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Author Topic: 38-55 Loading  (Read 1070 times)

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Offline frgerald

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38-55 Loading
« on: February 16, 2011, 10:23:05 AM »
Do any of you guys who shoot the 38-55 have any loads you might recommend?  Everything I can find seems to take in account the older guns and are way conservative.  Maybe I am just not sharp enough to find the info.  I'm not looking to shoot into the next state....just looking for a decent load that would take a big hog at , say 200 yards without having to fire "mortar style".   

Thx,
Gerald 
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Offline lonewolf5348

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Re: 38-55 Loading
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2011, 10:34:13 AM »
My load is IMR 3031 33.0 grains with a 255 FP soft cast bullet .380 BHN 10
no gas check no leading
I use starline brass and seat the bullet at 2.655
I don't have the spec: with me on the COAL but I did find the gun likes the bullet to seat against the lands
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 38-55 Loading
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2011, 01:28:44 PM »
Gerald, just use 375 Winchester data in 38-55 brass if you're using gas checked or jacketed bullets, Rl7 works excellent, I've shot jacketed 220gr @ ~2400fps and gas checked 325gr @ 1875fps. The only thing you have to worry about is someone loading them in a traditional 38-55 levergun, so be sure to mark the ammo for use in the H&R only.

Tim

http://fiveshot.org/backissues/paco/375win.htm
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Offline frgerald

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Re: 38-55 Loading
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2011, 04:58:28 PM »
Thx Tim,

That is the neighborhood I was looking for.  By golly, if the old time buffalo hunters could make the shots, this old-timer should be able to with modern optics.  I realize they were shooting buffalo with 45's and 50's but our hogs are a lot like those critters, just about 1/3 to 1/2 the size so the 38-55 H&R should do the trick!  ;D

Gerald
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Offline petemi

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Re: 38-55 Loading
« Reply #4 on: February 17, 2011, 12:49:42 AM »
Tim gave me the same information with my .38-55 and it works.  Accurate, fast and fairly mild recoil.
Go get a hog, Gerald.

Pete
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Offline Peshtigo71

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Re: 38-55 Loading
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2011, 04:53:21 PM »
   Tim, I've been wanting to load some heavy bullets for my 38-55 Handi also.  What are the specifics for
   your 325 grainers and where do you get the bullets from?   I don't cast my own so I hope you have a
   source for me.  Thanks ED
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 38-55 Loading
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2011, 07:15:51 PM »
Chey-cast, they're the .380" Snover, I added gas checks to mine, see Gas Checking PB bullets in the FAQs.

Tim

http://www.cheycast.com/catalog.htm
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Offline Blackhawker

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Re: 38-55 Loading
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2011, 03:25:17 AM »
I have found the following powders to work very well under a 264 grain gas checked bullet:  IMR-4198, IMR-3031, and 2400.  I have yet to try the RX-7 as Tim suggested but will probably do so some time this year.  As Tim mentioned, try the 375 Win loads with these powders and you'll do fine.  Just keep in mind that these loads can only be used in your your H&R SB2 frame or similar strength rifle.

Good luck and enjoy! 
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Offline frgerald

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Re: 38-55 Loading
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2011, 12:10:25 PM »
I am having trouble finding jacketed bullets for the 38-55?? ::)  I am in N. Texas for goodness sake, we have a gun store on every other corner!!!  I bought a box of Speer 375 caliber .375 - 235 grain spitzers and with very little finger pressure, they can be pushed flush into the muzzle.  After this happened, I opened the breech, shined a flashlight up the barrel and could see light around the bullet stuck in the barrel????  Is this normal for the jacketed bullet in that caliber?  I reloaded many years ago but have just now started up again.  Tim, I got the RL7 powder and primers but am hesitant to use these bullets or should I just throw a big rock instead?   ::)

Thx for any and all assistance.
Gerald
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: 38-55 Loading
« Reply #9 on: March 10, 2011, 01:57:10 PM »
Barnes and Hawk are the only commercial mfr that makes a .377" jacketed bullet that may work, specially if you load it hot, .375" bullets are too small, H&R 38-55 barrels have groove diameters of ~.3785" or bigger, so your best bet is to just use cast bullets, Hunter Supply makes gas checked .381" bullets, but they don't come with the gas checks installed, you have to install them, unless you can order them direct from them included.

Tim

http://www.hawkbullets.com/Pricelist.htm

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/515

http://www.hunters-supply.com/shop/index.php?cPath=25&osCsid=9ff0ce5a99d164900c5ee6e1fab24219

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=2046270933
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Offline gcrank1

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Re: 38-55 Loading
« Reply #10 on: March 10, 2011, 04:54:49 PM »
Not for everyone, but there is info available on how to 'bump-up' the dia. of otherwise undersize jacketed (and lead) bullets. I have not done it as I like cast bullets, but have read about it and it wouldnt be too bad to do for this small amount of dia. increase.
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Offline frgerald

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Re: 38-55 Loading
« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2011, 05:43:53 PM »
Thanks for the info guys.  I just bought these this week so guess I'll list them for sale and try to recoup some of the expense.  Taking a loss beats loading them up and spraying them all over the countryside wasting the bullets AND powder and primer not to mention my valuable retirement time!!   ::) ;D

Gerald
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