Author Topic: BP in New Marlin 38-55 (Read 1549 times)

Brasskisser · « **on:** March 28, 2003, 04:08:07 AM »

I bought this rifle to shot CAS long range side matches for lever guns. I really like this rifle and have installed midrange sole tang sight and Lyman #17 (with incerts) on the front end. I am experimenting with BP and to date the best groups are with Swiss FFFg, and home cast 270gr. gas check bullets sized .380 and lubed with Lee Shaver's Black Powder Moly Lube. These come from a Rapine Mold. I do not remember the amount of BP but it is what ever can be drop tubed in the case with little or no compression. So far this load is grouping 10 shots into 3" at 100 yards. Not what I want yet. I would like to here from anyone who is experimenting with BP in this caliber and rifle. If you have any BP loads you can share I would be greatful.
One thing I have noticed, is this rifle must have very deep rifling as it take a while to get it clean. I have never shot BP in this type gun before. Lots of buffalo gun in Sharps,but not lever guns. How do you control the fouling? Any coaching and experience will be appreciated.

1860 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 05, 2003, 02:26:11 AM »

Brasskisser,

I don't load the 38-55, yet, I'm working a deal for an original Winchester 94 in that Cal so I hope to start. Don't suppose you know where I can find some commercial lead bullets, either unlubed or with BP lube??? Where did you get your brass?

I do load and shoot a number of the pistol Cal's with BP in leverguns, fouling is always an issue. Lot's of lube is the only real help, or you could "cheat" :-) , and use a sub like 777 or Cleanshot.

1860

Brasskisser · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2003, 03:24:25 AM »

1860, When you get that rifle (38-55) I would slug the bore, cause there is some variance from .375 to .381. Mine is a brand new Marlin and it needs .380" bullets. I cast mine from a Rapine double cavity mold that holds lots of lube. It is a 270 gr. gas check design. I use Winchester brass and ordered mine from Midway. I did load development with a scope then replaced the front and rear sights with Lyman #17 and a good mid-range sole sight from Lee Shaver in Missouri. My load is with a surplus powder Accurate 2200, 24.0 gr. and Fed 210 primers. I have repeatedly shot 10 shot groups with iron sights into less than 1 1/2" at 100 yds. This is the best I can help with for now. Good Luck! Peace!

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2003, 11:41:35 AM »

Yo Brasskisser!!!

Good to see another Iowegian here! :-D I'm shooting the forth Sunday of this month at Scorpion Gulch. Any chance y'all can be there?

Brasskisser · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2003, 02:49:21 AM »

CC, OK, Where the hell is Scorpion Gulch??? Opps, I forgot, The fourth Sunday of this month, We have a buffler shot at Ackley. Two days, big herds. Keep your powder dry. Where's your ranch house? Go Hawks!!

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2003, 08:10:03 AM »

http://www.zenshootists.com/

Howdy Brasskisser! Ah'm down here at Knoxville! Ah'm a Lawdawg down here! BTW, Yer not far from Coralville ain't ya? There's another CASer there who's a Pard of mine by the name of Coralville Marshal. (bet ya can't guess what he does fer a living? :wink: )

Anyway, The Zen Shootists are in the process of building a new range. We got tired of having our buildings and equipment shot up at the Colfax Gun Club so we relocated. When we are done we hope to have the premier CAS shooting facility in the midwest. Have have a fantastic location with parking for nearly a thousand vehicles, lots of shade, a huge backstop, plenty of shade, and large core group of volunteers who have been working to get the new range up and running. It will take a couple of years to get all our buildings up but we are ready to start shooting with some portable false fronts now. Also when finished we will have running water toilets and showers on site for campers! Our club currently Cohosts the Iowa State SASS Championships at Ackley, Iowa NCOWS range but we plan to have our range ready to use for this in a year or two.

BTW, I'm the guy who won the Coyote Cap Norchester 97 at the SASS State Championships at Ackley last year! :grin:

Come on down and shoot with us sometime! It would be really easy fer ya to get here, just take I-80 west to the Colfax Juntion and turn south. Just off the interstate and easy to see from the road!

howdy doody · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2003, 03:43:30 PM »

Pard, although you might not call it real BP, I am loading 777 in my 38-55 and doing very well with it under a Mid Kansas 245gr bullet. I use a milk carton wad and nothing else. Now, this will be controversal to say the least, since we all know BP is measured by volume, but the way I get perfect loads is use a 2.8 lee scoop and then weigh each charge, trickling until I have 30gr by weight and then I drop the powder down a 24" drop tube, add wad and seat bullet and give a good roll crimp. It sure do work for me. I shoot mine to 200 meters at cowboy silhouettes once a month and have shot it at a buffalo at 400 yds in a side match. Three straight loads chronographed at 1340 with only 4 fps deviation. That is better than I was doing with 4198 smokeless. That is just what works for me and your mileage may vary. :grin: