.38-55 load check/advice

[FromTheWoods]

Searching for an accurate load for my '94 .38-55. I was experimenting with RL-7 when I let the trail go cold. But now I've picked it back up.

I have a supply of RimRock 240 gr. hardcast bullets. (Since I bought them, I've learned my rifle might prefer to shoot softer slugs. That will be a future project.)

From what I can find on the internet, people load 18 to 23 grains (sometimes more) of RL-7 in the .38-55.
I'll likely be using a filler also.
Starline longer brass.

What are your thoughts on the amount of RL-7 to use with these components?

[Nobade]

You will be safe to 30 grains of RE7 in a smokeless steel rifle. Still under SAAMI max, but running around 1800 fps. At those low levels you are looking at, I would certainly use dacron fluff to hold the powder back against the primer because it's not going to be making enough pressure to burn clean.

15.0gr. of 2400 will get you the same thing as 23 gr. RE7, but with much better burn and no need for filler.

-Nobade

[Hyphenated]

RL-7 is a good powder in the 38-55 or 375win with moderate loads. I do better with 2400 or Unique shooting light loads.

One of my favorite loads is a Lyman 278gr GC bullet pushed by 25grs of RL-7. This load clocks 1600fps in a 20" Marlin 336. If I am shooting the plain base Lee 250gr bullets I'll use 10grs of Unique.

[NickSS]

I shoot a lot of ammo through my several rifles in 38-55 and it is equally divided between black powder and smokeless powder. My favorite target loads with smokeless is a 250 gr Lee cast bullet over either 15 gr of 2400 or 18 gr of 5744. I have never used reloader 7 but think it is like IMR 4198 and 20 gr of that powder works pretty good but not as well as the two I mentioned as favorites.

[FromTheWoods]

It appears the 2400 would be better to try. I do have enough on hand to give it a good go.

Why would 2400 not need the filler?--no need for clean burn assistance?--quicker to bump the base?

[rbertalotto]

UNIQUE,UNIQUE,UNIQUE,UNIQUE,UNIQUE,UNIQUE,UNIQUE,U NIQUE,...

Did I mention that the very best, nice plinking, super accurate load I'd found for all my 38-55 rifles uses UNIQUE???

[ph4570]

UNIQUE,UNIQUE,UNIQUE,UNIQUE,UNIQUE,UNIQUE,UNIQUE,U NIQUE,...

Did I mention that the very best, nice plinking, super accurate load I'd found for all my 38-55 rifles uses UNIQUE???

9 gr unique and lee 250 gr boolit is a 1" 100 yard plinker in my win 1885.

[FromTheWoods]

Was reading around the internet about 2400 in .38-55 and didn't like to see that someone noted it was position sensitive!

Is it for you folks?

[Nobade]

Never seemed like it to me. It seems to light off just fine even with a lot of air space in the case.

-Nobade

[Catshooter]

2400 is an easy to ignite powder and is not position sensitive at all. As such it needs no fillers.


Cat

[1Papalote]

My most accurate 38/55 is loaded with 2400 and unique.

1Papalote

[Doc Highwall]

I have only used AA5744 in my 38-55 and about 18 grains seems to be about the best so far. My rifle is a newer Winchester 1885 and my problem is getting a large enough bullet to chamber. I am only using this rifle for light loads to 300 yards max so high velocity is not needed like in hunting. My groups are a little under 2" at 100 yards for now I just have to get back to shooting it. I have been working on my 308 so it takes most of my time.

From The Woods, what are you going to use the rifle for, hunting, plinking/target shooting and at what distance.

[Jon K]

Many powders will work, 5744/4759/2400/4198/Unique/4756/4895/BP 3F-1.5F.
Just depends on what you want t do with it...speed & boolit weight, or what's available to you.
Most importaqnt fit the boolit(size) to the bore.

Jon

[FromTheWoods]

"Thank You" to all of you for your input.

In answer: We will shoot many cans, dirt clods, and sticks with it, and an occasional grouse head. But the goal is to have an accurate load for deer and elk. The elk load does not have to be a long range shooter; we'll likely be on top of whatever elk wants to drop into the freezer. I prefer high-in-the-neck shots over the chest area. Have difficulty tracking--color blind. It's best to have them fall where they stand/sit.

[FromTheWoods]

Shot a batch of 2400 loads today: 14.1 grains to 16. Fifteen did shoot well. I'll try another set in the high 14's to low 15's.

I do remember advice a while back that I should be shooting soft-cast bullets in this rifle. Going to find some this week to try. Maybe that will get the holes in the target to touch each other!

[windy]

not to commandeer a thread, but do any of you 38-55 shooters have any info on a half-size 38-55 boolit? i got about 140 133-135gr .378's off a gb auction a coupla weeks ago; haven't been able to find the mold they came from, though. i've tried 'em with a light load (27gr, i think it was) of 3031 with no joy, but with 7.5gr of trail boss they turn into real sweet plinkers in my 26" 1894 winnie. might keep 'em at that, but other possibilities seem worth exploring. with a limited quantity, though, about the time i find the whizbang load i'm lookin for, i'll be out of 'em. any guesses?
mind yer topknots!
windy