38/55 Round Ball Loads

[cabezaverde]

Just picked up a .380 mold here on the board.

Anyone have any loads for a round ball in 38/55. Also interested in "cat sneeze" loads.

I am using a H&R Target and a Marlin 375.

Thanks for any help provided.

[Urny]

I use four to six grains of Red Dot and a .380 ball from a Lyman mould. Any more than six grains and the groups become wild. With the balls tumbled in LLA and no filler, this make a fine cottontail and close range jackrabbit load. My rifle is an old Wesson and Harrington Target Model that slugged .3775" new. It's not been slugged in recent years.

[JeffinNZ]

I ran some of my .395 balls in my .38-303 a few months back. Over 5gr of Green Dot they pretty much cut one hole at 25m. 800fps. Just pushed the ball into the case mouth for a friction fit.

[KCSO]

I'm using 4 grains of bullseye and a 380 ball. I just smear a little lube over the ball. Hits poa at 25 yards with the same sight setting as my hunting load at 100.

[cabezaverde]

I use four to six grains of Red Dot and a .380 ball from a Lyman mould. Any more than six grains and the groups become wild. With the balls tumbled in LLA and no filler, this make a fine cottontail and close range jackrabbit load. My rifle is an old Wesson and Harrington Target Model that slugged .3775" new. It's not been slugged in recent years.

Tried this load last night, a little louder than I was hoping for. Any ideas?

[Urny]

If the load you tried was at the low end (four grains) and still louder than you wanted, I don't know what would work better, except maybe to try a lighter load yet. I'm not very knowledgeable about controlling noise levels without a suppressor, and don't remember if I've tried less than four grains Red Dot before. Lousy record keeping here.

That four to six grain range is the same one I use in 8x57 with 00 buckshot, but it works better at the lower end of the range.

[missionary5155]

Would a LARGE party ballon fitted over the muzzle be considered a surpressor ?

[woody1]

3.1 grains of Bullseye in a blown out 30-30 case in my 375 Marlin is definitely subsonic. It is not silent. Regards, Woody

[beagle]

Take a look at castpics under articles for "Round Ball Loads"./beagle

[NickSS]

I have not used round balls in a 38-55 yet but have used hundreds in 45-70s usually I use about 5 gr of red dot and call it good. They sound like a 22 long rifle going off in my rifles and are quiet enough for me. If you want them even queter you need an illeagle suppressor to get them lower. If you have neighbors who are that noise sensitive you should maybe use an air rifle.

[Muddy Creek Sam]

How do you crimp these to shoot them out of the Marlin? :???

Sam :-D

[missionary5155]

Well now I have not tried to cycle RB loads through my 38-55´s, or .375 (winny) or through a 45-70 (Winny or Marlin) I was content to load single shot... usually have my Ballard in hand when using RB´s loafing about.

[Lefty38-55]

FWIW, lube the roundballs in Lee's liquid Alox ... just toss a handful in a ziplok bag, add a few drops, and run the bag thru your fingers, set out on wax paper to dry. Slick, fast, easy ... and WORKS!

[Jbar4Ranch]

I have not used round balls in a 38-55 yet but have used hundreds in 45-70s usually I use about 5 gr of red dot and call it good. They sound like a 22 long rifle going off in my rifles and are quiet enough for me. If you want them even queter you need an illeagle suppressor to get them lower. If you have neighbors who are that noise sensitive you should maybe use an air rifle.

? ? ?

Wouldn't a legal suppressor would work just as well?

[Springfield]

Even legal supressors start at 200 for the tax stamp. And there is no way to get one in California.

[oneokie]

Well now I have not tried to cycle RB loads through my 38-55´s, or .375 (winny) or through a 45-70 (Winny or Marlin) I was content to load single shot... usually have my Ballard in hand when using RB´s loafing about.

[smilie=1: tried cycling some 30-30 rb loads through my 94. When the lifter raised, the round would cartwheel out of the action.

[Jbar4Ranch]

I figured the Pacific Northwest probably referred to the Olympic Peninsula or the Puget Sound area rather than California.


Even legal supressors start at 200 for the tax stamp. And there is no way to get one in California.