Marlin's .38-55 - Long Range Cowboy Levergun

Guns Magazine, Feb, 2000 by John Taffin

I have settled on a loading for my general use of RCBS's 250 gr. FN gas check design, #37-250FN, sized to either .377" or .379" and loaded over 33 gr. of H4895. Muzzle velocity is 1,700 fps and both shoot into 1/2" or less at 50 yards. I can't ask for anything more than that!

Some might look at the 250 gr. cast bullet at 1,700 fps and think it's not much. Compared to the .338 or .375 H&H it isn't. However, 1,700 fps with a 240 gr. bullet is standard .44 Mag. carbine performance, which no one dare say is not a good upclose hunting load for just about anything. The .38-55 does it with a flatter trajectory and deeper penetration.

Tried And True .30-30

The .30-30 Marlin Cowboy is exceptionally accurate. The heavy, stiff octagon barrel has a lot to do with this. Shooting factory loads is almost boring as everything tried grouped exceptionally well.

For the traditional hunter who understands the .30-30 and realizes it is a much better cartridge than those who prefer high velocity offerings allow, the Marlin .30-30 336 Cowboy is a grand choice for deer and black bear. In the hands of one who gets close, takes his time, and places his shot carefully, the .30-30 Cowboy will even take elk and moose.

                          Marlin 336 Performance
Load                                              Velocity  Accuracy [*]
.30-30 24" OCTAGON BARREL
Federal 170 gr. SP Hi-Shok (factory)              2,020 fps 7/8"
Hornady 150 gr. RN (factory)                      2,350 fps 5/8"
Hornady 170 gr. FP (factory)                      2,220 fps 3/4"
Remington 170 gr. Core-Lokt (factory)             2,199 fps 3/8"
Speer Nitrex 150 gr. FP (factory)                 2,310 fps 3/4"
Speer 130 gr. FP/37.0 grs. H322                   2,667 fps 3/4"
Speer 170 gr. FP/32.0 grs. H322                   2,203 fps 3/8"
Fusilier 150 gr. GC/2O.5 grs. H4895               1,365 fps 1 3/8"
Fusilier 170 gr. GC/20.5 grs. H4895               1,454 fps 1"
Fusilier 170 gr. GC/28.0 grs. H4895               2,060 fps 1 5/8"
Bull-X 170 gr. CSJ Moly/17.5 grs. H4895           1,363 fps 1"
Bull-X 170 gr. CSJ Moly/6.5 grs. Red Dot          1,244 fps 1 3/8"
.38-55 24" OCTAGON BARREL
Winchester 255 gr. SP (factory)                   1,209 fps 5/8"
RCBS #37-250FNGC Sized .377"/22.5 grs. XMP5744    1,639 fps 1"
              "             /33.0 grs. H4895      1,708 fps 3/8"
              "             /30.0 grs. Reloader-7 1,729 fps 1 1/4"
              "             /30.0 grs. H322       1,804 fps 7/8"
RCBS #37-250FNGC Sized .379"/22.5 grs. XMP5744    1,635 fps 1"
              "             /33.0 grs. H4895      1,708 fps 1/2"
              "             /30.0 grs. Reloader-7 1,758 fps 1 1/2"
              "             /30.0 grs. H322       1,800 fps 7/8"
(*.)Accuracy measurements are the result of three five-shot groups fired at
50 yards.