Accurate Mold Bullet Preference (Bearing Surface)

[Tar Heel]

I would like to hear from some experienced shooters regarding which bullet style they would prefer to shoot out of a Winchester M94 in 38-55. I am looking at two bullets in particular on Tom's web site. The Accurate 38-260B and the Accurate 38-270C. The total lube payload on the bullets is identical but the lubricant is located in differing positions. Does anyone have any experience with these larger bearing bands and lubricant dispersion?

I plan to shoot smokeless powder with NRA 50/50 style lube. Actually White's lube. If anyone reading this has actually shot the 38-270C in a M94 lever action, I would love to hear about your results relative to any potential leading with those larger bearing bands.

So, 3 little lube grooves or 2 larger lube grooves?

38-260B....................38-270C
283962 283963

[T-Bird]

I'm shooting the Lee 250 gr out of my JES barrel and it's doing well. It's also plain based and the mold was cheap. The JES barrels are around .376 but this boolit drops out larger with my alloy which is COWW+2% so it should fit larger barrels. I size to .379.

[popper]

I always go with a larger base band to take the pressure better. I don't use lube (PC)

[Tar Heel]

I always go with a larger base band to take the pressure better. I don't use lube (PC)

I had thought about that too. With "normal" 38-55 pressures, I would assume the thinner BB on the first bullet would be OK but there is that word assume again. The thicker bearing bands just assault my eye. I am not used to seeing them. The symmetry is all wrong. But hey - bumble bees should not be able to fly either.

[tmanbuckhunter]

I shoot a 38-250F out of a model 94 rebore (jes) in 38/55 and it shoots very well. Similar to the 38-270C you're looking at.

[Tar Heel]

I shoot a 38-250F out of a model 94 rebore (jes) in 38/55 and it shoots very well. Similar to the 38-270C you're looking at.

Thanks tmanbuckhunter. I had looked past that bullet due to its larger meplat but a second look at it brings it into the picture as well.
1. Do you shoot smokeless and black powder with it or just one?
2. What alloy do you like with this bullet in your M94?

The 38-250F has the shortest ogive of all three bullets too. Should cycle nicely in a M94.

[tmanbuckhunter]

Thanks tmanbuckhunter. I had looked past that bullet due to its larger meplat but a second look at it brings it into the picture as well.
1. Do you shoot smokeless and black powder with it or just one?
2. What alloy do you like with this bullet in your M94?

The 38-250F has the shortest ogive of all three bullets too. Should cycle nicely in a M94.
Currently shooting it with smokeless powder, but I would have no issues loading it with black. The grooves are wide and deep, and should hold plenty of lubricant. The alloy is my lyman no.2 copy cat, but I imagine any alloy would work.

Let me tell you, that bullet at 1520fps hits deer like thors hammer.