I just purchased a Commemorative '94 in 38-55, and it came with handloaded ammunition.
The bullet is a lead cast flat point with a gas check, 285 grains. The seller did not have a mold so I think they are a commercial bullet. The seller was the owner, and he was getting out of shooting and only had a few guns left to sell. The rifle came with dies as well.
The load is a 285 gr FPGC bullet @ 2.5 LOAL with 20 gr of H4198, in W-W brass. Primer is a silver color, I assume a F210.
The seller did say he had shot this load, and added it was only moderately accurate, saucer sized groups at 50 yds.
I haven't been able to find any 38-55 data for bullets heavier than 255 grains, and I would like to see this load listed before I shoot it. I trust the seller, I've talked to him before, but due diligence is always good. First of all there's safety, and then I sure don't want to ruin brass needlessly.
I also got 90 bullets, but I 'd like to load them with a slower burner like Varget, H4895 or IMR 3031.
In the long term I'd like to get a mold for, or buy a bullet of 255 gr to duplicate the factory round. Is the LEE mold of a decent design. I'd cast with WW, or a blended softer alloy. A quick check of the bore puts it at 0.372, with a groove of app 0.378, so jacketed 375 is probably out of the question.
I'm new to 38-55, it or a 32-40 was a bucket list rifle. The Saskatchewan Diamond Jubilee is a companion for my Bat Masterson (both pewter plated receivers).
If anyone has any experience with 38-55 and 285 gr cast bullets, I'd appreciate your advice.