What's your favorite cast bullet for the 38-55

[sparky45]

What's your favorite cast bullet for the 38-55? I have a 1885 Uberti that JES is re-boring to a 38-55 and would like opinions on what Mould to use to cast a good 250 gr ~ 300 gr bullet. At present I have a 379-250 Lee that makes a respectful looking slug. Suggestions please.

[Calamity Jake]

I have a Huch 265gr nose pour single cav. mold I'm willing to let go of, since I don't have a 38-55 anymore.
PM if interested.

[Mk42gunner]

I have the Lee mold, with the bevel removed. It is my current favorite, because it fits my rifle.

I also have a Lyman 375449 (I think) that drops a couple of thousandths small for my use, and one of the group buys from years ago that is a bit too large.

Robert

[RickinTN]

The Lee bullet is supposed to be a good one. I have the Ideal 375296 that I haven't fired but have big expectations. I have had very good luck with the 30 caliber bullet of similar design.
Good Luck,
Rick

[Kraschenbirn]

What's the twist of your rebored barrel going to be? I've got a Taylor & Co Highwall (a dressed-up Uberti) with a 1-18 twist that really doesn't like anything heavier than 310 gr. at BP velocities. My 'go-to' is an old 305 gr. NEI that will print near MOA @ 200 yards if I'm having a good day.

Bill

[sparky45]

That's one of the problems I have right now; I don't know what twist or much of anything about what JES has done with the bore. Right now I'm just searching for info about 38-55 loads and Moulds. I do know he is cutting a 3 rifling and that it should be close to .366 ~ .376 bore.

[sparky45]

Got a call back from JES this morning and I now know the twist rate (1/15) and the chamber is possibly only suitable for the short 38-55 brass. I have 100+ pieces of new Starline long brass I might not be able to shoot, just have to wait for the barrel to arrive to find out. I do have 50 pieces of new Winchester that are the shorter size, so I'll have enough to get going. With a 1/15 twist I should be able to get accuracy with a heavier projo (300gr +), right?

[veeman]

Your in luck! Long brass can be shortened.

[sparky45]

As hard as the long brass is to come by, I think I'll look into trading for the shorter version if I can't use them.

[T-Bird]

I have a JES 38/55 3 groove barrel, have had it a few years. I shoot the Lee boolit sized .379 at around 1350fps with 4227 and dacron. My load is 16.5-17gr. Shoots great. I think his bore dia is .376 or .377. The .378 shot well, I think .379 was a little better so I stuck with that. I use the short Starline. Never tried the long so I don't know whether it will work or not. You can, as pointed out earlier, shorten yours if need be.

[pworley1]

The Lyman 375248 and378449 have worked great in mine.

[Kylongrifle32]

I have a Chiappa mini sharps in 38-55. The Lee 379-250 sized thru the Lee 379 sizer performs very well in this rifle. Due to the fact that this rifle only weighs 5 1/2 pounds I only load it to about 1200 fps.

[koger]

the lee mold will serve you well, I have a JES rebore in 38/55 Marliin 336, that shoots the 250 gr bullet very well. With my alloy it comes out at 265grs

[pull the trigger]

I have a jes bored 336, I can fit the starline 375 win brass with a fat Lee .381 boolit in the chamber. The 375 win brass is a little thicker than the 38-55. The long Starline brass, will not chamber.