38/55 Winchester

jdolso1

May 07, 2003 16:38

I bought a Marlin 38/55 for my wife. If I was to hand load what size bullets would I buy? The factory loads are 255 gr Winchesters.

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  taperloc

  May 07, 2003 17:20

  jdolso1,
  
  Barnes makes two very good .38-55 jacketed bullets, both are 255 grain. On is .375 dia. the other is .377 dia. I don't know what the Marlin barrel bore dia. is so you should check first. If you can't find out from Marlin, you should "slug" the bore and find out. My old 94 Winchester has a .379 dia bore so I have been using cast lead bullet which I size to .379. They are 249 grain. There are cast bullet companies that can supply this bullet also. With the right bullet dia. and proper powder load, (about 1650 - 1700 fps.) this cartridge will give excellent accuracy out to about 200 yards.
  I assume that you have a lever action, tube magazine rifle, so always use flat nose bullets.
  
  Taperloc

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  Sreload

  May 07, 2003 20:11

  My 336CB takes .380 cast bullet. I did use factory Win ammo to shoot a nice mule deer the day after I bought it.The rcbs Cowboy dies worked better for me, You should slug barrel for size.

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  Iroquois Scout

  May 07, 2003 20:12

  Modern Marlin's have a groove diameter of .379. Older Marlin,s can run as large as .382. I use the Barnes .379 diameter bullet if I want a jacketed bullet or a .380 diameter bullet if I am useing a cast bullet. I much prefer a cast bullet of about 280 grains in my Marlin .38-55 Cowboy.

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