Author Topic: Can the 38-55 loads in a Marlin be increased? (Read 1279 times)

shilo · « **on:** February 12, 2006, 05:10:18 AM »

Can the 38-55 Win in a Marlin be loaded up to approach the performance of the 375 Win? Marlins were chambered for 375s which opperate at an industry maximum of 52,000 cup. So I would think the action is strong enough. The cases of the 38-55 and 375 have very similiar diminsions; the 38-55 may have alittle more case capacity. As far as the brass being "weaker", it's the gun that contains the pressure not the brass. Heard the same thing 20yrs ago about 45 Colt brass when loading up loads J. Linebaugh had recommended that conventional wisdom of the day said would surely result in disaster. So why couldn't the 38-55 be loaded up? Is there any load/pressure data available anywhere? Thanks.

Triple4 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2006, 01:45:17 AM »

I load my 38-55 Marlin Cowboy to 375 levels, with Hardcast bullets and I use 30-30 fireformed brass, 30-30 FF brass has a little thiner brass at the case mouth and that works very well with the .380/.381 bullets I use. I only use reloader# 7 powder and WWLRP primers. No problems so far and it shoots great, my 280gr load runs 2000fps and is a very very accurate load, the 38-55 is a much better shooter then my 45-70 Cowboy the 38-55 has a thicker barrel and is heavier so it does not walk and string shots when heating up like the 45-70 does.

shilo · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2006, 05:25:33 PM »

Thanks for the replie Triple4.

Swany · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2006, 04:17:57 PM »

Shilo, just look in a Lyman manual and compare the 255gn loads for .375 and 38-55 using RX7 it is an eye opener. My load for my CB is 29.5gns of reloader 7 with 250gn jacketed from Stone Fence.

Comparing the 38-55 and the .375W is easy both are very similar in size and case capacity.

The 38-55 case is larger not by much but still larger in length and dia, so it will hold more with equal wgt bullets as the 38-55 will be slightly shorter and larger dia. The .375 case is thicker reducing the capacity more but offering more case strength, kind of moot when you are putting them in leverguns. Back to the 38-55 attributes, the 38-55 has a slower twist, there fore has less resistance when pushed by the same pressures exceeds the .375 in fps easily still not by much. But when you buy this brass click link, and get the original length case which is .050 longer than the W stuff put out today and at $82 per hundred not that bad. http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,209.htm Couple that with a modern firearm such as the Marlin CB you can load it up pretty stout and at the same levels and beyond the stats for the .375 because of the slow twist and larger bore.

Ed Swanson

cjensen · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2006, 10:06:56 AM »

Starline is in the process of making 38-55 brass to the original length.

Steelbanger · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2006, 11:33:09 AM »

Starline has been in the process of making 38-55 brass for at least three years now! Their site still says "COMING SOON". BS

big medicine · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2006, 02:13:33 PM »

Quote from: cjensen

Starline is in the process of making 38-55 brass to the original length.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting. Like Steelbanger said it has been at least 3 years. I have used the Winchester brass and there is noting wrong with it. It is 38/55 brass not just 375 stamped 38/55.

I'm shooting 37.5 grains of H335 with the Stone Fence 250 gr .378 dia bullet, and it is not a wimpy load :wink: