Well after great success last fall with my 1894 38-55 which took down a moose (jacketed bullet) a gorgeous Win 1885 fell into my hands.
I finally picked up the Lyman 2660449 375 FN GC 264gr mould.
Using COWW I cast up my first test batch.
Then I sized them to .378, gas checked with Hornady GC. The lube was the reminence of what was left from before, Alox lube. I thought it wouldve been too soft or sticky for my intended purposes but they seemed to shoot ok at the 50 yd target.
I ran some loads from Lyman data using IMR 4198, WLR primers and Win brass and Dacron filler.
Loads were 20gr, 22 & 24grs.
Best group was the start load of 20grs
According to Lyman data they’re traveling at 1219 fps.
I’d like to push these to atleast 1800 fps and am in the process of cleaning out the Alox lube stick (what a chore) and using a harder lube, RCBS rifle lube 8009.
I will possibly have to change powders but won’t if I dont have to.
Has anybody been able to push a 38/55 cast boolit to ideal hunting velocities or will my 264gr chunk of lead suffice for deer/moose?
I dug this out of the sand. At 1200 fps it mushroomed nicely.
Thanks for reading,
Huntsman