38/55 brass for a Ballard.

[Ironramrod]

Another question if you guys don't mind. What do you recommend for loading dies, and bullet moulds. Thanks in advance again.
Regards
IR

[Don McDowell]

I used the RCBS dies and the lyman 300 gr bullet when I had the Uberti highway, and I believe my neighbor with the Cody Ballard 38-55 is using RCBS dies, and along with the lyman bullet an older Ideal 255 gr. fp .

[Ironramrod]

Sgt. I got ahold of my brother on this end, and he found the serial # C88D. That sounds close enough to me that the stats you mentioned on your rifle are likely close enough to equal to make a few assumptions and be close; at least get started. Thanks for the info. I'm sure that any info that's available from anyone will be well accepted.

Regards
IR

[Hiwall55]

My older 38-55 CPA has a 13.25 twist Badger barrel and I use lyman dies and starline and Winchester 2.125 length brass. It likes 330 grain Mos snover bullet and a BACO 360 grain Money with 2 reduced front bands and I use 1.5 Swiss for powder.
I should shoot it more or get rid of it but it shoots so good I can't let it go.

[Ironramrod]

Another question guys, if I'm not wearing you out. What do you guys using black powder in your 38/55; how do you clean your brass. I use a Thumlers Tumbler on my .40 and .45 calibers, but would definitely would need smaller "gravel" on 38/55 brass. Your thoughts, if you would.

Also, do any of you guys shoot smokeless powder in your .38/55 cartridges and how do you like it. I shoot H4198 in one of my .45/70 rifles w/ an LBT hard cast flat nose 409 gr.bullet. An excellent shooter.

Thanks again for you thoughts and ideas.

Regards
IR

[Nuclearcricket]

I use the small "gravel" from http://arizonasharpshooters.com/1701.html. I run it also in a Thumlers Tumbler. For powder I used CTG grade Goex. 47gr is a good load. My rifle is a 15" twist Badger barrel. The only smokeless that has been through my rifle is the 20 factory rounds I fired to break in the barrel. After that it has all been lead and black. As mentioned earlier the 2 bullets I have used are the Hoch Tapered and the NEI postel. I don't know enough about the current operations at NEI to recommend their molds any more. I am sure that there are other molds of that style that are just as good if not better on the market. I have also picked up one of the standard Lyman molds, I ran across an old one that was still new and grabbed it right up. I have not shot it yet but am sure it will shoot well and would be a good 200 yard bullet.
I have a mid range rear sight on my rifle and that has enough elevation that I can get out to 1000 yards with it. The day I did that, I was just playing around shooting off a bench with my elbows, not the best set up but the bullets did get out there.
The 38-55 is a nice all around ctg. It will not beat you up and it will do a good job on silhouette targets. The 315 postel may leave a ram stand every once in a while, it has happened to me but I just figure thats the risk you run.
As to dies, RCBS is a good choice, but for the most part I think it is what ever brand you prefer. I think that they are all good.
Sam

[mikeg]

To add my 2 cents, have a couple of 38-55s, primary is a Stevens use crushed walnut shells in a vibrator for cleaning, run smokless and bp at the same speed and also run duplex, Swiss 1 1/2, IMR 4227, 4759 powder, 14" twist with a 310gr Hoch mould, Starline short brass. ringing steel plates 12" to 18" out to 500yrds, I'am happy.