The goal for most is to size .001 over Grove diameter. You should be in a good place, as a small amount of sizing in the lands is good. The lube groove shouldn't be an issue as long as it functions.Ok, so I am reviving this thread rather than starting a new one, as I am exploring more options for the 38-55. I purchased some 225 grain bullets some time ago, sized at .380 to try to get a better seal. After getting a set of rcbs dies that allow me to load larger rounds, it seems that these bullets are a tad short. I believe this is because they are made for the original 2.125" casing, not the modern 2.080" casing. Now, Starline did offer a 2.125" thin wall casing, but they are unobtainable nowadays. My questions are: will the .380 lead slug be good in the .379 slugged bore? And will the exposed lube ring present a problem? See attached picture.
Thanks all!
That is what I was guessing, but I am more comfortable hearing someone else confirm it. The mockup round is all within SAAMI spec, and it feeds and ejects with no issues.The goal for most is to size .001 over Grove diameter. You should be in a good place, as a small amount of sizing in the lands is good. The lube groove shouldn't be an issue as long as it functions.
I am looking at the 4th edition and it shows all the classic lead powders, 4198, r7 and 30-31. If your striking out on those n130 or n133 are right there. N135 would also work as imr 4895 is also listed.was looking at the Lyman Cast Boolet book for 38/55
all the powder is between red dot to unique
with the .001 over bore using #2 lead mix should tighten up your grouping
I use Unique for my 32/40 with 200 gr cast and it shoots great
Mike
I believe your assessment is dead on....Thank you for the replies. I have a limited selection of powder, as the story has been going for however long now, but I have 3031 and IMR 4198. I do not have unique, but ill keep an eye peeled. I just picked up a pound of H4350 for my .270 the other day too. Supplies seem to be coming back, slowly.
I am confident in 3031 being a decent powder to use for the round. It is great in the 30-30 crowd, and 38-55 is a cousin to 30-30. 4198 is great for the 45-70, again a close relative. I think my biggest issue before was undersized rounds, not necessarily the powder.
I like having older manuals because there is stuff no longer covered. Does that one have 7.7 loads? The 4th does not.I have the Lyman 3rd edition
Mike
Can you.pm me the data.yes 7.7 Japanese
A lot of the oldies
30 rem,32rem,32/20,32/40
Mike
I am going to purchase a Henry 38-55 soon. How is the Starline shorter brass-2.080 working for you? I was wondering if I should buy the longer or shorter brass from Starline. thanksHello everyone! I am fairly new to reloading, especially compared to a lot of you veterans, and I need some advice. I have been reloading for a couple of years, and I have continually been stumped by a Henry H024 38-55. I slugged the Henry bore and found it to be exactly at SAAMI specs.
As I'm sure a lot of you are aware, the 38-55 is pretty illusive when it comes to finding load data. I have been sticking with a load that I found written by my uncle who used to hand load a lot. It's a hard cast 255 grain flat nose (acme) .378, Starline Brass case and CCI large rifle primers with 28 grains of IMR3031.
Now, it shoots, but not well. It won't group and velocities are around 900 feet per second. I have tried 26.5 grains of powder up to 30. There is no difference in accuracy and velocity doesn't change more than 50 or 100 fps.
Is 3031 too slow for this application? Should I size up the cast bullet to .379 to fill the grooves completely?
Thanks for any input.
I would always buy the longer brass. You can trim but you can't add.I am going to purchase a Henry 38-55 soon. How is the Starline shorter brass-2.080 working for you? I was wondering if I should buy the longer or shorter brass from Starline. thanks
Sorry for the ultra late reply. I'm answering more for search function at this point. The 2.080 works well in my rifle, but I did get confrimation from Henry and they stated the rifle's chamber is made to modern SAAMI specs. This means that the rifle is chambered for the modern 2.080 case length. Older rifles may not be the same.I am going to purchase a Henry 38-55 soon. How is the Starline shorter brass-2.080 working for you? I was wondering if I should buy the longer or shorter brass from Starline. thanks