.38-55 reloading?

[hickok45]

Anybody load for the .38-55? I was thinking about making one of the Marlin Cowbody models in this caliber my own. What powder and bullets do you who have taken this plunge use?

I reload and shoot a lot of .45 Colt and .45-70. Not sure why I "need" another old time caliber to shoot and reload for, but you know how it is. This little cartidge seems like it would be pretty cool to shoot and reload.

 

[Bill Mitchell]

Howdy,

A friend of mine had one of those 38-55 Marlins. He tried for awhile to get it to shoot a decent group, but couldn't. Turns out that the bore was oversized. So, before you buy bullets, slug the bore and find out what size bullets you need.

Bellicose Bill

 

[kdp]

reloading 38-55

G.Glock:

there is a world of wonders in the 38-55 if ya got the time to reload for it. It is capable of extreme accuracy and you can shoot it all day without punishing yourself. I had an original Stevens Model 44 that had been rebored to 38-55 I shot for 15 years. It finally stretched out too far. The improved Model 44-1/2 is acutally capable of handling the modest pressures. Factory loads are quite light. Current issue of "Black Powder Cartridge News" has a great article out to 1000 yards on this caliber.

Many bores require a bit over the nominal .377-.379 specs. I found mild smokeless loads with lead 240 grain would provide popcan size accuracy out to 100yds with open buckhorn sights and my deteriorating peepers thru a light single shot carbine. It would be a wonderful companion to yer 45-70. Good luck.