Quote from Reloader on September 14, 2014, 1:30 am

Merrisa Bishop CEO of Bishop Ammunition Mfg.

This is to address the problems of setting up the Super 1050 for 38-55. Our press is now known as "La Perra Diablo Azul" I will leave you to translate it on your own but I think you get the idea.

The problems which we encountered in setting the Super 1050 for 38-55 were as follows:

1) what dies to use for cast bullets which are not gas checked;
2) Dillion does not offer a conversion kit for 38-55 for the Super 1050;
3) Dillion does not offer a case feed adapter for the 38-55;
4) what powder funnel is to be used for the Dillon Super 1050;
5) resolution of clinging powder to the powder drop tube due to static electricity;
6) resolution of erratic or no powder drop conditions due to both static electricity, bridging and cleaving of stick powders.

As I do not know how to post pictures I will do my best to describe what we have done to fix the problems. If I figure the picture issue out I will add them later.

First a little about the 38-55. This is the cartridge that gave birth to the 30-30. This is important as it dictates the very first step in setting up this press as a 30-30 press is available from Dillon in the Super 1050. The 30-30 is simply the 38-55 necked down to accept a .30 caliber bullet of .308 diameter.

The 38-55 is not an obsolete cartridge. Several manufacturers still offer the 38-55 in their rifles, both single shot and lever action. The 38-55 is also still considered the preferred thin skin game taking cartridge there is. Millions of rifles have been chambered in this cartridge and loaded properly is effective on brown and black bear.

The 38-55 was first developed by Winchester in 1876 by Ballard. The 38-55 was first used by Marlin in their lever action rifles and then by Winchester in their High Wall and lever action rifles.

The .38-55 is renowned for its exceptional accuracy at ranges up to 330 yd and properly loaded and developed by the loader can be accurate out to 1000 yards. The maximum CUP pressure for the 38-55 is 30,000 but will create a explosive combination in older turn of the century firearms made in the early 1900's and late 1800's as this was originally a black powder cartridge, 38 caliber under 55 grains of powder. It was originally intended as a true .380 dia. cartridge, however rifle manufacturers from the cartridge's inception still cannot get it right and grove diameters range from .375 to .382. Therefore you should always swag your barrel to determine what your grove diameter is before you choose a bullet. To solve this problem, yours truly included, in lead bullets we use a .379 bullet and limit our speed to a maximum of 1300 fps to prevent leading. With a gas check you can go safely to 1600 fps but gas checks are not allowed for Cowboy Action shooting in their side matches. Jacketed bullets can safely be loaded up to 1800 fps. There are no lead free/copper bullets for this cartridge. The Winchester 375 is a modern variant of this cartridge. NEVER EVER use .375 Winchester ammunition in ANY 38-55 EVER for any reason. If you do you may be making a trip to the hospital and most probably will by replacing your rifle. ALWAYS follow loading guides. Never exceed maximum recommended guidelines. Start low and work up to a load that is most accurate for you and your rifle.

Now to the problems......

What press to buy: If you are armed as you are now with the knowledge that the parent case for the 30-30 is the 38-55, this should be your first hint. You need to purchase a Super 1050 set up by Dillon for 30-30. This will provide you the right case feeder, the correct pins, a number 4, the correct swaging rod, and it will be set up for large primers. You will also immediately have a 30-30 press conversion as you can use that later to set the press up for 30-30 if you so choose. Use Dillon option number 21003. This will result in the delivery of a Super 1030 for 30-30. You will not be using the dies which will have been installed or the powder drop funnel. You will be using the case feed adapter and the locating pins.

What powder drop funnel to use: Dillon does offer a powder drop funnel. You will not find it under the accessories for the Super 1050. You will find it under the listing of individual powder drop funnels. You will use the one for the 650, (the powder drops are identical for the 650 and the 1050). The one made by Dillon is Powder Drop