.38-55, Hard Or Soft?

I would guess lead.

For ME, it’s jacketed, but I think most of the folks who buy a .38-55 today are of a specific disposition, such they feed them an all lead diet.

If I had one, which I wish I did, lead. The old 255grn JSP was a good load out to 100yds or so.

240 grain cast RNFP. Excellent rifle and cartridge pairing.

id do cast powder coat them for pinking and maybe some paper patching for the fun.

Never been a big fan of lead or black powder, but then I own lots of leverguns but no .38-55. Still, no interest in cleaning it up and I don't have any particular fascination with being a cowboy or the Old West. Nitro powders and metal patch bullets were good innovations and I'm happy to use them.

I tried powder coat to reduce cost, and was not happy with the results.

I like soft lead(the right diameter) and low speeds, I have never recovered a lead bullet from a game animal. all have been complete pass thru,s under 100 yards. that said I have had a few older rifles with bad bores and it took jacketed bullets to get them shooting hunting accuracy.

I believe such a choice would be great. As Marlin ditched the micro groove, other mfgs can and should get a bit more' custom ' if you will, The 38- 55 is a great old cartridge, and stoked with lead projectiles adds the flavor that was origonally intended.

From all I've read, lead. The old Lyman 185 grain Loverin, I believe, is top notch. You shooting smokeless or black?

So, if a riflemaker were considering introducing a model chambered for it, it oughta be set up for lead, you think?

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I would probably shoot both lead and jacketed bullets in it but I would think that most people buying a new 38-55 lever action rifle would expect it to be able to shoot lead well and be rifled for lead...

I just bought a 38/55 in a Winchester 1885. I have only used lead and Trail Boss so far. Nice little rifle with no recoil using TB powder. Eventually like to try Black Powder in it. I have a 24x Weaver on it work up loads because I can't see well enough with the iron sights it has. I can say it drops like a stone at only about 1200 fps!

I had a Marlin 336 CB in 38-55.
.380 bullets were what you needed for this gun due to the bore diameter. .376 jacketed bullets would fire but accuracy was poor. I never found any .380 diameter jacketed bullets for it but to be honest I wasn’t really looking for any.

My favorite load was Bear Creek Supply 250 grain moly RNFP bullets over 5744 powder. Accurate load. I don’t recall the powder measurements, but if you like I can go find my recipe.

I bought a Marlin 1893 in .38-55 in about 1962. It performed best with hard cast lead and a moderate load. Can't find my records, I haven't used it since I quit CASS competition.

DPris, what are you getting at? It sounds like you’re doing a study sample for a customer for a future product.

DPris said:

There MAY be something potentially interesting in the wind, possibly, down the road, somewhere, sometime, at a particular point, to be determined.
Denis

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Lol. I thought so. Too strange a question for you to ask for there not to be something to it.

Potentially looking forward to maybe reading about the possibility in the future that’s yet to be determined.

If a manufacturer where to possibly come out with a 38-55 levergun sometime in the indeterminate future, I for one would seriously consider one! I have an 1894 and 1895 and think a 38-55 would be a neat addition. As easy to reload as the 45-70, but a bit easier on the shoulder. I would be shooting lead if one were to come out, at some time, in the future....

DPris said:

It could, conceivably, be an idea with potential merit, in association with a serious consideration there-of & regarding the possible acquisition of a less-than-old firearm in .38-55 vis-à-vis anticipations involving a high percentage of probability involved with a certain lack of disappointment in such a desire to possess.
And.....lead would be nice, huh?
Denis

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“Your honor, that post should be taken out and shot”.