The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Original Blackpowder Loads for the .38 Special and .38 Long Colt Cartridges

jjmorgan64 · October 1, 2002, 08:07 PM

Well according to Chicoine's "Gunsmithing Guns of the old West" on page 23 it shows,

38 special 158 gr Baloon head case Solid head case speed
21 gr FFg 19 gr FFg 850 fps

38 long colt 150 gr 18 gr FFg 16 gr FFg 760 fps

Lyman's black powder only lists 38 special

158 gr bullet

goex ffg 17 gr 561 fps

goex fffg 17.5 gr 642

pyrodex RS 17 gr 638

pyrodex P 18 gr 635

So that's quite a difference in sources, those are the only 2 I have on hand for BP.

October 1, 2002, 08:07 PM	#2
jjmorgan64 Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2001 Posts: 519	Well according to Chicoine's "Gunsmithing Guns of the old West" on page 23 it shows, 38 special 158 gr Baloon head case Solid head case speed 21 gr FFg 19 gr FFg 850 fps 38 long colt 150 gr 18 gr FFg 16 gr FFg 760 fps Lyman's black powder only lists 38 special 158 gr bullet goex ffg 17 gr 561 fps goex fffg 17.5 gr 642 pyrodex RS 17 gr 638 pyrodex P 18 gr 635 So that's quite a difference in sources, those are the only 2 I have on hand for BP. __________________ The Forty-Four spoke and it sent lead and smoke And seventeen inches of flame. -Marty Robbins JM