I've got dies and brass coming (working on the lead part), and I'm looking for a mild load for 38-40 cast (probably a 180gr slug). It's for a Marlin 1889 (made in 1894) so I don't want anything too snappy out of it. I have some Titegroup at home - any recommended recipes involving that? Or would something like Trailboss be better suited for a low pressure round in a bigger case?
Looking for mild 38-40 loads for cast
- Thread starter Killer Kanuck
- Start date
38-40
If at all possible, get Lyman's, "Handbook of Cast Bullets." It is loaded with information on lead and alloys, casting, bullet moulds, and on and on.
Of course, they won't list the modern names for powder that you do, but with 2400, 4759 and Unique, they show loads for the 38-40 with the 175 grain bullet, for speeds of 1350 to 1940.
In a similar book I once read that the buffalo hunters used a mixture of beeswax and beef tallow, for bullet lub. I used that for much of my rifle experiments and it seemed as good as any of the lubricants.
If at all possible, get Lyman's, "Handbook of Cast Bullets." It is loaded with information on lead and alloys, casting, bullet moulds, and on and on.
Of course, they won't list the modern names for powder that you do, but with 2400, 4759 and Unique, they show loads for the 38-40 with the 175 grain bullet, for speeds of 1350 to 1940.
In a similar book I once read that the buffalo hunters used a mixture of beeswax and beef tallow, for bullet lub. I used that for much of my rifle experiments and it seemed as good as any of the lubricants.
for a load with a 180 gr cast bullet in the 38-40 winchester cartridge using "Titegroup" powder & a standard primer:
start with 5 grains & work up to.... a MAX of 6.4 grains.
velocities listed from 819 to 990 FPS.
also, keep your MINIMUM OAL at 1.600.
pressure listed at 13,300 PSI at max load.
this info is from the Lee reloading manual, 2'nd edition.....
Sheriff Jim Wilson writer of "shooting times magazine" found his most accurite load in this calibre using Titegroup powder, shooting a colt single action army with the 5-1/2" barrel. he was using 6.0 grs of titegroup. at 25 yds he was getting 1-1/2" groups. who knows, it may be a good load in your rifle.
also, you should get more speed from the rifle length barrel than the above listed velocities.....
if you can find the "Hodgdon's 2007 annual manual on reloading" at any good magazine stand it has a good article on these old Black powder cartridges including the 38-40.
the very next article is about "TRAIL BOSS" powder......
hope this helps, happy shootin, & let us know how the old classic shoots, when you can...
Ruffbird.
start with 5 grains & work up to.... a MAX of 6.4 grains.
velocities listed from 819 to 990 FPS.
also, keep your MINIMUM OAL at 1.600.
pressure listed at 13,300 PSI at max load.
this info is from the Lee reloading manual, 2'nd edition.....
Sheriff Jim Wilson writer of "shooting times magazine" found his most accurite load in this calibre using Titegroup powder, shooting a colt single action army with the 5-1/2" barrel. he was using 6.0 grs of titegroup. at 25 yds he was getting 1-1/2" groups. who knows, it may be a good load in your rifle.
also, you should get more speed from the rifle length barrel than the above listed velocities.....
if you can find the "Hodgdon's 2007 annual manual on reloading" at any good magazine stand it has a good article on these old Black powder cartridges including the 38-40.
the very next article is about "TRAIL BOSS" powder......hope this helps, happy shootin, & let us know how the old classic shoots, when you can...
Ruffbird.
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Thanks for the info.
I'll keep an eye out for the Hodgdon manual - sounds like it would be a good read.
I'm assuming that with such a small charge in a big case, a dacron plug would be wise to ensure consistent ignition.
I'm hoping she'll be a decent shooter:
I'll keep an eye out for the Hodgdon manual - sounds like it would be a good read.
I'm assuming that with such a small charge in a big case, a dacron plug would be wise to ensure consistent ignition.
I'm hoping she'll be a decent shooter:
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
With the 38-40, there are no published powerhouse loads listed that would harm your rifle.
14.1 grains of 2400 under a 150 grain sierra JHP (Alliant)
13.0 grains of 2400 under a 180 grain Sierra JHP (Alliant) 1305 fps
25.8 grains of R7 under a 180 grain Sierra JHP (Alliant) 1745 fps
12.7 grains of 2400 under a 200 grain Hornady FMJ/FP 1225 fps
24.0 grains of R7 under a 200 grain Hornady FMJ/FP 1610 fps
Alliant reloaders guide
Personal comments.
2400 is much cleaner than Rel 7, or was in my rifle. Rel 7 really does put up the velocity with out the pressure, however, in my rifle accuracy sucked, and it was very dirty. The bullets would not stabalize at that speed. My rifle was an 1892 Winchester.
14.1 grains of 2400 under a 150 grain sierra JHP (Alliant)
13.0 grains of 2400 under a 180 grain Sierra JHP (Alliant) 1305 fps
25.8 grains of R7 under a 180 grain Sierra JHP (Alliant) 1745 fps
12.7 grains of 2400 under a 200 grain Hornady FMJ/FP 1225 fps
24.0 grains of R7 under a 200 grain Hornady FMJ/FP 1610 fps
Alliant reloaders guide
Personal comments.
2400 is much cleaner than Rel 7, or was in my rifle. Rel 7 really does put up the velocity with out the pressure, however, in my rifle accuracy sucked, and it was very dirty. The bullets would not stabalize at that speed. My rifle was an 1892 Winchester.
