38-55 and 700x

[bigbossman]

I have a Winchester 1894 on the way, chambered in 38-55. A good friend has a vintage Marlin in the same caliber, and uses the standard 10gr of Unique with great success.

I have a ton of 700x on-hand, and was wondering if anyone has done any reloading for this caliber with 700x. I can always go buy some Unique or 2400, but since I'm sitting on a huge supply of 700x it got me to wondering.......

[Dark Hunt]

700X is a lot faster burning than Unique. Most load data for the 38-55 starts with Unique as the fastest burning powder and then goes to rifle powders.

[Bumslie]

Lyman cast bullet #2



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[bigbossman]

Bumslie - You Da Man.

[russ69]

Extremely reduced loads with fast powders are common, or maybe I should say were common. There were some issues with detonation (uncontrolled burning) and it is thought to be problematical today and unresolved. Personally I wouldn't do it. I would use a powder that has some bulk, use the lowest recommended charge weight (not less), and fill the void with cotton wad if needed.
The 38-55 is a blackpowder cartridge and has way more case capacity than can be used with smokeless powders. I would use Hodgdon triple seven blackpowder substitute, for a good smoke show.

[elk hunter]

Trailboss might be useful.

[Cypriss32]