38-55, Saeco 571, 5744, 1885 Success!

[Dusty Wheeler]

The snow finally melted in eastern Idaho! I just had to try out the Saeco #571 300+/- bullets in my Winchester 1885 Traditional Hunter with Marbles tang sight and Lyman #17 front. I've spent the winter looking for loads with 5744 that might hit the 1300 to 1600 FPS range. I still have a fantasy of hitting the 800 yard buffalo at Quigley with my little boolits!

38-55
Saeco #571 305 gr cast of wheelweights, shot as cast, 1.105" long
50/50 parafin/vasoline lube
Federal 210 primers
COL 2.510, taper crimped leaving crimp groove outside case
30 degrees, no wind (odd for Idaho!)

1. 18 gr 5744 1310 fps
2. 19 gr 5744 1400 fps
3. 20 gr 5744 1440 fps
4. 21 gr 5744 1510 fps
5. 22 gr 5744 1625 fps

Load #4 was the bell ringer! 5 of 8 shots touching, "flyers" opened the group to 2" at 100 yards! This was done with cull bullets and shot off a makeshift rest just to chrono the loads! A pop can was pounded into submission at 275 yards! A steel turkey gets slammed down withauthority, again at 275 yards!

To make a long story short, I'm happy as a clam! FYI, these loads also function through the magazine of a Marlin 38-55 Cowboy!

Considering I was using "plinking" ammo with no thought of shooting a group this load deserves serious testing!

Now I need to install BPCR sights...
Tim

[McLintock]

Sounds like you're on the right track with that combo. If you want to ever try black, try the Hoch 315 gr 38-55 bullet, it'll give more powder capacity for the single shot and works good with the 1-15" twist in the Brownings and Winchesters.
McLintock

[Angus in Wyoming]

You can hit the 800 target at the Q. I did it with my 38-55 with 18gr of 5744 and the 335 gr Lyman mould. I did use a midrange sight. I hope yours goes high enough. Angus