38-55 Win == Favorite Loads

Turnerm66 · March 18, 2008, 03:28 PM

I'm getting ready to start loading 38-55 Win and am looking for some advice & favorite loads. I plan on loading practice loads only: Hard Cast bullets, Mid Velocity and want an Accurate load There is not alot of data out there for this cartridge and would like your input. I have a vintage Marlin Model 1893 Takedown (made in 1900), built for Smokeless Powder, that is in mint condition and want to shoot it some. I have had people tell me that I'm crazy and should hang it on the wall....but it was made to shoot and I want to enjoy it...more than just looking at it. Resale value means nothing to me since it's a family hand down and would never be sold anyway. If possible I would like to get away w/ 1 or 2 powders. Thanks !

Primered · March 18, 2008, 08:00 PM

The first thing anyone will tell you about a .38-55 and a lot of other lever guns is to slug the bore before you invest in bullets. Talk to the folks at this forum:
http://www.marlinowners.com/ and at this forum: http://www.levergunscommunity.com/ I learned a bunch from them-they live and breathe lever guns in these forums.

Good luck.

Turnerm66 · March 19, 2008, 07:07 AM

Primered, Thanks for the leeds...I'll check them out

**Mike Irwin** · March 19, 2008, 04:00 PM

I'm hearing some very good things from .38-55 and .32-40 shooters about Trail Boss.

I use it in .44 Special and am VERY happy with it.

March 18, 2008, 03:28 PM	#1
Turnerm66 Member Join Date: January 26, 2008 Location: Marcellus NY Posts: 20	38-55 Win == Favorite Loads I'm getting ready to start loading 38-55 Win and am looking for some advice & favorite loads. I plan on loading practice loads only: Hard Cast bullets, Mid Velocity and want an Accurate load There is not alot of data out there for this cartridge and would like your input. I have a vintage Marlin Model 1893 Takedown (made in 1900), built for Smokeless Powder, that is in mint condition and want to shoot it some. I have had people tell me that I'm crazy and should hang it on the wall....but it was made to shoot and I want to enjoy it...more than just looking at it. Resale value means nothing to me since it's a family hand down and would never be sold anyway. If possible I would like to get away w/ 1 or 2 powders. Thanks !

March 19, 2008, 04:00 PM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	I'm hearing some very good things from .38-55 and .32-40 shooters about Trail Boss. I use it in .44 Special and am VERY happy with it. __________________ "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.

March 18, 2008, 08:00 PM	#2
Primered Member Join Date: September 24, 2002 Location: SW Kansas Posts: 41	The first thing anyone will tell you about a .38-55 and a lot of other lever guns is to slug the bore before you invest in bullets. Talk to the folks at this forum: http://www.marlinowners.com/ and at this forum: http://www.levergunscommunity.com/ I learned a bunch from them-they live and breathe lever guns in these forums. Good luck.

March 19, 2008, 07:07 AM	#3
Turnerm66 Member Join Date: January 26, 2008 Location: Marcellus NY Posts: 20	Primered, Thanks for the leeds...I'll check them out