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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Loading for the .38-55 (Read 2372 times)
Cbashooter
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Re: Loading for the .38-55
Reply #15 - Aug 23rd, 2022 at 7:45pm
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the early 38-55 marlin cowboy rifles had .379 bores and no throat! but would only chamber. 375 bullets.
it was a similar issue. My buddy had a reamer made up to correct this.Marlin later fixed the issue.
similar problem the OP is having. 
  
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ssdave
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Re: Loading for the .38-55
Reply #16 - Aug 23rd, 2022 at 9:05pm
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P08 wrote on Aug 22nd, 2022 at 9:19pm:
Ok, bore measured at the muzzle is .3765 in the grooves. Loaded some 225 gr jacketed SP bullets called Hornady just to be sure and no problem. Loaded 5 with 30gr and 5 with 31gr 3031 just to see what the brass fire forms to. Also to see if that works fine see if I can get the 240's to go in properly. If not will need to get a sizer die for the bullets.
As for my first post, I checked and I fat fingered a 3 instead of a 2.
Shooting it tomorrow night and will report back. Thanks for all the input.


I'd use a .377 sizing die, good way to do that is a Lee push through:
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Then, you may have to custom size the brass to work, a Lyman M expansion die in the correct diameter is the way to go:

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Might have to have a custom expander plug made up for the Lyman, not sure what size the factory one is.

Did you get to shoot the rifle today?  How did it do?
  
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P08
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Re: Loading for the .38-55
Reply #17 - Aug 23rd, 2022 at 9:33pm
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Ok, so just got back and I am happy. Fired the .375 jacketed bullets with no issue and 31gr of 3031 was pretty accurate 3 shot group was 2" @100 yards. Took the fired cases home, didn't resize and plopped a 240gr lead that had bulged the brass a bit. Fit in the case great, no bulge and what is best it chambered easily! Will slug the bore and report, but the diameter I measured with the calipers was .376 and the bullets are .378 ish. 
I do have to say I love how soft this gun shoots! It is heavy, but a dream compared to my other Hi Wall in .45-70 shooting 405gr lead. Steel crescent butt plates hurt off a bench!

Thanks for all the advice. Smiley
  
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ssdave
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Re: Loading for the .38-55
Reply #18 - Aug 24th, 2022 at 12:20am
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I shoot my 38-55 similarly, with slip fit bullets that slide into the fired case with no resizing.  I drop my powder charge, fill the case to the top with wheat bran that is shredded to a fluffy powder in my spice grinder, put a tight fitting wad on top and then seat the bullet to the depth where it fully seats into the throat of the rifle.  The bran holds the powder in place and gives a lot more uniform velocity.  I started out using Puf-lon, and when it became unavailable, switched to bran.  more labor, cheaper, and seems to work just as well.   

You're fortunate if a bullet .0015" over groove slip fits into your fired casings.  I had a custom reamer and custom bullet mold made to make it happen in mine.
  
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Piltdownman
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Re: Loading for the .38-55
Reply #19 - Aug 24th, 2022 at 10:43am
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Look at the NOE expanders that fit the Lee universal expander tool.They are inexpensive and come in many sizes. 


This one probably will work for you.they have a double step.
The first is the main expander diameter  the second the flair 

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Here is the expander Lee sells that they drop in

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« Last Edit: Aug 24th, 2022 at 11:08am by Piltdownman »  

If I hear another  millenial use the term "node" or "optimal " at the range I'll scream!!!
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Piltdownman
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Re: Loading for the .38-55
Reply #20 - Aug 24th, 2022 at 11:38am
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ssdave

Years ago I was using SuperGrex shot  buffer to do something similar but in some cases it left goo in the throat. Are You are doing this with smokeless loads and your ground up bran correct?  In my Ruger  cap and ball revolver target loads  I use cream of wheat for filler until I made longer loading rods so I didn't have to do this step.
That's a neat idea, Thanks for posting that.
  

If I hear another  millenial use the term "node" or "optimal " at the range I'll scream!!!
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Aussie_Hunter
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Re: Loading for the .38-55
Reply #21 - Aug 25th, 2022 at 10:18pm
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I have a Low  Wall with a Green Mountain bbl in 38-55,bought a set of Lee dies for re-loading and found when seating that my .378" projectiles stuck  in the die  as Lee makes them at .375", , dies now "retired" now  de-prime , slightly expand neck drop 43.0g of of  2P  or 3F, compress and finger seat 265g projectile so it just touches leade, getting 1 1/2" - 2" groups and expect to better that with more practice. The rifle is a joy to use.
  
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P08
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Re: Loading for the .38-55
Reply #22 - Aug 30th, 2022 at 4:13pm
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Well I  ran short of the .375 JSP bullets. I did however come up with a way to fix my issue. I took the leftover brass that I had sized too small and seated a .375 bullet. Then pulled the bullet. Loaded a .378 lead bullet and even though there is a slight bulge, the round chambers. This will allow me to blow the case out. Then I never size the brass again!
  
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RDBallard
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Re: Loading for the .38-55
Reply #23 - Sep 1st, 2022 at 12:10am
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Aussie_Hunter wrote on Aug 25th, 2022 at 10:18pm:
I have a Low  Wall with a Green Mountain bbl in 38-55,bought a set of Lee dies for re-loading and found when seating that my .378" projectiles stuck  in the die  as Lee makes them at .375", , dies now "retired" now  de-prime , slightly expand neck drop 43.0g of of  2P  or 3F, compress and finger seat 265g projectile so it just touches leade, getting 1 1/2" - 2" groups and expect to better that with more practice. The rifle is a joy to use.


Wow. A low wall in 38-55? What was the largest caliber they left Winchester in?
  
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