Avatar
Search
Forum Scope




Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon
Correct brass length ?
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 38
Member Since:
July 16, 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
December 5, 2016 - 11:26 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

What length brass did they use back in the day. I have a Model 1894, 38-55 made in 1901. Would they have used the 2.080 or 2.125 ? Also what temper were their lead bullets. As in 25-1, 30-1, 40-1, etc. Thanks, Dale.

35th Security Police Squadron, Phan Rang AB, RVN, May 70-71.

All gave some, some gave all.

Avatar
New Mexico
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 1167
Member Since:
December 1, 2012
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
December 5, 2016 - 11:44 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

The correct brass length for all 38-55 W.C.F. prior to about 1980 is 2.129″.  The quality modern replica manufacturers (like C. Sharps) still chamber for the correct original Winchester specs.

Here’s a good report from Starline Brass:

http://www.starlinebrass.com/articles/Loading-with-Correct-38-55-Cases/

1876-4-1.jpg

"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend." 

Avatar
Northern edge of the D/FW Metromess
Member
WACA Member
Forum Posts: 4970
Member Since:
November 7, 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
December 6, 2016 - 3:03 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I’ve had good results with the 2.125 cases from a recent run of Starline brass, I understand they did another run in the past several weeks so they should be available.

Your alloy choice depends on the velocity you are looking for, the powder you intend to load and the purpose of your loads. If you want to shoot BP loads I’d suggest 16-1 or 20-1. Smokeless plinking loads can be assembled using wheelweights and hunting loads WW’s softened with varying amounts of pure lead. One popular recipe is 50/50 WW’s and pure lead. Probably more important than alloy is the correct bullet diameter. Most of the older rifles prefer .380-381 and some of the newer ones may prefer .377. IIRC the article linked above touches on that variable as well.

Don’t try to hot-rod this cartridge using 375 Winchester loads. It’s a fine old cartridge in it’s own right.

Life Member TSRA, Endowment Member NRA
BBHC Member, TGCA Member
Smokeless powder is a passing fad! -Steve Garbe
I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it. -Woodrow F. Call, Lonesome Dove
Some of my favorite recipes start out with a handful of depleted counterbalance devices.-TXGunNut
Presbyopia be damned, I'm going to shoot this thing! -TXGunNut
Avatar
Member
WACA Guest
Forum Posts: 38
Member Since:
July 16, 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
December 6, 2016 - 11:12 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thanks to Wincacher and TXGunNut for the info I needed. Dale.

35th Security Police Squadron, Phan Rang AB, RVN, May 70-71.

All gave some, some gave all.

Forum Timezone: UTC 0
Most Users Ever Online: 778
Currently Online: Bert H., deerhunter, freebird1968
Guest(s) 159
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
clarence: 6281
TXGunNut: 4970
Chuck: 4571
1873man: 4282
steve004: 4160
Big Larry: 2324
twobit: 2291
TR: 1710
mrcvs: 1706
Forum Stats:
Groups: 1
Forums: 17
Topics: 12650
Posts: 109995

 

Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1745
Members: 8791
Moderators: 4
Admins: 3
Navigation