OT- Load info for 38-55 and 45-70

[505stevec]

This may be a dumb question but:

What is your favorite load for 38-55 and 45-70. I am starting to reload and need an idea on what is the best load for each.

My 45-70s are Pedersoli Sharps, Browning 1886, and H&R Springfield Trapdoor Carbine.

My 38-55 is a Winchester 94 (Crazy Horse Commemorative)

I know the 45-70s cover a wide variety of firearm but please list your favorite for any of them. Thanks for all your help.

[colo native]

It would be wise to invest in a good reloading manual first, then ask questions about loads. I for one would answer questions about loads but will not give powder and grains out.. And yes I load for these and about 50 more...

[longarm4146]

I'd first slug the barrels to determine proper bullet size and then I'd look at some Accurate data using 5744......works well in both calibers......

[2ndovc]

My favorite 45-70 load is 42 gr Varget and 405 LSWCGC... Browning '86 and Marlin LTD-III.

My Grandfather's 100 yr old Winchester 94 likes 24 grains IMR 4198 and a Barnes .377/ 255 gr sp.
If I try to hot rod the 38-55 groups go from less than 2" at 100 yds to 4-5"
It'll shoot the old Imperial 255 sp's into a 5 shot cloverleaf at 100 yds. !!


jb

[505stevec]

I do have a Lyman Manual and Hornady Manual I am just wondering what works good for you all. I have read here about "slugging" a barrel I guess I dont really understand the necessity. Please explain.

[2ndovc]

Bore diameters can vary greatly for some cartridges. Especially the 38-55. Bullets for the 38-55 are usually .377 or higher. Slugging the bore can show you where to start when selecting a bullet.

I recently purchased a Win. 94 in .45 Colt and the first time I took it to the range I was really dissapointed in the accuracy. later iit dawned on me that I was shooting .452s. Sluging the bore with a Hornady .454 round ball that came out about .453+ showed me that I needed to be shooting .454 bullets in the Winchester.
Loading the proper size bullets in the Winny gave me 1-1/2" groups down from 4-5".


Hope that helps!!


jb

[Sixgun]

I do have a Lyman Manual and Hornady Manual I am just wondering what works good for you all. I have read here about "slugging" a barrel I guess I dont really understand the necessity. Please explain.

The slugging of your barrel is explained in the Lyman manual. It all breaks down to pounding a soft lead ball, that is slightly oversize for your gun, down the barrel and then measuring it. Then you size your bullet to that diameter or a thou. over. Guns are very mechanical and demand that the bullet fits the bore. This usually only pertains to cast bullets as jacketed bullets are pretty much standardized by the industry.

A good safe 45-70 load and one that I use in original 1886's and Trapdoors (in excellent shooting condition) is 28 grains of 5744 with a 385-405 grain cast bullet, sized .459. It chronos about 1300. My favorite 38-55 load is 21 grains of 5744 with a 255 grain cast bullet, sized either .377 or .379 (according to the rifle I am shooting it in). This load is about 1350 and is NOT safe in early Ballards or 1881 Marlins---only safe in leverguns & single shots designed for smokeless powder.------------------------Sixgun

[44LVR]

In the 38-55 I like 31 1/2 grains of 3031 with a 275gr cast bullet sized .379.

In the 45-70 I like 42 grains 3031 with a 420gr cast bullet sized .459.

44

[505stevec]

Thanks for the help! I will definitely slug all of these rifles as I plan on shooting lead only through all of them.