I had a Buddie cast me some 38-55 in .380 diameter and would like to load it with some IMR 3031:

The cast BHN runs around 13 and would like to keep smokeless loads around 1400 fps ;

The bullet cast in 264 grain plain base any ideas on how much powder to start to use I was thinking more like 28 grains to start?

I don't see that listed in any of my books...I think I would go with RL-7
OR maybe 2400 Just my opinion or 2 cents worth..

Only reference I have that's close is http://stevespages.com/375_5_255.html
Remember the usual cautions about internet data.

I guess it really depends on what rifle you are using in .38-55. In my Ruger No. 3, with a custom Douglas 26 inch barrel, I shoot the RCBS 265 gr cast FN, with gas check, with 32 grain of IMR 3031, with a measured velocity of 1800 fps. I don't know if that would be a suitable load in all rifles chambered for the .38-55.

Ken Waters Pet Loads lists several 38-55 and IMR3031 loads.

He breaks the loads down into three power levels based in the strength of the actions in which this cartridge has been chambered.

His level two loads (Marlin 1893/Winchester 94) are
- Lyman 375248 and 30-32 gr IMR 3031

His level three loads (HighWall, etc) are
- Lyman 375248 and 33-34gr IMR 3031

I shoot a Uberti Highwall with a .382 groove, .375 bore and use Lyman 375449 (.377") paper patched up to .382 over 32 gr IMR 3031. This runs 1780 fps in my rifle (30" barrel). I like 2400 for more moderate loads.

-ktw

I loaded to-day three different loads to try with IMR 3031
10 rounds 26 grains
10 rounds 27.5
10 rounds 28 grains
Bullet used 265 grain FP .380 diameter COAL 2.570 wheel weights air cooled mountain mould
The bullet should be a BHN of 13

I don't know your barrel length, so velocity can't be calculated. QuickLOAD suggests that for a 24" barrel, more like 25 grains would make 1400 fps, but YMMV. Very low peak pressure (15,000 PSI) and unimpressive ballistic efficiency 24.8% results because only about 75% of the powder will burn in the bore at that low pressure. You will probably find the barrel dirty. About 20 grains of IMR4198 or VVN120 look like the best compromise of case fill and ballistic efficiency to me.

The gun did well for the first range trip,I had a few loads made up all using 262 grain soft lead boolets with a BHN of 13.
I set up at 70 yards and added a small 1x4 scope just to see how the gun will group I have no intention in using a scope but will be switching back to a peep sight.
I tried IMR 3031 26.0 out first all group excellent 1 1/2" maybe 15 rounds total
next out IMR 3031 27.5 not bad but did have a fly er or 2 in the pattern
28.0 grains IMR3031 right back to a nice 15 shot group 1"
I loaded a few with 10 grains of unique powder gun did not like the powder at all
I was surprise no problems at all with empty shell or action popping open: I have say I did close the action very gentle and it lock up fine
The IMRr and the cast 262 wheel weight air cooled but even at 28. grains of powder showed no leading at all.
I think it will be a excellent whitetail gun for the up incoming season and I love the recoil.)NONE)

I would love to reduce the trigger pull I bet 6 ilb easy
I wonder if any one will have a ball park idea on what the FPS the barrel is 28" using 28 grains of powder

I wonder if any one will have a ball park idea on what the FPS the barrel is 28" using 28 grains of powder

28.0 gr of IMR 3031 gives me something in the range of 1400-1425 fps with a 265gr cast lead bullet in a 30" barrel.

I get a cleaner burn and better results at 29-31 grains.

-ktw

I called h@R and we talk about the heavy trigger pull I was going to reduce the pull myself but after taking with customer service i decided to ship it back and let them readjust it to 3 1/2 pounds.
I check it with my scale RCBS and at 75 oz still the trigger will not break I think more like 82 oz for it to brake.
I have to say as age creeps up the lighter the recoil the more enjoyable it is to shoot.I had a 45-70 2 years ago shot excellent but gave it up the shoulder bones were taken a beating

I had forgotten, in my earlier post, to include a barrel friction term in the calculations, so it came out a bit fast with 25 grains. Barrel friction has significant effect in lower pressure straight wall cases. It is an interesting case, with this bullet and powder combination in this chambering, that barrel friction can actually cause a slight loss of velocity in a long barrel as compared with a 24" barrel. This is a little like the .22 rimfire, which starts to lose velocity in the barrel after around 16"-18". The pressure is only about half SAAMI peak presure for this load, which Quickload calculates is running around 16,000 PSI under the conditions indicated. No wonder it is burning poorly and runs on the dirty side.

The calculations I did, which can easily be off 50 fps when you start to take individual gun geometry into account, were:

28 gr 3031, case with 52 grains water capacity, bullet 265 grains and 1" long, seated to 2.51" COL. Any difference in any of these terms will change the results.

24": 1435 fps.
28": 1432 fps.
30": 1428 fps.

Peak velocity was at 22.7" and was 1435.2 fps. Going to IMR 4198 and running up nearer the SAAMI pressure limit can gain you about 300 fps, though it may not be appropriate for an old gun. As always, work up slowly.

I have a question ; will bevel base bullet shoot as good as a plain base bullet?
I look into some 245RNFPBB for the 38-55 don't know if it worth trying

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/lonewolf5347/38-55002.jpg
I seem to hit on the right load :The above sarco#738 255 FP soft cast in .379
powder charge IMR 3031 26.5 I would think FPS around 1450
I also tried 264 grain mountain mould dia:.380 using 26.0 grain of IMR 3031
all shots from the bench at 60 yards
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/lonewolf5347/38-55004.jpg