38-40 Loading

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Garys38WCF
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38-40 Loading

Post by Garys38WCF »

Hi there from Corpus Christi Texas!
I have a lot to share but tonight I have a question for you guys.

I’ve been searching high and low on the internet for 38-40 load data using Reloader 7. If anyone can help me out I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Gary
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GunnyMack
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Re: 38-40 Loading

Post by GunnyMack »

Welcome aboard! Personally I have no help to offer but I'm sure someone will come along with data that will work.
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OldWin
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Re: 38-40 Loading

Post by OldWin »

Welcome to the fire!
The 38WCF is one of my favorite cartridges. Unfortunately, I have never used Reloader7 in this cartidge. It is a safe bet some of these ole boys will be along soon to help, however.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
Leverluver
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Re: 38-40 Loading

Post by Leverluver »

I have an old loading leaflet they used to put out that had some surprising (smoking) speeds for RE7 in the 38-40 at standard pressures. I haven't seen that data published (by Alliant) since. All the 38-40 current data will be found in the wimpy CAS load data. I am sure that Alliant brochure is buried somewhere but I'll see if I can find it.
3leggedturtle
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Re: 38-40 Loading

Post by 3leggedturtle »

Welcome to the Best Gun Enabler's forumn in the web. Google "RL7 in 38/40" you will find quite discussions on this. Alliant's manual will pop up and shows 25.8 grs. Todd/3leg
30/30 Winchester: Not accurate enough fer varmints, barely adequate for small deer; BUT In a 10" to 14" barrelled pistol; is good for moose/elk to 200 yards; ground squirrels to 300 metres

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Shasta
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Re: 38-40 Loading

Post by Shasta »

First of all, welcome to the Leverguns campfire. Lots of good info hereabouts.

Dunno if it helps, but I use 25.0 gr. Re7 in my .44-40 with a 205 gr. bullet with excellent results.

Shasta
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Sixgun
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Re: 38-40 Loading

Post by Sixgun »

I personally think RL7 is too slow a powder to work reliably in the 38-40 unless your using full power loads or jacketed bullets.

Park it to the side and make it easy on yourself and use a fast to medium rate powder such as Unique. That makes it a no-brainer.----6
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Garys38WCF
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Re: 38-40 Loading

Post by Garys38WCF »

Wow such fast responses! Thank all of you for your inputs. I really am glad I found this forum full of helpful knowledgeable guys!👍
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earlmck
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Re: 38-40 Loading

Post by earlmck »

Shasta's load 205bullet/25gr RL7 is the same as I load for a full-power load in my m92. It has the nice property of being a compressed load and so my 205 grain bullet with a kinda' skimpy crimp groove can't slip the crimp and push deeper in the case.

I don't shoot this in my old '73, however. It is a fine load for the stronger m92 action but pressures certainly exceed those intended in the old '73 rifles. QL thinks this load should give 23k psi or so. And while playing around in QL I see that a compressed load of 3031 would essentially give black-powder type pressures and velocities (13k psi, 1280 fps). I may have to give this a try sometime because that load range is what I have been using for our lever-action silhouette shoots.
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gundownunder
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Re: 38-40 Loading

Post by gundownunder »

2005 edition of the Alliant reloaders guide lists 2 loads with Reloder 7
25.8 grains behind a 150 gr Sierra JHP for 1745 fps and 13500 psi
24.0 grains behind a 180 gr Sierra JHP for 1610 fps and 13400 psi

Lee's second edition of modern reloading also lists 2 loads with Reloder 7
180 gr jacketed 23.5 gr at 1601 fps to 25.8 gr at 1745 fps for 13500 psi
200 gr jacketed 22.1 gr at 1492 fps to 24.0 gr at 1610 fps for 13400 psi

I know they are jacketed loads but I would happily use them as a load with cast, just as I do when I look for loads for my 32-20.
Bob
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RIHMFIRE
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Re: 38-40 Loading

Post by RIHMFIRE »

Sixgun wrote: Thu Jun 13, 2019 11:57 am I personally think RL7 is too slow a powder to work reliably in the 38-40 unless your using full power loads or jacketed bullets.

Park it to the side and make it easy on yourself and use a fast to medium rate powder such as Unique. That makes it a no-brainer.----6


+1
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elmo123
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Re: 38-40 Loading

Post by elmo123 »

I have a model 1892 with a 24" round barrel that was made in 1899 and below are the results that I got using RL7, WLP and 180 cast RNFP bullet.

25.8 = 1165 fps group was 3" at 30 yards
21.0= 852 fps with a keyhole 3" group

10.0 Unique = 1268 fps group was 3" at 30 yards

20.0 2400 = 1625 fps with a keyhole 3" group

This rifle has a dark and pitted bore but shoots reasonably well but an occasional keyhole occurs with cast bullets. I have never had a keyhole with jacketed bullets but the velocities are quite a bit slower.

Mike
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