A good friend just inherited an 1886 from his 91 year old uncle that he's guessing was made about 1900 in .38-56. This friend was a mentor and taught me how to hunt, shoot and reload when I was a kid so I'd really like to help him out.

It would mean the world for him to get to shoot the rifle and he doesn't have much money. Does anyone out there have a contact for loading data and components?

If anyone has dies, brass or bullets (I'm not even sure what diameter it needs) they could part with, I'd really appreciate an email or PM.

I see lots of reference for .38-55 but hardly anything for the .38-56.

Thanks,
Kyler

A couple of thoughts: By your location, you might want to talk to Dave at Harbor Gun Shop in Morro Bay, he may have some ideas for you locally.

The good folks at Buffalo Arms in Idaho offer loaded ammo in .38-56 both in smokeless and black powder, as well as loading dies, brass, bullets and a bunch of good advice if you ask 'em.

Brass is easily made from .45-70, bullets _should_ be .375-.380" diameter, but you really ought to slug the bore to find out what that particular rifle is. If it's close to .375" you will have the choice of flat nose jacketed bullets, otherwise you'll be better off sticking to lead.

Kyler: Tell your friend to buy a copy of Mike Venturino's "Shooting Lever Guns of the Old West." There's a chapter with load data, tips etc. on the .38-56. The cartridge is enjoying a renaissance among long-range BP cartridge shooters as it has the powder capacity to push very high BC lead bullets to 1,000 yards at critical velocities.

congratulations, you have a very nice rifle in a great cartridge. The 38-56 is a bottle-necked 45-70 case. I owned a HiWall some years back, and was able to form cases by using Imperial Die Sizing Wax, and gently running them into the 38-56 FL sizing die. If you are going to shoot smokeless loads, I recommend AA5744 powder and 23grains starting charge. Lyman has THE mould for it; the number is 375296. It's a 270gr gas-checked round flat nose bullet. My 30" barreled HiWall chrono'ed about 1500fps, and I worked my way up gradually to nearly 1900fps.

Enjoy that treasure...

Rich
DRSS
Knowledge not shared is knowledge lost...

I have a friend that is also a gunsmith and shoots a Marlin .38-56 a lot. His website is www.leveractions.com and I think he has a section for load data that he had Hornady test for him.

quote:

If anyone has dies, brass or bullets (I'm not even sure what diameter it needs) they could part with, I'd really appreciate an email or PM.

1. Brass....Reform 45-70 brass in several steps if you have a good die selection.
2. Dies....Lee lists them. I am sure there are at least a dozen mail order outfits that sell them for about $25.
3. Bullets...You need to slug the bore to find out what diameter is needed.

The Rifle/Handloader Magazine published a Lever Gun loads magazine that I can get loads out of when you get ready for the data.

Ed

Thanks so much for the advice (and PM Ed). I'll pass it on.

At a branding this afternoon I got to see the rifle and it has character that takes 100 years to earn.

Kyler