38-56 load data
I am thinking of re-barreling my Ruger #3 .45-70 to .38-56, and am need of cartridge loading data in both black powder and smokeless powders. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Vet
Vet
0
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Vet, the BP portion is the easy part - the "-56" part of the cartridge name refers to the charge in the BP cartridge. I have a few references which may have some smokeless loads I can scan for you. Drop me a reminder via the private eml icon if you still need them after the 18th; I'll be away from those books until then. 0 -
Here's a couple from COTW:
255 gr. lead 36.0 Gr. IMR 3031 MV 1830 ME 1908
265 gr. lead 25.0 Gr. IMR 4198 MV 1600 ME 15120 -
I have used the .38-56 W.C.F. in both the 1886 Winchester and the 1895 Marlin. It is a very good deer and black bear cartridge and was very popular before WWII. As Iam sure you know,the case is easily formed from the .45-70 case. I use Winchester cases without the cannelure as I believe it makes a stronger case. Your choice of bullets will depend on the groove diameter of the barrel that you order. Barrels are available with groove diameters of .375,.377 and.380. .377 and .380 are the traditional sizes,while .375 will give you a better choice of jacketed bullets. Lead bullets are available in weights of 245-310gr. With jacketed bullets you are limited to bullet weights of 220 and 255gr. When you order your barrel be sure to get a twist of at lest 1 in 16 inches so that it will stabilize any weight of bullet. Don't let people talk you into a short barrel,get a barrel of at least 26 inches,you will never be sorry. A 26 inch barrel on a single shot action is shorter then a 22 inch tube on a bolt action. In my opinion Badger Barrels are the best barrels being made today,I have several and all are good. As to loads,you will not be able to get 56 grains of black powder in a modern formed case because the modern case has less internal space. Load enough black powder so that when you seat the bullet and wads the powder is compressed about 1/8 of an inch. For smokeless loads use any load listed for the .38-55 Winchester. If you use black powder you are limited to the lead bullets because jacketed bullets don't carry any lube to keep the black powder fouling soft. Even with lead bullets with multiple lub rings you should also load a lub "cookie" under the bullet. If I were doing this I would build a fully tricked out Schuetzen rifle for 200 meter offhand shooting useing a 32 inch barrel throated to handle the 310gr. bullet seated well out,Schuetzen stock,mid range vernier tang sight and wind gauge globe front sight. What ever you decide to do I wish you the best of luck with your rifle. 0
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