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Thanks, I was hoping you'd reply Gitano. You helped me out good on my 8x56R Steyr and I won't forget it, saved me a lot of time. My Marlin is a new produced "Cowboy" model so yes it's strong enough. Well if it'll do it (2000fps) that's a good thing to have in my mind, and yes I realize recoil only goes up when the speed goes up. I'm not sure of what weight goal I'd go for but I'm sure it'll be around 8-9lbs loaded. I would presume powders ranging in the fast/medium rate would work, 4320, 4350,3031 or something? I've seen some data from the past Lyman manuals so I suppose I could start there and see how it goes. Again, thanks so much for the info.

Maybe it's not such a great choice? I don't know I have a Marlin 1895 45/70 that sits around a lot. It has the same case head as the 38/56 and I thought a little wood work to spruce it up and a 22 inch barrel would make a nice woods gun. Any thoughts? See I have a problem, I have high powered rifles and it seems now a days if I'm going to the woods to hunt deer, I don't grab them anymore. I'm grabbing one of my 35 Rems., or 30-40 Krag, or one of my 44/40's. The .348, 45/70, and such stays in the vault. I love the 8x56 Steyr I picked up last year but because its fast handling and powerful - but I like lever actions. Have for years. It just seems to me if a 38/55 can shoot a 255 gr. bullet all day long at 1700 - 1800fps. the 38/56 should be close to 2000fps? Maybe it won't and maybe I should lose the idea before I go and spend the money. I just like the idea of having something different.

Has anyone out there played around with the 38/56 Winchester? Been toying with the idea of having one but haven't seen any new data on anyone working with it. Anyone trying smokeless loads, black powder loads? I know the capacity being up from the 38/55 at around 48grs. of black powder and they get 255gr. bullets 1800 fps. or so with smokeless. What would the 38/56 do? I don't need to go real fast, 1500 fps. is really fine for me. Just wondering what a high end load "could" be.
Thanks.

I own a Win. model 92 in that round. It's one of the funnest little guns (though not so light in the long rifle) that I ever grab to go shoot. Many skunks, wood chucks, and such have fallen to the little round from that gun. I use both Speer 75gr. and Rem. 86 gr. bullets and it shoots them well. That round in a Martini would be a real treat.

Oh believe me, the rifle will be carried. And when one comes out, I'm sure that'll be the end.

Ok finally got some shooting done. The loads are knocking on 2400fps, some a little more, some a little less. The new front site was about right at putting the shots about on at 50yds. Now it's to try it at 100 and see how they print. Oh and at 50, best three shots were just around an inch and a half group. I thought that was pretty descent considering the sights. The second group was at almost two inches. Maybe a three incher at 100? We'll see, but I know most of my hunting ranges are gonna be around 50 to 75 yd. shooting so I think it'll be ok. I post more if I find something and thank you guys so much for the info. It helped out a lot.

Ok well I'm learning more all the time about this firearm. More than one way to skin a cat I guess. I'll have to look at that and try it out. Thanks.

Neat idea indeed. Still one problem, gotta load the stripper clip from the top. And you need the clip as to hold the rounds in the magazine.

Ah, I see. Didn't think about the top loading for the scope issues. Doesn't your "clip" pop out by pushing the button in the trigger guard? I guess mine does with the bolt open then you can reload the clip without cycling shells through the chamber. Just curious. I'll get to shooting my loads here soon and let you know what happens. Been pretty windy around here lately just waiting for it to calm down. Oh, and I received my new replacement front sight, I think it should help bring the point of impact down. I bought it from milsurp and it's .150 taller than the sight the gun was issued with.

Oh and Gitano, can ask why you'd opt to put this round in a Mosin Nagant action? What is there that the Steyr lacks? Straight pull vs. turn bolt?

Well last weekend I settled on 54 grs. IMR 4350. At that charge there was no sign of pressure at all. I didn't get a chance to chronograph yet (only loaded five rounds to start) but now have loaded ten more and will try it. The first five I must say grouped very well at fifty yards. But about 5.5" - 6" high. I ordered a new front sight to solder a "bead" on top of it and will see where that throws them. I guess I can always file it down from there if it prints too low. I'm having fun with this "oddball" and the gun and cartridge is growing on me, I can see it in my hand for the deer woods this year. Gitano, I can see your vision of that round in a Marlin too. I'm sure it would be right around 348 specs, nothing to snear at. Just have to figure out what bullets to use in a lever gun I guess. I have an early long tang 71' 348 and it is a real thumper on game in this area (mostly black bear and deer) but I have to say the light weight and compactness of the 95 Steyr to me, I think would be easier to carry in the thick woods. When I get to shoot these new loads through the chrony, I'll let you know what's what.

So Gitano, 53.5 grs. got you around 2300 FPS and milder pressure. You say you used 4350 and I have that in IMR. Is your firearm a rifle barrel length or carbine? I saw 46 grs. of 4064 going 2300 FPS in a past post but you you're around 2100 FPS with 48grs. Just curious. I know each gun can be different. I've seen some of that before in my past shooting tests. I guess with this gun I just was wondering about all this because I have no experience with anything like the 95'. Just turn bolts. I have a 1910 Ross 280 but haven't fired a shot in it either. Maybe another day. Thanks a lot you guys, this all helps and is **** interesting.

I'll make a note of this, thanks. When I get my Lee dies from back order I'll get right on it. Thanks again, Aaron.

Yes it is marked with an S. And it's in the carbine configuration. I can get my hands on IMR 4064, thanks, Aaron.

I wasn't thinking and forgot the main ingredients.  I'm using Graff and Sons brass and the Hornady 205gr. bullet. Sorry.