. The 250gr round isn't near as tite a shooter as the 335gr, but it shoots minute of deer. I have taken 2 with it and one was a pass through and the other I shot it quartering front and found the boolit under the skin on the off side ham. It took out several bones enroute and retained 95% of it's weight.

This one isn't a monster but it sure was good eatin.

Bob

[Don McDowell]

Bob most everybody that does a 38-50 are happy with it.

[Boz330]

They had a 1000, 1100, and 1200yd match at Camp Atterbury last year and the high over all and high cartridge was a guy shooting a 38-50 with a 12 twist barrel. I forget the weight but it was approaching 400gr. He wasn't just a little bit ahead but a lot. This is primarily a ML event but like the match mentioned above they try and augment the numbers with the cartridge shooters. Atterbury is the only range in this part of the country with those kind of facilities. Oak Ridge goes out to 1000yd.

Bob

[SharpsShooter]

Great shooting Boz! Congrats to ya!

SS