"RANGE REPORT ADDED" 2400 load data, for 38-40 rifle help

[jdad]

I have an old Lyman #39 manual that says 17gr, of 2400, is the starting load, for a 180gr LFN 38-40. I see that Laser-Cast has loads as low as 12gr, for their 200gr 44-40 bullet, but no load data for their 38-40 bullet. Is there any reason I can't start with 15gr, of 2400, with the 38-40? I can't find any other 2400 load data, for the 38-40, besides in the Lyman book I have.

Thanks

UPDATE - 6.1gr of HP38 was extremely accurate, at 50yds, but 15gr of 2400 was a whole lot more accurate, at 100yds.
As a side note I also shot, for the first time, a Marlin 1894 (c.1896) chambered in 32-20 that has such a surprising nice bore that I had no problems dropping the 150m Turkeys, with a little 115gr bullet (8.5gr 2400).

[BigMuddy]

Depends a lot on what gun you are loading for. That load is safe in my 92's but don't use it in my 73's or my Colt SAA. Search for "Pet Loads from Ken Waters". I have it printed out here somewhere but it had some good rifle loads for the 38 w.c.f.

Dan

[jdad]

It is a 1st year 1892. Thank you

[elmo123]

How is the bore? I have used up to 20 grains with jacketed and the accuracy was pretty good even with my pitted bore. The lead cast bullets did not shoot that well. The case life was extremely short using maximum loads. Velocity was right at 1600 fps.

[Shasta]

jdad,

According to Waters' Pet Loads, for a Model 92 Winchester he is showing a 180 grain Winchester jacketed soft point with 19 grains 2400 and a CCI 350 primer as the most accurate load for jacketed bullets. At 22.0 grains he got case head separations. For cast lead, he shows a 181 grain Ohaus 40170F bullet with 17.0 grains 2400 and a CCI 350 primer with no comment, and at 18.0 grains shows it as a max load.

My 1951 issue Lyman Reloading Manual shows cast bullet number 40043 at 174 grains loaded with 22.6 grains 2400 gave 1,870 fps, which seems pretty hot to me, but the old 2400 powder may not be the same stuff as our modern 2400.

My 1964 Lyman reloading Manual shows 170 grain cast lead bullets number 40143 or 40188 loaded with 17.0 grains 2400, which seems much more reasonable to me.

I've never owned a .38-40, but I hope to have one some day. I'm interested to see how yours works out for you. Hope this helps...


SHASTA

[jdad]

I put 15 rounds together using both 2400 and HP38. 15grs and 6.1grs respectively. I'll see what happens tomorrow. I also get to try out a new Marlin 1894 (32-20)I just picked up. It dates to 1896 and has an excellent bore. I have plenty of load stuff for that one.

I'm just really bummed to hear that Chris Kyle was murdered.

[cas]

Watching this thread… I'd really like to take my '92 hunting, but at 109 years old I'm unsure how hard I want to push it.

[EdinCT]

You will get higher velocity with the 15 gr of 2400 than any blackpowder load ever shot. I knew a few men who used it with the 1300 fps velocity load and killed plenty of deer. They never knew they were undergunned so it worked. My Grandfathers big rifle was a 38 WCF and I once told my dad I was scared to use it for deer because it had less than 1000 foot lbs of energy, being a reader all the rags said it was a weak sister.
Dad laughed out loud at me and just said if you put that 180 gr slug were they live ( lungs)you'll have a deer!
Dad was right!

[Sixgun]

I use 17 gr. of 2400 with the 175 cast as my 200 meter ram load. It chronos 1490 in a 1897 produced 1892 Win. It's a great balanced load and more than safe in any 1892 and would be fine in a solid 1873, which incidently, I have used in several 1873's. Its only a bit over 100 fps from factory ammo. 16 grains would be a little easier on the 1873 and is within blackpowder pressures.

The powder that really shines in the 38-40 and the 44-40 is Herco. I never knew this until I read it in Ken Water's pet loads. 9 grains with the 175 cast gives 1350 in both 1873's and 1892's. Very low extreme spreads and a noticeable difference in accuracy from any other powders and for those who know me, I use many different powders. 10 grains with a 200 gr. cast in the 44-40 is the load in my leverguns.-----------------------Sixgun

[J Miller]

Sixgun,

It has been a very long time since I've heard Herco mentioned. I used to use it years ago in my 45 Colts. Good powder, good accuracy, good consistency, but a pain to run through "my" Redding powder measure. So I quit using it.

Maybe I should give it another try.

Joe

[44-40 Willy]

oops

[44-40 Willy]

The powder that really shines in the 38-40 and the 44-40 is Herco. I never knew this until I read it in Ken Water's pet loads. 9 grains with the 175 cast gives 1350 in both 1873's and 1892's. Very low extreme spreads and a noticeable difference in accuracy from any other powders and for those who know me, I use many different powders. 10 grains with a 200 gr. cast in the 44-40 is the load in my leverguns.-----------------------Sixgun

What kind of velocity do you get in the 44-40 with the 10gr Herco load? I've used it in shotguns, but never thought about it in the 44-40.

[cas]

I think I may have a dusty old can of Herco stashed somewhere, assuming the cardboard isn't soft and soggy. Herco… just slightly cleaner that FFFg.

[Sixgun]

What kind of velocity do you get in the 44-40 with the 10gr Herco load? I've used it in shotguns, but never thought about it in the 44-40.

1358 @ 60 degrees out of 1894 Marlin with a 210 grain Hensley & Gibbs cast plain base sized .427. The rifle has a .425 groove diam......the tightest 44-40 I have ever owned. I never did chrono it out any 1892 or 1873 but will come spring.

I had a post last September on the Pa. Silhouette Champs and in the post was me shooting the 1894 Marlin. Another pic showed a guy shooting my 1892 I loaned him. The 10 gr. of Herco load was the load we used and the other guy beat me by 1 animal with my own rifle and load. I think is was 45 X 60---------------Sixgun

[BigMuddy]

Funny isn't it? Ask if you could use a 10mm handgun with a 180 gr. bullet traveling 1300 fps on deer and no one would tell you no. I have read where this load is gaining popularity as BEAR protection. Use the same bullet and velocity from a Winchester 1873 38 w.c.f. and there is NO WAY you would ever kill anything bigger than a rabbit.

My favorite load for higher power in a '92 has been a 190 gr. LRNFP bullet cast 20:1 with 17.0 2400.

Dan