Howdy all. Long time lurker here, first time poster. I picked up an Oliver Winchester 1894 in 38-55 this last weekend, and I'm looking to start loading for it. I've got some plain-based 260 grain cast bullets and a canister of IMR 3031, a powder which I've heard can be quite effective in this caliber.
However, I've been unable to find quite what I'm looking for as far as load data goes. The closest I've been able to find to my exact situation is from Lyman, which suggested a charge between 31 and 35+ grains of 3031 for a 249 grain bullet. After some further research, this seems to be rather stout, regardless of the bullet used, but I would guess certainly far too stout with the heavier 260 grain bullet. I'm not looking to make hunting rounds here, just some fun plinking ammo. I don't really need speeds over 1300 FPS. I did find one person online suggest that 28 grains behind a 265 grain bullet would push it over 1500 FPS, so I'm thinking I need to start lower than that.
I do wonder after a bit of scouring the internet whether 4198 would have been a better choice for what I'm after, although still I have the issue of being unable to find data using a 260 grain bullet, and I'd certainly like to use the powder I've already got if at all possible.
One other thing I've noticed is a bit of variation in suggested OAL - I've seen everything between 2.500" and 2.550" mentioned, while I'm guessing the latter is probably what I'm after.
I'd just be grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction on this, or even better yet if any of y'all have some experience using this powder for 38-55.
However, I've been unable to find quite what I'm looking for as far as load data goes. The closest I've been able to find to my exact situation is from Lyman, which suggested a charge between 31 and 35+ grains of 3031 for a 249 grain bullet. After some further research, this seems to be rather stout, regardless of the bullet used, but I would guess certainly far too stout with the heavier 260 grain bullet. I'm not looking to make hunting rounds here, just some fun plinking ammo. I don't really need speeds over 1300 FPS. I did find one person online suggest that 28 grains behind a 265 grain bullet would push it over 1500 FPS, so I'm thinking I need to start lower than that.
I do wonder after a bit of scouring the internet whether 4198 would have been a better choice for what I'm after, although still I have the issue of being unable to find data using a 260 grain bullet, and I'd certainly like to use the powder I've already got if at all possible.
One other thing I've noticed is a bit of variation in suggested OAL - I've seen everything between 2.500" and 2.550" mentioned, while I'm guessing the latter is probably what I'm after.
I'd just be grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction on this, or even better yet if any of y'all have some experience using this powder for 38-55.