38-55 All Set!

[happydog]

Hi All.   Tim, Lonewolf, and others, I followed your advise and got some Starline 38-55 brass (WOW has brass gotten expensive !!  ).  Unlike my WW brass, the Starline chambers perfectly with my lead bullets.
I've loaded up some test ammo (shooting my 38-55 for the first time) and I hope to make it to the range this afternoon (wind please be calm !!).  I've loaded up 15 rounds each of the following.  First load; Lyman 375248 at 1-20, Lee Allox tumble lube, not sized, mike at .380-381.  Rem 9 1/2 primers, 9.5 grains Unique. OAL at 2.7815, rifling cuts the first band and just marks the second, easy loading, locks up perfectly. Second load; Same bullet, primer, 17.3 grains of 2400, same OAL.  Both of these should shoot around 1200 fps. One note here, I'm going through one of my oldy-time phases so I loaded this ammo with my Lyman 310 tool.  Not exactly perfect, but these tools load good ammo plus using them is fun and relates back to the "good" ol' days!    When I get serious, serious, I'll consider sizing my bullets and using my  regular reloading gear...or maybe not if all goes well!  I'll get back with you with my results.  (Still no wind, It's obvious that God wants me to go shooting this afternoon!   )       

[lonewolf5348]

9.5 grains Unique ?
keep me posted
The brass is expensive I went for the 2.080 starline OAL by the time I get ready for BP loads I am sure the brass will get longer as I shoot it without trimming it.

[happydog]

Hello Lonewolf.  I found a couple of listings for the 9.5 grains of unique load plus a few of my shooting pals have used unique with great success with their lead bullet rifle loads.  First time for me, however.  I did get the long brass but I don't expect to get much case stretching. I'll certainly measure a few cases after firing and trim if needed. I'm going to try black (duplex) later on also.  If I remember right you posted a "favorite" lead bullet load a while back.  How about a reminder ??  Thanks.   

[quickdtoo]

Good work fellas!! I'm going in the opposite direction and loading the 2.125" Starline with Chey-cast .380" 325gr Snover bullets, I polished out a .379" lyman sizer die to .380", chamfered the base of the bullet, then seat a .375" gas check on them. Since the lube that comes on the bullets is for BP only, I remove it and lube with Rooster smokeless lube while installing the gas check. I'll be shooting either RL10 or IMR4198 at 375 Winchester pressures, if all goes well, I'll work up to a velocity in the 1900fps+ neighborhood.

Tim

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

[happydog]

Hi Tim.  Sounds like an excellent hunting load you got there.  Should be a good one.  I'm hoping to have a 38-55 gas check mold (don't know the number yet) by the end of next week.  A buddy of mine is bringing  it to the Cartridge Show in Castle Rock. (Are you going to the show? March 14 and 15 at the Rose Tree Restaurant.  Small but excellent show!)  I'll try some higher velocities with the gas check bullet.  (So many loads to try, so little time! )         

[quickdtoo]

I have some 280gr .380" Mt Baldy bullets to try, I'd use those for hunting, the Snovers are for 300yd target shooting. 

Haven't been to a gun show in 20yrs, just not interested in the crowds I guess.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,138280.msg1098540204.html#msg1098540204

[rbergum95]

the unique loads should shoot pretty well. i use 11 gr in WW cases with a 240 gr .380 dia laser caest bullet with good success. groups around and inch at 100 but i shoot those loads mainly at 400 yards for fun. usually gives me 3-4 inch groups at that range. good luck.

ron

[lonewolf5348]

I still have not made up my mind on what powder to throw
I have some 264 grain boolets in .380 diameter plain base that have a BHN of 13
I think I try some some IMR3031 26.0 grains
I may just try 10.0 grains of unique
I want to try to keep FPS around 1400 with the soft lead
I want to see how the gun shoots :I removed the peep sight and mounted a 1.5x5 scope for now until I find the best load.
I may also try the 265 grain from beartooth bullets with a GC next and boost the IMR 3031 with a higher powder charge.

[happydog]

Hi Guys.  Went shootin' (range is close) and here is how it turned out. First off, BEAUTIFUL day, no wind, 63 degrees, sunny.  Perfect shooting conditions. My shooting was off a bench, good solid rest.  All shots at 50 yards. Understand that I have done nothing except clean my 38-55.  (The buildup is complete )

My 17 grain load of 2400 was doo-doo  (a technical shooting term). 10 shots, maybe a 3" pattern, no group.

My 9.5 grain load of Unique was NOT doo-doo !!  Things look most promising here!  Again, 10 shots (first 10 shots from the new rifle).  The overall group was about 1 1/2 inches, but the rifle settled down (and I settled down) and I shot the last 6 rounds into a .56 inch group!    A couple of points of consideration here.  I believe that warming up the barrel just a tad helped settle things down and wake up the rifle a little.  Also, I heard Handi-Holic voices telling me to "Keep the front rest under the forearm screw!"  Trigger pull on my rifle is excellent, aperture sights are good for old eyes. When seating the bullets in my 310 tool die, I rotate the shell to help center the bullet. (maybe that helps, maybe it doesn't)   I believe I have a winner here! Can't wait to try some 100 yard tests !!

           

[handirifle]

I have some 280gr .380" Mt Baldy bullets to try, I'd use those for hunting, the Snovers are for 300yd target shooting. 

Haven't been to a gun show in 20yrs, just not interested in the crowds I guess.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,138280.msg1098540204.html#msg1098540204

Tim
I'd be real interested in how those snovers work.  I have some of the same and they keyholed at BP velocities.