.38-55 loads and Lyman 250 gr FN

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BrentD
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.38-55 loads and Lyman 250 gr FN

Post by BrentD »

I'm looking for a load - maybe a magical load (ie, one that will shoot in the sub 2 MOA region reliably), for my .93 Marlin in .38-55.

I'm using the Lyman flatnosed bullet that is nominally 249grs, and I think I will test Unique in the range of 10-15 grs. Does that sound reasonable? I tried some old blackpowder loads that worked in the gun, sort of, before it was relined. They shot terrible, and some 4198 didn't shoot much better, hence the Unique. Does that range of powder charges (10-15 grs) sound okay, or is 15 gr a bit on the steep side?

Thanks for any constructive comments.
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Re: .38-55 loads and Lyman 250 gr FN

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I use 10.0g of Unique behind a hunters supply 260g cast bullet in my Marlin and 26.1g of IMR 4895 behind an Oregon trail 240g bullet in my Winchester. I tried 5744, 3031 and they didn't work as well for me. I use .381 bullets, as you know the proper size bullet is most important. The Marlin seems to like loads 1200fps ish. The Winchester is an animal and shoots everything. Good luck! YMMV etc............
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Re: .38-55 loads and Lyman 250 gr FN

Post by psteiger »

If it's relined, it might have a .375 bore. Check it. I think you know all this stuff, but just in case.
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BrentD
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Re: .38-55 loads and Lyman 250 gr FN

Post by BrentD »

It is and it does, so the "modern" dimensions for bullets and brass are appropriate.

That's a healthy dose of 4895. I don't think I ever explored that high.

I'll start the Unique experiments at 10g and see what happens.
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Re: .38-55 loads and Lyman 250 gr FN

Post by Taps »

10gr of Unique ( or actually our Aussie made AP-70, which is very close ) works well in all 3 of my .38-55 Winchesters. Takes down rams too!
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Re: .38-55 loads and Lyman 250 gr FN

Post by BrentD »

Thank you Daniel,
I will load some in a few minutes. 10 seemed on the light side to me, but apparently not, so that's what I'll start with.
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Re: .38-55 loads and Lyman 250 gr FN

Post by emmettva »

Brent

Lyman has a newer mold version of that bullet that as cast in bp alloys drops about 0.382 to fit oversize bores the older molds will drop 378 or so'

and youtube shows Wind Whitehill---sadly just deceased--hitting an 800 yd gong routinely with 10 grains Unique in a marlin 336 lever action in 38-55
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Re: .38-55 loads and Lyman 250 gr FN

Post by twidpa »

Try RL7. Look up the listed min and max and do a little testing. You should be happy!
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Re: .38-55 loads and Lyman 250 gr FN

Post by BrentD »

I shot a bunch of different loadings of Unique tonight. From 10 grs up to 12. The low end loads shot about 1.5" wide and 12" tall. The higher charges shot 5" wide and 10" tall. Yes, I positioned the powder on the primer before every shot. But no love.

Tonight I'll revisit the best of these with a slight variation added to the loading per a friend's phone call last night. I'll also try some 4198 and some 4227. Neither have been great for me before, but I'm willing to revisit them with this newly relined barrel.
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