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I was about to reload some 38-40s for my original 1873 when I noticed that each fired case had one or two crescent shaped indentations at about 45 degrees to the axis of the bore.
The photo is not very clear but I think you can get an idea of the problem To make matters worse,5 out of 50 cases had a crack that apeared to originate at the indentation.
The brass is Starline 38-40, not necked-down 44-40, on its 4th reload cycle. Loads are BigLube 190grain over a full case of 777, lit by a CCI primer. The only change I have made to the rifle is to replace the magazine spring but I am certain the marks did not appear on previously fired cases..
I guess the neck cracks are my fault for not annealing the brass but the marks remain a mystery.
I would check your chamber to make sure you don't have a crack or a break of some kind.
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The dent in the top case could be from gas leakage through the crack. I don't see a crack in the bottom case. Is there a crack in it at the end of the dent?
I stripped down the action to get a better look at the chamber and found that most of it was coated with a film of lead, right back as far as the breech face. I was able to scrape some out and it miked up at 0.002in. It is almost as if molten lead is blowing back around the case. I need to make a tool to scrape it out and then find a fix - I was thinking I should anneal the case necks and use a fiber wad to protect the base of the bullet.
Perry owens
perry owens wrote:I stripped down the action to get a better look at the chamber and found that most of it was coated with a film of lead, right back as far as the breech face. I was able to scrape some out and it miked up at 0.002in. It is almost as if molten lead is blowing back around the case. I need to make a tool to scrape it out and then find a fix - I was thinking I should anneal the case necks and use a fiber wad to protect the base of the bullet.
Perry owens
If you take an old bore brush and wrap it with bronze wool (available from most boat supply store in the paint section) so that it's tight in the chamber then use it on a rod long enough so it can be turned with a drill that will remove any lead fouling without damaging the chamber.
That's why I love this forum, so much knowledge. Is the leaded chamber because the necks aren't annealed (Starline brass known for being hard) or a combination of hard necks and not a big enough charge? I'm getting close to getting a '73 in 38/40 and I need all the help I can get guys.
Get brass cases and the nickel don't seal well . I have reloaded my 44-40 over 80 times without one case failure in 15 years . I use the Remington brass and NEVER annealed them . I've never used 777 so I would try real BP or something else to see if problem goes away .
That's why I love this forum, so much knowledge. Is the leaded chamber because the necks aren't annealed (Starline brass known for being hard) or a combination of hard necks and not a big enough charge
I normally use BP in all my guns but this one has a pitted bore and 777 seems to foul it up much less. The charge is the maximum I can get in the case but I am not disposed to try smokeless in a 120 year old gun Starline is the only brand of 38-40 brass obtainable in the UK so I am stuck with it. Since the rounds fed and extracted ok even with the leaded chamber I am thinking that the chamber is oversize. I have some Cerrosafe on order so I can check that out, not that I could do anything about it.
I am going to anneal some necks and load 777 and BP, with and without a 0.030 fiber wad under the bullet. Weather permitting I should be able to try them at our CAS practice next weekend.
Perry Owens
In addition to the information you have already received, here is a little more. Triple seven builds a much higher pressure as compared to the same volume of black powder. Hogdon states it is not for use in regular muzzle loaders (in-line only), so you may have a problem there.
Gday Perry.
Think there is a problem in the chamber. I use Starline brass in a 44/40 1873 and have had no probs. Powders used are Swiss 3f and 2400 also Unique. Have never used a wad. Others have written about scrubbing out the chamber, would try that first and see what happens. Will follow this thread with interest, I too am seeking a 38/40 in this model. The resizing die may need and inspection too, just to make sure there is no swarf compromising the integrity of the brass.
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