38-55 conundrum

[Don McDowell]

Ok bullet officianados. 14 twist 38-55, what bullet length would be the maximum?

[longrange2]

I WOULD SAY 1.300" WOULD DO THE TRICK. vIC.

[Don McDowell]

That's sort of what I was thinking. Not much experience of any merit with the cartridge , so this is going to be something new for me. Juggling around what diameter to get the slick in also.

[Nuclearcricket]

Don, I shoot a 315 gr postel in my 15" twist 38. It is about 1.2" long. So a little faster twist you can go a bit longer. The diameter is up to you I guess. I did see on cast bullets that they are suggesting a bit faster powder so maybe FFFG would be better but I guess only time will tell.
Sam

[Don McDowell]

Really wrestling with this one. It's a Ballard, so the patched bullet is going to have to fit the bore without having to cam it in. Would like to maybe at some point be able to shoot a midrange match with it, a bullet up to 1.3 would be pretty good I think. So I'm hesitant to order up a mould just yet. The last time I messed with 38-55, Cartridge powder worked well, so I imagine about any of the OE would work in it.

[Distant Thunder]

Don,

It somewhat depends on two things, your velocity and how far you're going to shoot. I don't know what kind of velocity the .38-55 can get with BP, but 1200 fps is probably middle-ish. Then keeping in mind that I don't try to push the length to twist issue to the max here's what I believe are the lengths that should work for midrange shooting:

Bullet length for a .38-55 with a 1 in 14 ROT:

1100 fps 1.180"

1200 fps 1.230"

1300 fps 1.280"

The more you exceed these lengths the more instability you will see as the range increases and/or the winds come up, especially those nasty quartering headwinds.

Other than that, you pay your money and take your chances! Good luck.

[Don McDowell]

I'm still thinking on it Jim. Been so busy with this 77 haven't thought about much else, but I am starting to feel another order to Brooks for a dual diameter bullet coming on...

[Distant Thunder]

Don,

I knew I was coming in a little late with my thoughts on your question, but I had just gone through the same question with another shooter. I'm not a .38 caliber guy, .40 caliber starts to get interesting to me but it's the over .40s that peak my interest most.

I am very mindful of the length to twist topic and thought it a good idea to put out the numbers I recently came up with for you to and anyone else who might be working with a .38 to consider.

The question I see most often is, "What weight bullet can I shoot in a .XX - XX cartridge?". There really is more to it than weight, but you know that. Many don't!

[Don McDowell]

Yes and just because it should work doesn’t alwYs mean it’s going to work all the time
My thinking on this deal is midrange at most

[JKR]

Don,
I’ve just started work with a similar project. It’s a refined highwall, 38-55, 14 twist. Just starting to get some reasonable 5 shot groups at one and two hundred yards. I’m using grease groove bullets at this time but will go to paper patch when the rifle starts to show some color. Proper fouling control seems to be the issue at this time.
I’ll be watching for posts on your progress with great interest.
JKR