38-55

[wgr]

i want a Little more out of my target model. Lyman shows max load for a 255 grain jacketed bullet at over 1700fps using 3031 powder. do you guys think a hard cast bullet  250grain at that charge would work .thinking about starting at 33grains shouldn't lead the barrel at that speed

[quickdtoo]

I'm kinda in the same quandry for my 38-55 Target, but I'm using gas checked 312gr bullets, 38-55 data doesn't go above about 30kcup, I don't think 38-55 brass will handle anything much higher than that, Lyman lists the max load of 3031 as 32gr for a 335gr cast bullet, using more powder with a heavier bullet may require using 375 Win brass since it's rated to ~50kcup. With a little work, you can always put gas checks on PB cast bullet too if you start leading up, but using bullets sized .001"-.002" larger than the groove diameter should minimize leading and improve accuracy, depends on how new your Target is, those made in late 2007 with Marlin broached barrels have tighter bores, and better chamber dimensions, mine slugs at .377" groove diameter and the chamber will accept Starline 2.125" brass with a .379" bullet seated in it.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,138868.msg1098544055.html#msg1098544055

[quickdtoo]

I did some research on 38-55 brass, Marshall Stanton recommends it and 30-30 brass for use in .375 Winchesters Marlins for the added case capacity and lower pressures, so while it won't last as long as the heavier 375 Win brass, it will work fine at least for a few loadings, at considerably higher pressure than the original 38-55 itself was designed for. Since the 38-55 Target uses the same receiver as several high pressure chamberings including the 270 Win and 500S&W, shooting warm loads in the Target shouldn't be an issue either, but there's no data for heavier bullets in the 375 Win. I would also recommend that any hot loaded 38-55 ammo be well marked so it won't be used by someone unknowingly in a 38-55 levergun, at least using 375 Win brass would prevent that from happening.

Tim

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=2137&highlight=.375+win

[wgr]

Tim the 355grain bullet was a miss print i cast a 255 grain bullet. i changed it in the post too. so you think to get 17/1800fps in the 38-55 i should go with fire formed 30-30 brass? might try a gas check too if i cant get this speed out of it without leading ill go to a paper patch again I'm going to try 3031 powder . thinks bill

[quickdtoo]

Yeah, as cheap and available as 30-30 brass is, I say go for it, in the 28" barrel, you should be able to get 1800-1900 fps with the IMR3031 and 255gr cast bullet and if it's sized right, keep the leading to a minimum, and there's always the gas check option if you need it. 

Tim

[wgr]

thinks Tim ill let you know how it works out