Hi Guys
I would like to hear about your cast bullet loads for 38-55 . I'm looking for something around the 1500 FPS range with a 250-265 grain bullet. Thanks John

Got lots of choices.

From the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual:
.250gr FNGC lead

Reloader 7: 25gr.= 1392fps
27gr.= 1513fps
3031: 26gr. = 1357fps
28gr. = 1448fps

From Lyman #48
249gr. FN lead

4198 : 25gr. = 1590fps
28gr. = 1755fps
3031 : 31gr. = 1506fps
35gr. = 1812fps
Reloader 7: 30gr. = 1664fps
35gr. = 1998fps
The two manuals don't agree exactly, and Lyman takes the 38/55 right up there is pressure...but teh starting loads for the Lyman data seem in lione with the RCBS data to be reasoanbly useful...just depends on how fast you want to go.

(And BTW: I DO NOT care for the Lyman Reloader 7 max. load....when i use Reloader 7, feel that 31gr. would be the amx. in this rifle at hand, and that the starting load of 30 is probably the better choice).

While you didn't ask for it, will include a couple of "fun loads" (both taken from the RCBS manual:

250gr. FNGC lead
Unique: 8.0gr. = 1033fps
9.0gr. = 1176fps
Red Dot: 7.0gr. = 1023fps
8.0gr. = 1160fps.

I agree about the Lyman max load listed being too hot. I routinely load the BTB 250 over 35.7gr of Re7 using 38-55 brass in my 375 Win seated to 2.56. This gets about 2100 fps and is max in my Marlin. Since this is in the Winchester 94 forum I'll assume that we're talking about a 94 here. In that case I'd say that the 375 is considerably stronger than 38-55 so be careful with 35.0 gr.

I played with light charges of Re7 in the 375 once and found that at about 18.0gr I was getting anywhere from 1100 to 1300 fps. The extreme spread was, well, extreme. I think this was due to the very empty case at this level. Based on that experience I'd say Re7 doesn't lend itself to light charges in this cartridge.

Hi Guys
I would like to hear about your cast bullet loads for 38-55 . I'm looking for something around the 1500 FPS range with a 250-265 grain bullet. Thanks John


John,

There is a lot of information out there on reloading the .38/55. You just have to know where to look. You can go to Google and type in ".38/55 Winchester" and get a lot of information. Remember, what works well in one gun may not be optimal in another. Approach each suggested load with caution. Don't believe everything you read in the literature. That said, here is a load suggested by John Taffin in an article entitled "The .38-55 is back!" John wrote:"I have settled on a load for my general use of RCBS's 250 grain flat nosed gas check design, #37-250FN, sized either .377" or .379" and loaded over 33.0 grains of H4895. Muzzle velocity is 1700+fps and both shoot into 1/2" or less at 50 yards." That load seems a little on the warm side to me. Approach with caution.

Mike Venturino in his book "Shooting Lever Guns of the Old West" suggested the following load: 255 grain Barnes JSP and 34 grains of IMR 3031 for a muzzle velocity of 1644 fps. If memory serves, he said he took a nice Montana mule deer with this load.

One of the better loads in my Model 94 Winchester rifle is as follows: Winchester cases, CCI#200 primers, 23.3 grains of RL-7, SAECO#373 265 grain cast lead, gas check bullet sized 0.376" (0.375 groove diameter), overall length of 2.43" (short throat), loads crimped with a Lee crimping die. My best group was 5 shots at 50 yards in a 1 3/8" group with an average muzzle velocity of 1540 fps, std. dev. of 14 fps, and an extreme spread of 35 fps.

I hope this helps. Let me know how things work out for you. Just be careful. Don't push the old girl too hard. I'd be hesitant to drive a 250 to 265 grain bullet faster than 1600 fps. In my gun, at least, accuracy suffers and the curved steel butt plate makes recoil unpleasant when muzzle velocity exceeds 1600 fps.

Good luck.
Ciao.
Carlino