After a few not very satisfied tests with cast bullets and Vitha N110 , now I have bought a box of Hornady 220grs FN and IMR-3031.
I have some datas, but I don´t know, what is the "really" max. load. Hornady lists ~34grs, but Quick Load calculate not more than 23.000psi.
Have anyone a "favourite" load with the 3031 and the jacketed bullet? And loads with this propelant and the Lyman 249grs lead FN and the 265grs FN with gas check.
I have a Browning High Wall.

Thanks,

Martin

I have only had my C Sharps 38-55 a short time. I load RL 7, and 265 grain gas checked lead bullets. The load is more accurate than me.
Shot an antelope last fall at 90 yards. It never took a step.

I shoot 375 Winchester equivalent loads in my H&R 38-55 Target, Quickload estimated 60kpsi max, I'm pretty sure the High Wall is a stronger action since it's also chambered in modern high pressure chamberings so should work just as well. I dunno what the bore size of the HW is, but I have to use .380"-.381" cast in the H&R, or custom .379" jacketed. You'd have to check the chamber length, but I use Starline long 38-55 brass, 36-39gr RL7 and a 220gr JSP or 213gr Bonded @ 2200-2300fps, both custom made by a private mfr. Have also used Chey-Cast 325gr Snovers that I added gas checks to with 26.5-30.5gr RL7 for 1800fps.

Your 38-55 probably has a .377 to .378 groove diameter. The cartridge is really a .38 not a .375. Many of the older rifles actually did go up to .380 to .382 groove diameter.

If you intend to load it like an original 38-55 the velocities are not very high. You powder is also a little slow burning for that purpose.

So you need to decide what your goal with the rifle is. If you are wanting lots of performance - as in high velocities there is a different set of data.

Take a look at .375 Win data for high velocities. However you should use caution. This cannot apply to every 38-55. Such data would blow apart certain old .38-55 rifles.
I would caution you that it is a similar cartridge but the .38-55 brass is not as thick and as heavy.

A max load of 3031 will result in a full case and mild pressures because it is so slow burning. The 34 grain load you mention is either compressed or very close to it.

For high velocity Accurate 2015 or Reloader 7 both produce higher velocities.

However a 38-55 should not really be about high velocity and all that. If you want maximum performance get a bigger case.
The 38-55 is more about mild loads of powders
like 5744, 4759, 4227, 2400 and 4198 with cast bullets. The Vihta N110 appears to fall between 2400 and 4227 so it may be a very useful powder in the 38-55 except there is probably very little loading data. You data for Vihta N110 would have to be developed by yourself treating it like 2400 and increasing the load.

Let me know what kind of data you want to pursue. If it is high pressure and high velocity you have the wrong powder.

I wouldn't worry about using 38-55 brass at 375 Win pressures, Marshall Stanton of Beartooth Bullets prefers cut down 38-55 brass or 30-30 brass over 375 Win brass in Marlin 375 Win Big Bore leverguns for the extra case capacity.

http://www.shootersforum.com/l...ody-has-375-win.html

quote:

In working extensively with the .375 Winchester cartridge in my Marlin 375's, I've found that the hard cast, gas checked bullets will beat jacketed for velocity every time... and usually accuracy as well! The alloy bullet has a lower friction coefficient and a better sectional density thus making a more efficient round when loaded with the gas-checked alloy bullets.

My favorite powders for the .375 Winchester are AA # 1680, RL-7 and surplus WC680. These powders when coupled with the Beartooth .377"-250g LFNGC bullets give some very surprising performance!

Another plus for your rifle, if you are seeking top performance and saving nickels at the same time, try either cutting down some .38-55 brass, or simply fire-forming (see instructions in tips section "Foolproof Fire-forming") .30-30 brass to .375 Winchester configuration. You will gain between 5% and 8% case capacity over standard .375 Winchester brass, and beat the ũ.00 per piece of brass prices as well! Case life of fire-formed .30-30 in my .375's has been outstanding!

Hope this helps you out a little bit!

God Bless,

Marshall

I used 35 grains of IMR3031 in my Ackley-rebored M94 for years with the Speer 235 and the Hornady 220. Accuracy was okay, my bore slugs at 0.376". I don't remember what bore size Winchester used on their single shot, but I believed they used .377" bullets in loaded ammo for their old commemorative M94s back in the 80-90s.

Hey,

a short replay.
I tested some loads with the Hornady bullet and IMR-3031. The "best" is with 34grs, but at 100m not "the" best I want. An other load was with an German lead bullet from "wm-bullets". The 260grs FN-Lead molycoated bullet and 20grs N110 shoots very well at 100m.

Thanks to all for help. When the groups are tight enough, I will post pictures.

Martin

Big Bore
Have you checked the groove diameter of your barrel.
In a test in Rifle or Handloader Magazine , Mike Venturino tested a Browning and got terrific accuracy with cast bullets. His rifle had a .377 bore.

quote:

Originally posted by SR4759:
Big Bore
Have you checked the groove diameter of your barrel.
In a test in Rifle or Handloader Magazine , Mike Venturino tested a Browning and got terrific accuracy with cast bullets. His rifle had a .377 bore.

Definitely check the bore. Unlike the .375 Winchester which runs .375" groove diameter, the .38-55 varies widely.

With a High Wall made by Browning, you don't need to worry about pressures; you can load way above any pressure recommended for old rifles. I have not found 38-55 brass to be "weak" as suggested above. Especially Star line. It all depends on how fast you want to shoot it. With 3031 and jacketed bullets, I suspect you can load it full of powder with no problems. But as indicated, the 38-55 is best enjoyed at a slower pace.