anyone reloading 38-55? I have a Winchester 26" barrel old gun. Need to load. Suggestions.
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anyone reloading 38-55? I have a Winchester 26" barrel old gun. Need to load. Suggestions.
Jacketed bullets are either expensive (if you buy Barnes Originals) or very hard to find if you want Hornady or Sierras. I have been shooting Barnes 255-grain, .377" jacketed and 265-grain, .379" hard cast with H4198. I would be using Reloder 7 but it's hard to lay hands on. With full-on loads of around 27 grains velocities are 1700 f.p.s. and accuracy is quite good. I have two .38-55's; a 26-inch Winchester 1894 and a 28" Winchester 1885 single shot.
I get my lead bullets made by Jet Bullets in Alberta; prices are good and they work well for me.
I recently bought some cheap .375 Winchester ammo with 220-grain bullets, so I pulled 60 bullets I'm saving for a rainy day.
Really, your best bet is to find jacketed bullets and Reloder 7 and have at 'er.
I used my .38-55 in a Cowboy Rifle Silhouette match a couple weeks ago. It was a ton of fun! The rams we use at 200 yards are about 18" tall and 30" wide, which doesn't sound challenging until you are trying to hit them offhand with an iron-sighted rifle, lol! I learned some humility and was beaten by a 14-year-old kid!
Beat by a kid. You cant replace or buy the fun had. What a great piece of advice and story. Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kilo Charlie
When I think back to all the fun shooting I did as a kid and how good I was it makes reminds me how much things have slipped with the lack of practice, never think that being beat by a kid, woman, city folk, etc, is an issue, they are just good at what they do and can push you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kilo Charlie
I actually developed a permanent bend in my finger from shooting traditional archery at my grandparents place when I was a kid, that and the 30lb compound bow, no sights on either. Do you think I could hit a dang thing now with that traditional bow, ha ha ha, never.
Just to clarify how we shoot the Cowboy Silhouette: We set up 10 steel silhouettes at 50 yards, 10 at 100 yards, 10 at 150 and 10 at 200, increasing in size as the distance gets longer. You may use any lever rifle that fires a rimmed cartridge, iron sights only. I've only shot once. Most people use Model 94 Winchester carbines in .30-30; one woman used a .32 Special, and one fella used a .375 Winchester. I used my single shot; they allowed me to shoot but my score could not be counted as my rifle was not a lever action repeater.
It's very informal and tons of fun, and trust me....when you ding the life-size turkey at 100 yards you feel pretty proud, lol!
It has taken me 3 yrs to get this rifle. He finally called me and said he wanted to sell it. 1956, Model 94 in 30-30. I have not shot it yet.Attachment 35313
Sold it to me for $350......
Sweet rifle Mark
I love that old caliber. I own a Win Mod 94 from 1899 and a Marlin 36 both in 38-55 and a Marlin 36 in 375 Win. I likely own half a dozen molds and sizer dies for that cal ranging from 375 to 381 dia. If you got any questions just give me a pm as I can certainly point you in the right direction.