.38-55 Winchester Reloading

[powaybob]

A friend has a 1908 Winchester in .38-55 and asked me about reloading. (I reload, he does not.) Do any Calgunners load this? What are your favorite recipes? What is your bullet source?

[gunboat]

Older 38-55's can vary somewhat in bore size. You should slug the bore for best fit. That said often even slightly oversize bore will shoot ok with jacketed bullets.
My hi-wall prefers .379 cast boolits rather than the "standard" .375.
I use 375348, a nominal 250gr plainbase and 375296, a nominal 270gr gas check.
For general shoot'n Unique is fine about 8gr.
my tuppence

[Mikeb]

Is the rifle proofed for smokeless powder? You can always fill it with black powder.

[powaybob]

The rifle uses smokeless powder. My friend has a few boxes of ammo marked $7.95 to give you an idea of when his father bought the ammunition.

Thanks for the tips on reloading for it.

[wtkaiser]

I have a copy of Lyman 47, dated 1992, that shows a Rem. 255 jacketed FP that might still be available. Velocities range from 1200-1500 fps. With a 248 gr cast (#375248) velocities range from 900-1100. So a beanfield rifle, it ain't!

It also says, and I quote, "Many rifles chambered for this cartridge have developed excessive headspace and should no longer be used. Therefore this data ks intended only for more modern firearms such as the Winchester 94 commemorative so chambered."

So you might just think of either having it checked over by a guy who knows about these things, or hanging it on the wall.

[gunboat]

As far as I know, there is not a m1908 winchester so I presumed the weapon was likely a m94 made in 1908. As such it has a nickle steel barrel suitable for smokeless powder and modern commercial ammo.
Unless it has been shot to death there is not likely to be a headspace problem.
I belive Lymans warning is directed at very old (pre 1900) ballards, stevens and similar weapons and not win hi-walls, 94s or marlin 95s.
my tuppence