MidSouth Shooters SupplyTitan ReloadingPBcastcoLoad Data
RepackboxRotoMetals2WidenersReloading Everything
Lee Precision Inline Fabrication
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 46

Thread: 38-55 Hi-Vel. Load

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Blackwater, Virginia
    Posts
    706

    38-55 Hi-Vel. Load

    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?

  2. #2
    Boolit Master Rapier's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2020
    Location
    NW Florida
    Posts
    1,443
    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.
    “There is a remedy for all things, save death.“
    Cervantes

    “Never give up, never quit.”
    Robert Rogers
    Roger’s Rangers

    There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.
    Will Rogers

  3. #3
    Boolit Master

    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    UPSTATE new york
    Posts
    1,721
    Are you talking black or smokeless?

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Blackwater, Virginia
    Posts
    706
    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!

  5. #5
    Moderator
    Texas by God's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    14,316
    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

    Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    210
    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.

  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    5,271
    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.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master



    skeettx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Amarillo, Texas
    Posts
    4,102
    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

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Blackwater, Virginia
    Posts
    706
    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?

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master Good Cheer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    the Ark
    Posts
    5,258
    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.

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    204
    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

  12. #12
    Boolit Grand Master


    missionary5155's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Last trip to Arequipa... till April.
    Posts
    7,132
    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.
    "Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
    Male Guanaco out in dry lakebed at 10,800 feet south of Arequipa.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    NE Wisconsin
    Posts
    1,438
    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…..

  14. #14
    Boolit Master


    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Franklin, TN
    Posts
    1,616
    Quote Originally Posted by skeettx View Post
    In my Ruger #1 factory 38-55,

    I use 30 grains of 3031 under the cast
    bullet of .382 diameter. Wow, great load
    Mike
    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

  15. #15
    Moderator
    Texas by God's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    14,316
    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......

    Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Blackwater, Virginia
    Posts
    706
    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?

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Blackwater, Virginia
    Posts
    706
    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.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2022
    Location
    MPLS
    Posts
    1,486
    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 ?

  19. #19
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    277
    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
    quando omni flunkus moritati

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Blackwater, Virginia
    Posts
    706
    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".

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

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