Winchester/Miroku 1885 38/55

[Huntsman]

Well after great success last fall with my 1894 38-55 which took down a moose (jacketed bullet) a gorgeous Win 1885 fell into my hands.

http://i68.tinypic.com/51d27k.jpg

I finally picked up the Lyman 2660449 375 FN GC 264gr mould.
Using COWW I cast up my first test batch.
http://i68.tinypic.com/34dj2g7.jpg
Then I sized them to .378, gas checked with Hornady GC. The lube was the reminence of what was left from before, Alox lube. I thought it wouldve been too soft or sticky for my intended purposes but they seemed to shoot ok at the 50 yd target.
http://i63.tinypic.com/x5qhk1.jpg
I ran some loads from Lyman data using IMR 4198, WLR primers and Win brass and Dacron filler.
http://i63.tinypic.com/s3q91t.jpg
Loads were 20gr, 22 & 24grs.
http://i63.tinypic.com/ao2uk6.jpg

Best group was the start load of 20grs
http://i63.tinypic.com/142rkm0.jpg

According to Lyman data they’re traveling at 1219 fps.

I’d like to push these to atleast 1800 fps and am in the process of cleaning out the Alox lube stick (what a chore) and using a harder lube, RCBS rifle lube 8009.
I will possibly have to change powders but won’t if I dont have to.
Has anybody been able to push a 38/55 cast boolit to ideal hunting velocities or will my 264gr chunk of lead suffice for deer/moose?
I dug this out of the sand. At 1200 fps it mushroomed nicely.
http://i67.tinypic.com/2drz254.jpg
Thanks for reading,

Huntsman

[Hickory]

Will my 264gr chunk of lead suffice for deer/moose?

With ease. Just hit them in the right spot.

[marcusp323]

Just got one of those Winnies a few weeks ago. Quite fun to shoot & plenty accurate with my loads of 4227 too.
Just bought another in 32-40. Hoping it's as nice as the 38-55. Might have it by the end of the week even :-)
Mark

[Huntsman]

Mark,
Yes I agree. They’re very pleasant to shoot. I’m too considering another one 45/70. Maybe next year though. At 100 yards and some no longer available Hornady 220gr Interlock bullets she was shooting and easy 2.5 to 3” group. I hope to get the same accuracy with my cast boolits.

[CamoWhamo]

That is a Nice rifle.
It has been on top of my wish list for a while but as far as i can tell, none of them were ever imported into my country in 38-55.
My LGS has one in 45-70 and i'm seriously thinking about it.

Did you slug the bore on your 38-55? I have a Miroku made Win94 Sporter in 38-55 but i haven't fired it yet or had a chance to check the bore diameter.

[jonp]

With ease. Just hit them in the right spot.

I agree. At that velocity with a good shot placement the lead you are shooting should do the job nicely. That is one fine group with 20gr.

Have you tried any other powders in it? With the velocity at 1200fps do you need the ends?

[lotech]

I bought one of these rifles new at least twenty years ago. I use the same Lyman bullet and 19 grs. 5744 for a muzzle velocity of about 1400 fps. Other good loads that chronograph just under 1500 fps have been have been 28 grs. H4895 and 21 grs. IMR4198.

This gun in .32-40 shoots as well as the .38-55.

[Huntsman]

I haven’t tried any other powders just IMR 4198. I have 3031 on hand.
Bore was not slugged. After searching google .378 seemed like a good alternative and shown by my 50yd group.
I’m considering mounting one of my Leupolds not being employed at the moment. As much as I like the tang sights these eyes are starting to feel thier age.

[Bigslug]

Just got one of those Winnies a few weeks ago. Quite fun to shoot & plenty accurate with my loads of 4227 too.
Just bought another in 32-40. Hoping it's as nice as the 38-55. Might have it by the end of the week even :-)
Mark

I give you HOPE! : http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?334647-Preferred-32-40-Boolits-(repro-High-Wall) ;-)

Miroku does a nice job, no question!

[Huntsman]

I give you HOPE! : http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?334647-Preferred-32-40-Boolits-(repro-High-Wall) ;-)

Miroku does a nice job, no question!

I totally agree, Miroku’s QC is outstanding!!
Beautiful walnut and deep blue finished octagonal barrel and solid feel. I look forward to carrying this one out in the bush this fall.

On a side note. I cast about 40 more boolits today but this time I dropped them straight from the mould in a pail of water and changed lubes to a harder (wax) one.

[marcusp323]

Here's a 6" target I shot at 100 yds with mine. Still have lots of trigger time needed to tighten it up I think, but definitely promising.
Mark

https://i.imgur.com/feWfDQ5.jpg

[RCE1]

You ought to shoot black powder with it. Believe it or not, it's easier to clean than smokeless. That's how you get real accuracy out of these cartridges.

[Thundarstick]

My 375H&H Safari slugs at .376, I would bet it's the same barrel with a different chamber. I load. 379 boolits with great results.

[Texas by God]

At 1800 fps you might come to hate that crescent butt. Just saying. It looks ready to hunt now!