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.38-56

WWllVetWWllVet Member Posts: 1,493 ✭✭✭✭✭
I have had my # 3 Ruger .45-70 re-barreled with a Douglas Supreme 25.5 inch barrel with a 1 in 12 twist rate and chambered in .38-56 WCF. My loading in re-formed Remington brass, using Federal 210 primers and 255 gr. flat nosed lead bullets is Ken Waters load of 37 grs. IMR 4895 with no crimp. It shoots well and is very comfortable to shoot. I don't have a crono. so I don't know what velocity I am getting. My question is. how much heavier can I load this without endangering anything?

Vet.

Comments

  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm using calculated data.
    SAMMI spec for the 38-56 is 32,000 PSI
    That load calculates out to 40,275 PSI

    The one thing in your favor is that your Ruger will handle it, but anyone else using that data (in a origional firearm) might be in for a little surprise.


    Whittemore
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
  • shooter93shooter93 Member Posts: 322 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i'm just curious tailgunner1954...is that calculation of his pressure from Quick load? I wouldn't tell him anything different but I've found a lot of wrong pressures using Quick load. Theses were found by actual pressure testing. One example is the load for my Double rifle. It is well below the original factory pressures but Quick load shows it as high enough to take the gun apart. Also...if I'm not prying I often ask about people's nick's. Were you a tailgunner? My Father was a highly decorated WW@ vet who was a B-17 Tailgunner. Thanks.
    Scott
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Program used was Accuload, and calculations had to be done with only a little information. Any of the programs predict/respond better/closer when "tunned" with actual data points, instead of using "default" values.
    Ken Waters used his sense of touch (on the micrometer) to determine when a load was excessive, the problem being that the area he is measuring ("pressure ring") dosn't respond well in these low pressure cartridges, and even in the high pressure ones, it's repeatability is quite poor.

    Nick comes from a Texas heart shot (but I also like the triple entendar it provides), year of birth was 1954.

    Whittemore
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
  • WWllVetWWllVet Member Posts: 1,493 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    As I said, this is Ken Waters load data from his suppliment "For the Old Ones". Also my fired cases show no signs of stress and no flattened primers. Also as stated, it shoots very comfortably. Less kick than my M-1 Garand.

    Vet
  • shooter93shooter93 Member Posts: 322 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well...it's like this....It's very hard to give out such information without knowing all the factors involved here. If someone gives you a load that is over the top then there could be a lot of trouble. I've done extensive work with N0.1's. They are very strong and I've used loads that I would never publish in a forum but I also have pressure testing equipment. About all you can do or anyone would recommend is to creep up slowly with your loads and watch for typical pressure signs. If the lever is ever hard to open or you have hard extraction you have gone a bit too far already and need to back up.
  • WWllVetWWllVet Member Posts: 1,493 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    O/K. What would be an equivelent of the IMR 4895 using V/V N133 ? or N140 ? or even 3N37 ?

    Vet
  • WWllVetWWllVet Member Posts: 1,493 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Tailgunner1954
    I'm using calculated data.
    SAMMI spec for the 38-56 is 32,000 PSI
    That load calculates out to 40,275 PSI

    The one thing in your favor is that your Ruger will handle it, but anyone else using that data (in a origional firearm) might be in for a little surprise.


    Not completely true... I own an original Winchester Model 1885 high-wall chambered for 38-56, and it will easily digest that load. However, I would be real cautious about using it in an original Winchester Model 1886 though.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a WINCHESTER Single-Shot!

    WACA Historian & Life Member

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