Sizing dies for 38-55

[Springfield]

So I just got a new Big Lube(tm) bullet mould for 38-55 to make up bullets for sale. So what it the normal size for these bullets, I don't want to have to buy 4 or 5 Star dies. One guy locally wants his sized to .377, for his Marlin. Seems small to me. These are 245 grainers, RNFP pb bullets. Any suggestions? Just get a .377 and a .380 to cover the bases?

[felix]

Buy the sizing dies the customer requires his boolits to be. ... felix

[Springfield]

Yeah, that sounds good but 38-55 ain't exactly the best seller out there. At 35 bucks a pop I can't be buying every one their own die. And if a guy wanted .379 then I think .380 isn't going to throw his loads way off the paper. I sell 45 Colts in either .452 or .454, don't even have a .453 die. Or a .455. Just isn't practical. You can't be everything to everyone and stay in business. So what works for you guys, to get back to the original question.

[felix]

You've answered your own question. Get what is practical for YOU instead of your customer. ... felix

[Char-Gar]

38-55 rifles have barrels all over the place. My Axel Peterson barreled Sharps Borchardt runs a full .382 in the grooves.

[Springfield]

Well, this mould drops at .3805, so I think.380 is going to have to be my cutoff for sizing. Since this is a lighter then usual bullet I think I will mostly be selling to guys with lever guns or maybe Buffalo Classics. It is a Cowboy shooting kind of bullet, not serious BPCR. I won't do those kinds of things as it isn't worth the time. Plus this is a 6 ganger mould, most REALLY serious guys want bullets from single cavity moulds. Guess I will just see what I get requests for. I'm gonna kinda be like Ruger, only sell the most popular bullets, like they sell New Vaqueros only in 45 and 38, no 44-40, 38-40 and the other interesting calibers.

[Jon K]

Get what the customer wants. You have hit on the one that has more variations than any other. Marlin .380-.382, Win .377-.380, Others .375-.377, Uberti .377-.379, Buffalo Classic .378-.380, and some others are .375.

Good Luck,
Jon
:castmine:

[Jon K]

P.S.

And some w/large bore grove size won't chamber too large of a boolit ie bore is larger than chamber will allow.

Jon

[Springfield]

Kinda makes me glad I don't own one, I'll stick with my 45-70.

[hpdrifter]

P.S.

And some w/large bore grove size won't chamber too large of a boolit ie bore is larger than chamber will allow.

Jon


This is addressed in the ABC's of Reloading(and prolly elsewhere). Back when the 38-55 and other blackpowder cartridges were made/designed, they were made to shoot with dirty barrels. So, the barrels were cut a little oversize and the bullets were cast soft and they would slug up to fill the grooves.

So, you might want to offer softer alloyed bullets also.

[Springfield]

I'm running 50/1 now, don't think I should go any softer. Almost all my customers run BP.

[Hank Dodge]

Howdy Slim,

I've been wanting to tell you that those .45-70 bullets that you sent me worked out nicely.:-D

I'm just getting set up to load .38-55. I've got an old Winchester '94 chambered for it. Let me know when you start casting, I'll take a few to try.

What do you cast for the .44 special? I like to use the 250 grain slugs (mostly Keith style) but am interested in what you have to offer. I like the idea of a long bullet with lots of lube for the cowboy stuff.

Are you going to Chabot next weekend? I'll take some more of those .45-70 350grain slugs if you have them available.

Thanks


Hank

[hpdrifter]

nope, guess not. 30:1 ought to slug up quite well.

[Springfield]

Hank: Glad those worked out OK. And I do cast a 250 grain 44, got the mould right here in a group buy. Also have the 200 grain Big Lube(tm) bullet. Don't get to Chabot much, already shoot regularly with 2 other clubs, hard to get away 3 times a month. Really should shoot there more often though, it's closer than Faultline. What day do they shoot there? I keep forgetting. So, what diameter 38-55 bullets do you want? I'm sorta taking a poll.

[Hank Dodge]

Chabot shoots on the third Sunday of the "odd" months.

I'm not sure of the bore size for my rifle; it is an early Winchester '94. I have not shot it much to this point and what I have has been with Winchester factory jacketed ammo. with good results. I'm still getting set-up to load for this round, I need to find a good source for brass. It seems that Midway and such have been out-of-stock lately. Anyone know where I might be able to pick up a few hundred rounds of brass? Hell, I guess I'd even be interested in finding some loaded rounds with lead bullets for that matter. At least then I might be able to develop a baseline and empty some brass to load my own with.


Hank

[Dye]

Hank
Buffalo Arms has orginal 38-55 in stock.

Be carefull Dye