Need loads for 38wcf (38-40)

[koathmann]

I am looking for some loads for my 92 winchester 38 WCF. Hp-38 looked like a good one. Most loads I saw are around 6 grains do you have to use a filler and if so what

[WIL TERRY]

EVER !!
And there are better propellents available starting with the good ol' UNIQUE and most definately including UNIVERSAL. THE NEW SPEER MANUAL NUMBER 14 lists eleven different propellents. HP38/231 is listed tenth out of the eleven , [ that tells you something...].

[bmcgilvray]

I settled on a load of 7.1 grains of Unique under a 172 grain Lyman cast bullet for general purpose field/plinking purpose years ago. I only have a Colt Single Action Army in .38-40 now but this load worked very well in a Winchester Model 1873 rifle with a 24-inch barrel that I used to have.

It clocks 829 fps from the 4 3/4-inch Colt and clocked 1139 fps from the Winchester.

A cast lead 180 grain bullet may be substituted for the 172 grain Lyman.

[guy sajer]

I use 7 gr Unique with a 10mm/40cal 170 gr lead bullet .

[1873Bob]

I have found 7.5 or 8.0 of Unique behind 180g LRNFP to be a very accurate load out of a 24 inch barrel 92. Experimenting with the same bullet backed by 2400 powder, have not had a chance yet to range test them though.

[bmcgilvray]

IMR 4227 showed some promise for a more potent loading for the .38-40 in both the revolver and the rifle. I once worked up toward the MINIMUM listed loading for IMR 4227 as listed in the Lyman 46th manual for .38-40 RIFLE loads. Pressures were OBSERVED to be reasonable in both revolver and rifle but can't know that for certain without measuring equipment. After the experiment with IMR 4227 I never made any use of the load.

There might be some limited application for heavier loads in the .38-40 for hunting or if a .38-40 was pressed into service for household defense but the cartridge is at its best when treated with moderation.

I took a small Texas whitetail buck once with a factory .38-40 Winchester jacketed soft point that gave a muzzle velocity of 1348 fps from the Winchester Model 1873. Distance was 100 steps and the bullet poked a .40 hole through the back left rib, a .40 hole through the heart, and a .40 exit hole through the front of the shoulder. There was a distinct pause between the report of the rifle and the "thwack" of the bullet on the deer. The old Winchester would place those bullets in about a 3 1/2-inch 5-shot group from the bench at 100 yards.

[Bulletman]

Lately, I have been using 7.5 grains of Universal with my 180 gr. cast bullet in the '92, as well as a New Service and a Ruger Buckeye.

[DodgeCity1951]

I tried 5.0 Grains of Trail Boss with a 180 grain .401 Missouri Bullet. It was low recoil and seemed reasonably accurate from a 7.5 inch Cimarron Model P.

[koathmann]

HP38 is the only pistol powder I have. I do not want to pay hasmat for 1lb of powder and no place to buy powder localy. I plan on getting some outher powders when I can get to the city.

[guy sajer]

Found this load data site online just now . Might be of help ?

http://www.loaddata.com/members/sear...loading%20Data