Been watching some Buffalo Bore 38-55 loads on youtube & the 1900 plus velocity with a 250 or 255 grain cast boolit is dooable. One Henry video in a 20' barrel got 20 fps faster than the box quoted. Anybody have this recipe?
Been watching some Buffalo Bore 38-55 loads on youtube & the 1900 plus velocity with a 250 or 255 grain cast boolit is dooable. One Henry video in a 20' barrel got 20 fps faster than the box quoted. Anybody have this recipe?
They might have used Star Lne brass which can be longer, with a deep cut chamber might give you something like a 38-65. All you would need is an action to take the added pressure. The 94 XTR is built for the added pressure of the 375 Win and I understand works with the long 38-55 brass.
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Are you talking black or smokeless?
Smokeless, I don't think you could fit any where near enough black in the case to get close to this velocity. Be nice if you could!
For filling your deer tags with one shot? 250 gr cast at 1900 fps should go through at least 3 deer if they are lined up correctly
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My guess would be a lot of IMR3031. A strong action like a Marlin 336. A 375 case is 1/10 of an inch shorter than a 38-55 case. Or you could just start with a 375.
I've seen the bigger - better - faster, but have to agree with warren5421. The basic .38-55 is a marvel. Just 'cause we like as is, doesn't mean you have to. Go for it and have fun. Just make sure the action is designed for the increased pressure when chasing bigger velocities. Let us know the outcome. Always like to hear about what others do.
In my Ruger #1 factory 38-55,
I use 30 grains of 3031 under the cast
bullet of .382 diameter. Wow, great load
Mike
NRA Benefactor 2004 USAF RET 1971-95
I'm not looking to Hot-Rod either the Henry or the Win 94AE, Just looking for maximum performance out of these rifles. Not any Ruger Only, or Browning Winchester Only loads out there. A stiff 30-30 pressure would be fine but there's not much pressure load data available. It would be nice if I could measure the pressure on my own loads. But what would that cost?
Just as with the black powder 9.5mm Mauser, it's a very good diameter to get good performance on deer sized game along with a relatively flat trajectory with lead boolits.
i have killed 200 - 225lbs boars at 125 yards with an iron sighted 26" barreled Marlin 1893 with a 1350 - 1400fps 265gr cast load. One was a Texas heart shot. That load using Winchester brass, Winchester LR primer, RCBS 265 gr cast and IMR4895 will cluster 5 of them into 1 - 1 1/4" at 100 yards if I do my part. In a light carbine or rifle recoil from that bullet weight at 1700 - 1800 fps might cause flinching or inconsistent barrel harmonics. My 26" light round barrel does not like heavy loads. Grouping size starts to grow rapidly at the upper end and zero varies with barrel temperature.
Bill
I would think with a case of 4F Goex to could get to the 1400's. I would like to try a 30" barreled 38-55 some day with BP.
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Absolutely agree no need for those velocities for even as large as moose. Load for accuracy not for velocities. I have learned over my years that less recoil equals better ability to place shots and shoot accurately. A good WFN GC cast of lead will anchor any game in North America when the boolit is placed correctly. Prices on powder and primers in my opinion dictate midrange loads with larger calibers. Economics my friends…..
Hello There!
I finally found someone who has another of the 281 of these Ruger made. Mine has only been fired about 10 rounds. I used 31 grains of 3031 with the Speer 235 grain bullet. Going to work with it and cast soon.
Enjoying the thread, and as others state, the 38-55 in factory guise is hard to beat!
Rick
Lyman #45 shows 1500fps loads with 4227 and cast.
For my 94 38-55, I like the Lee bullet with 23grs of 4198. Probably around 13-1400 fps.
Any stiffer and the steel buttplate starts checkering my shoulder......
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O.K I've gotten a 21gr IMR SR-4759 round just over 1600 fps (Lee 250 gr boolit), Anybody tried a larger charge than this & or know pressures on heavier loads? Next I have 3 Lyman manuals (Older) 38-55 that show 35.0 gr Imr-3031 w same weight bullet. I have 2 newer Lyman manuals that show 32.0 gr 3031 max for 375 Win. Anybody tried the 35 gr load in their 38-55. Or have any knowledge where the pressure is on these rounds?
P.S. I have a great caution with the 38-55 looking at pressure signs, may go too far with little to no sign. At least that is my caution.
Why ? With 250 gr. bullet in pure lead at 1200 fps. and a proper placed shot will bring anything on the continent down for keeps. And is softer shooting ?
Hodgdon has data for H322 with a 255 gr Barnes JFP at 1830 FPS. One might try extrapolating data from that if they are bold.
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center
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I am quickly coming to realize that most if not all higher velocity loads are being launched from 24-30 inch barrels. But still there has to be a chart of loads with pressures displayed for more modern rifles or should I say ought to be. There is a gap between published data that is acceptable for old rifles & the capabilities of the newer rifles. As many newer 38-55's are being sold one would think some so called "Ruger only" data would come to surface. I know "Lawyers".
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |