38-55 Hard Cast questions

4308 Views 6 Replies 7 Participants Last post by JBledsoe, Nov 20, 2010

Nathaniel

Discussion Starter · Nov 19, 2010

I’d like to ask a little advice and input – here goes:
My Father’s fine old Winchester M1894 is circa 1918, (I ran the serial number). It is in 38-55 and shoots the Winchester factory 255 grain loads, (the bullets of which I milked at .377), very well. Given that, it is logical to assume that .377 is the proper groove diameter, correct? (I haven’t yet tried slugging the bore & given the prior statements, I feel that in this case it may not be necessary, right?)
I just ordered some hard cast Hunter’s Supply 260 grain .376 diameter (Brinnel hardness 15) pre lubed bullets. I also ordered some Barnes Original .377 bullets in case the old rifle just flat doesn’t like the hard cast slugs.
My questions are: 1) Do you learned folks think these hard cast (advertised as rated to 1600 FPS without gas checks) will perform in the no-bore-leading category as long as I hold velocities at or below 1600 FPS? And 2) [grass roots logic here] since many white tails are taken with jacketed, expanding .223 and .25 caliber bullets that probably expand to around the unexpanded diameter of he 38-55 slugs, is it commonly deemed ethical to use hard cast slugs in the 38-55 to hunt deer, (given reasonable ranges and careful shot placement)? Your advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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JBledsoe

· #7 · Nov 20, 2010

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.376 or .377 bullets are NOT going to do the job. I'll bet you need a .380 cast bullet and larger if it will chamber. I shoot LaserCast .380 cast bullets in my 38-55 over 30 grs. of 3031 powder. Go to You Tube and search on JB vs 400 to see how accurate they are. It show shooting the 400 yard metal plate.

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