reloading 38-55 wcf

ssgt blaine · July 18, 2010, 05:52 PM

heloo everyone. im new to this site and fairly new to reloading. my grandfather recently gave me his fathers rifle, a winchester model 94 38-55 manufactured in 1928, and its in great condition. i decided to reload for this rifle for 3 main reasons. 1 the availiblity of ammo around me is very scarce. 2 the price is about $2 a round. and 3 from the research ive done on the rifle, ive found its not good to shoot jacketed rounds through it being that its pre world war2 era rifle. i own a lee challenger breech lock press and i purchased some rcbs cowboy dies in 38-55. my problem seems to be with the expanding die (.379). it always seems to bulge out to one side. i know that too much lube can cause this, but it does it even without the cases being lubed. ive tried it on once fired winchester brass from factory round, and virgin winchester brass with the same results. im not sure whether its operator error or the die itself. i have a mountain of other questions about reloading this caliber because i cant find alot of information on the web about it. if someone with some experience with this caliber can pass along some of their wisdom, it would be greatly appreciated.

Loader9 · July 18, 2010, 06:48 PM

I've got a few 38-55's. The first thing you really need to do is have the bore slugged to find the exact diameter. There is a fairly wide variation in the factory barrel diameter. You may need bullets of .376 .377, .378, or.379 diameter for it to shoot as good as possible. Most of mine shoot the .377 and I guess if you just wanted to start somewhere, that's as good a place as any. I shoot mostly Beartooth Bullets with a gas check in 255 gr. Groups at under an inch at 100 yds is fairly common. You'll need to stick with the faster burning powders like 4198, RE7 4895, etc. From a 1930's Western Ammunition book straight from Ad Topperweins store in San Antonio, the factory specs had a 255 gr bullet at 1320'ps. While you can load faster, why do it? You're gonna love the 38-55.
FWIW, you can also buy Barnes jacketed bullets made specifically for the 38-55. They come in .375 and .377 diameters if ya just wanna hunt with it using a jacketed bullet.
http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm

**Mike Irwin** · July 19, 2010, 09:08 AM

A couple people I know are shooting Trail Boss in their .38-55s, loaded with lead, and reporting excellent results.

I've always wanted a Savage 99 in .38-55, but man they are spendy when I can find one.

A 1928 version of the .38-55 should be able to take some jacketed bullets without too much trouble; Winchester started using the new nickel steel and better heat treating for all of their guns by that time, I believe.

Where you can really get into trouble is with the 1873s and 1886s and jacketed bullets.

COSteve · July 19, 2010, 11:58 AM

Give a look over at Leverguns.com. They have tons of people who have old Winchesters like your 38-55 and they'll be more than happy to help you out with both black powder and smokeless powder loads for it be they lead or jacketed, heavy or light. But be prepared to post a few pictures of your great grandfather's rifle cause they love the old leverguns over there.

Scorch · July 19, 2010, 02:38 PM

Trail Boss powder should be a very good option for the 38-55, IMR 4198 or IMR3031 would be a more common choice for loading it to its full potential. The Lyman reloading manual has loading info for this cartridge. I recommend you use gas-checked lead bullets or cast your own linotype bullets.

ssgt blaine · July 21, 2010, 06:00 PM

thanks everyone for the great information. i plan on making my way over to leverguns.com to inquire more about my rifle. i dont get that much time to myself because of work and the family. im gonna post a couple of pictures of my model 94. please excuse some of the background, it is my only personal space that my fiance doesnt venture into.

ssgt blaine · July 21, 2010, 06:09 PM

IMG_1843.jpg this is a picture of the case bulge. not sure why its happening. i know its not a great picture. but the bulge is clearly visible to the naked eye, not a .001 or 2.

**Mike Irwin** · July 21, 2010, 11:44 PM

Blain,

We're a family forum. Please crop your photo of the gun so that there aren't topless women visible in the background.

Thanks.

As for the case bulge, a bulge is an indication of a damaged chamber.

bullspotter · July 22, 2010, 12:23 AM

I would think that something may be out of alighnment on your press maybe, Could also need a good cleaning, maybe the die itself is out of center. Maybe take the expander out of the die and roll it on a piece of glass and make sure its streight. Make sure the shell holder and notches it fits into on the press are not gunked up. Dose it always bulge on the same side of the case? like always one side, or to the back or front of the press? Or is it random?

July 18, 2010, 05:52 PM	#1
ssgt blaine Junior Member Join Date: July 5, 2010 Posts: 3	reloading 38-55 wcf heloo everyone. im new to this site and fairly new to reloading. my grandfather recently gave me his fathers rifle, a winchester model 94 38-55 manufactured in 1928, and its in great condition. i decided to reload for this rifle for 3 main reasons. 1 the availiblity of ammo around me is very scarce. 2 the price is about $2 a round. and 3 from the research ive done on the rifle, ive found its not good to shoot jacketed rounds through it being that its pre world war2 era rifle. i own a lee challenger breech lock press and i purchased some rcbs cowboy dies in 38-55. my problem seems to be with the expanding die (.379). it always seems to bulge out to one side. i know that too much lube can cause this, but it does it even without the cases being lubed. ive tried it on once fired winchester brass from factory round, and virgin winchester brass with the same results. im not sure whether its operator error or the die itself. i have a mountain of other questions about reloading this caliber because i cant find alot of information on the web about it. if someone with some experience with this caliber can pass along some of their wisdom, it would be greatly appreciated.

July 19, 2010, 09:08 AM	#3
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	A couple people I know are shooting Trail Boss in their .38-55s, loaded with lead, and reporting excellent results. I've always wanted a Savage 99 in .38-55, but man they are spendy when I can find one. A 1928 version of the .38-55 should be able to take some jacketed bullets without too much trouble; Winchester started using the new nickel steel and better heat treating for all of their guns by that time, I believe. Where you can really get into trouble is with the 1873s and 1886s and jacketed bullets. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 19, 2010, 02:38 PM	#5
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Trail Boss powder should be a very good option for the 38-55, IMR 4198 or IMR3031 would be a more common choice for loading it to its full potential. The Lyman reloading manual has loading info for this cartridge. I recommend you use gas-checked lead bullets or cast your own linotype bullets. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 21, 2010, 11:44 PM	#8
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	Blain, We're a family forum. Please crop your photo of the gun so that there aren't topless women visible in the background. Thanks. As for the case bulge, a bulge is an indication of a damaged chamber. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

July 18, 2010, 06:48 PM	#2
Loader9 Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 949	I've got a few 38-55's. The first thing you really need to do is have the bore slugged to find the exact diameter. There is a fairly wide variation in the factory barrel diameter. You may need bullets of .376 .377, .378, or.379 diameter for it to shoot as good as possible. Most of mine shoot the .377 and I guess if you just wanted to start somewhere, that's as good a place as any. I shoot mostly Beartooth Bullets with a gas check in 255 gr. Groups at under an inch at 100 yds is fairly common. You'll need to stick with the faster burning powders like 4198, RE7 4895, etc. From a 1930's Western Ammunition book straight from Ad Topperweins store in San Antonio, the factory specs had a 255 gr bullet at 1320'ps. While you can load faster, why do it? You're gonna love the 38-55. FWIW, you can also buy Barnes jacketed bullets made specifically for the 38-55. They come in .375 and .377 diameters if ya just wanna hunt with it using a jacketed bullet. http://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm

July 19, 2010, 11:58 AM	#4
COSteve Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2009 Posts: 1,344	Give a look over at Leverguns.com. They have tons of people who have old Winchesters like your 38-55 and they'll be more than happy to help you out with both black powder and smokeless powder loads for it be they lead or jacketed, heavy or light. But be prepared to post a few pictures of your great grandfather's rifle cause they love the old leverguns over there.

July 21, 2010, 06:00 PM	#6
ssgt blaine Junior Member Join Date: July 5, 2010 Posts: 3	thanks everyone for the great information. i plan on making my way over to leverguns.com to inquire more about my rifle. i dont get that much time to myself because of work and the family. im gonna post a couple of pictures of my model 94. please excuse some of the background, it is my only personal space that my fiance doesnt venture into.

July 21, 2010, 06:09 PM	#7
ssgt blaine Junior Member Join Date: July 5, 2010 Posts: 3	IMG_1843.jpg this is a picture of the case bulge. not sure why its happening. i know its not a great picture. but the bulge is clearly visible to the naked eye, not a .001 or 2.

July 22, 2010, 12:23 AM	#9
bullspotter Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2008 Location: Montana Posts: 308	I would think that something may be out of alighnment on your press maybe, Could also need a good cleaning, maybe the die itself is out of center. Maybe take the expander out of the die and roll it on a piece of glass and make sure its streight. Make sure the shell holder and notches it fits into on the press are not gunked up. Dose it always bulge on the same side of the case? like always one side, or to the back or front of the press? Or is it random?