Load testing

[Midohhntr]

Got some time to test the PC'd Lee 250-FN in my 38-55 yesterday and today with chronographed velocities.
24gr R7, 1465, 1409, 1441... 25gr R7, 1555, 1516, 1488... wide variation, left unburned powder in the bore. Next was some Unique loads with 10gr, these were not pc'd but run thru my lubsizer, 1209, 1204, 1205 much cleaner barrel but had some leading. Today was with A2400 and pc'd bullets , 19gr 1577,1576, 1572 and clean burning. Very minimal leading, just a couple small particles on the first patch,:smile: Pc'd bullets were sized to .377. The 2400 and unique was also the most accurate, 1 1/2" at 50yds

[Winger Ed.]

Sounds good.

At those speeds, leading shouldn't be an issue.
I never considered a flake here or there as leading.
I always thought of true leading as those 'skid marks' in the bore that are like wrestling with the devil to get out.

[Midohhntr]

I Tested 3 more with 18gr of A2400 this time and recorded 1516, 1499, and 1496 fps, right were I want to be with the pc'd boolit. Should bust the shoulder of any deer out there and be comfortable for the grandsons to shoot. Accuracy was the best at 1 1/4" with two almost touching. I'm a happy man...:grin:

[DonHowe]

I would go first by what the barrel says (leading or not) then by what the target says. Unless you are after a hunting load and need striking velocity to be at a certain level I would let the barrel tell me what it likes. If you are punching hole in paper I would bet better accuracy will happen under 1600 fps and likely between 1200 and 1400 fps.
I have little experience with smokeless loads in .38-55 but an 82 yr old friend shots 13gr/2400 with 3e0gr bullet with accuracy to 400 yards from a Uberti High Wall. Sounds like subsonic .22 LR but it works for him.

[Mitch]

Looks like you have some good loads there one for hunting one for paper.