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BPCR - .38-55

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 1:53 pm
by bucksnort
I'd like some suggestions on bullets most suitable for BPCR shooting in a .38-55. There are a lot of bullet profiles out there, I'd like some ideas on where to start. Thanks.

Re: BPCR - .38-55

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 3:56 pm
by beltfed
bucksnort,
PLease start with what is the twist of your barrel.
Then we can talk about what bullets might work out for you.
Tentatively, the LYman 335 grain "mini postell" bullet may work as a good starting point GG bullet.
beltfed/arnie-

Re: BPCR - .38-55

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 4:13 pm
by art ruggiero
i second the lyman bullet art

Re: BPCR - .38-55

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 4:57 pm
by bucksnort
My thoughts are to go with a CPA, Silhouette rifle. At order time, you can specify brand/length/twist. I go along with the heavier bullet thought.

Re: BPCR - .38-55

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2021 7:33 pm
by bpcr shooter
1-10 or 1-11 twist should be just fine for 300+gr bullets

matt

Re: BPCR - .38-55

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2021 1:55 am
by bucksnort
Thank you, Matt.

Re: BPCR - .38-55

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 12:44 pm
by beltfed
Bucksnort,
For your intent to go with 38-55 chambering,
You have a relatively low capacity for powder. ( 45-maybe 50 gr depending on bullet used)
I suggest a 12 twist, since you will not be able to take advantage
of the 10 or 11 twist that would mainly help with real heavy bullets.

ON THE OTHER HAND, if you were to go with a 38-50 Rem Hep chamber---
My 10 twist 38-50 RH boosts a 360 grain DDEPP bullet to 1361fps from my 30 inch barrel.
I am really liking this rifle/chambering. Easy to shoot, and I am coming to believe this
case capacity of the 38-50 (66-67 gr Swiss 1.5 or 3f) is near perfect for 38 cal BP loading
The cases are easily made by necking up and trimming and fire forming 30-40 Krag brass .
beltfed/arnie

Re: BPCR - .38-55

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2021 6:41 pm
by bucksnort
Does Shiloh chamber for the long (2.125") or the shorter (2.080") 38-55? Or do you have your pick?

Re: BPCR - .38-55

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 2:03 pm
by John Boy
Was an article in BPC News about 2010 that was about the Greenhill formula for BPCR’s. In the table it identified the best twist at 17.8 was the Ideal 375166, 320gr Scare mold but through a Lyman dealer and John Kort, we sent the bullet dimensions to Lyman and they cut 20 molds for a group buy. Ran the Powley Calculator on the bullet and came back with the rating of 4.5 out of max of 5 for stability. Twist was dead nuts 18. Ran the Cx with different powder charges and high stability from 14 to 18 twist
Off to the range ... MOA, 100 to 300 yds with 42gr KIK 2F ... Later was at Ridgway with 50 rounds. Shot all consecutively with no patching or tubing from 500 meters back to 200m with minimal change of settings written in my log with accurate hits on the steel. Three water cotton balls and 2 dry that were almost color of snow.
Sent a couple of bullets to Tom at Accurate Molds and it is in his catalog as “Clone of Ideal 375166”. You can have diameter changed on order to fit your rifle
It is my go to 38-55 bullet

Re: BPCR - .38-55

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 2:53 pm
by John Boy
bucksnort, the other mold you may want to buy if you decide to breach seat the 38-55 is the Lyman 375272 ...
This is the famous Schuetzen bullet designed by Dr. W. G. Hudson, which gives such remarkable accuracy in .38-55 rifles which have been specially throated for it, the bullet being loaded into the bore ahead of the case. 5 bands, front three bands .372, bottom two bands .382 (PB, FN, 310 – TP 449)


http://ps-2.kev009.com/ohland/Cast_Bull ... 2_310g.gif

It too is in the Accurate Mold catalog as "Clone of 375272"

Re: BPCR - .38-55

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2021 3:31 pm
by bucksnort
John Boy,

I shoot a .32-20 CPA now, so I am familiar with breech-seating. The .38-55 I'm considering will be for fixed BP ammo. It will be a 'fun gun' to shoot, not so much for competition. If I do try silhouette, the heavier bullets should be able to handle all chickens, pigs, turkeys, & rams. Ed

Re: BPCR - .38-55

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2021 12:08 pm
by Nuclearcricket
I have a Badger 15" twist on my CPA 38-55 and it shoots a 315 NEI postel very well. I also have shot a 300 gr tapered bullet from a Hoch nose pour mold. With just a tossed together load it easily went 10 for 10 on the pigs.
Sam