Lookin' fer a recipe

38splfan · June 18, 2005, 07:08 PM

Howdy to all,

I'm bored, so I need a new recipe.

I'd like to know if anyone has any good suggestions for .38spl. blackpowder cowboy loads.
Just for something unique to try, since I have a grocery sack of .38 brass stuffed in the reloading desk

Anybody got a good'un?

**Unclenick** · June 18, 2005, 08:18 PM

I've never tried this. My guess is you can't stuff the case with enough BP to reach dangerous pressures, but I don't know it for a fact. Rather than guess, check the Goex Black powder loading chart. They put 23 grains of BP under a 160 grain cast bullet in the .38 Special. http://www.goexpowder.com/load-chart.html

Nick

38splfan · June 18, 2005, 08:35 PM

I've tinkered a bit with BP rifle rounds (.47-70) but not with pistols.
That sounds like sound advice, and I'll give the GOEX chart a read.
Thankee much.

Leftoverdj · June 18, 2005, 10:21 PM

.38Spl, you are going to need a soft lube and plenty of it to keep the fouling down. My experience is with a .36 C&B. You ain't gonna get enough fffg into the .38 Spl case to hurt anything, and you need enough to be slightly compressed. A grease cookie between the powder and bullet would reduce the amount of powder and help keep the fouling soft.

38splfan · June 18, 2005, 11:57 PM

'preciate it.
I'm thinkin' a bit o' research is in order before I start, but I feel pretty confident that I can put out some good, safe cowboy loads.
I'll definitely remember the grease cookies, as I don't really want to pack a case with anything

Nervous I guess....

Has anyone here tried the Goex cowboy powders? I saw them on their page and they are designed to be used with brass cases and modern bullets/primers.

June 18, 2005, 07:08 PM	#1
38splfan Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Location: Ft. Lewis/Tacoma, WA. Posts: 1,034	Lookin' fer a recipe Howdy to all, I'm bored, so I need a new recipe. I'd like to know if anyone has any good suggestions for .38spl. blackpowder cowboy loads. Just for something unique to try, since I have a grocery sack of .38 brass stuffed in the reloading desk Anybody got a good'un? __________________ "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others and I expect the same from them." - John Wayne

June 18, 2005, 08:35 PM	#3
38splfan Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Location: Ft. Lewis/Tacoma, WA. Posts: 1,034	Thanks. I've tinkered a bit with BP rifle rounds (.47-70) but not with pistols. That sounds like sound advice, and I'll give the GOEX chart a read. Thankee much. __________________ "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others and I expect the same from them." - John Wayne

June 18, 2005, 11:57 PM	#5
38splfan Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Location: Ft. Lewis/Tacoma, WA. Posts: 1,034	Thank you. 'preciate it. I'm thinkin' a bit o' research is in order before I start, but I feel pretty confident that I can put out some good, safe cowboy loads. I'll definitely remember the grease cookies, as I don't really want to pack a case with anything Nervous I guess.... Has anyone here tried the Goex cowboy powders? I saw them on their page and they are designed to be used with brass cases and modern bullets/primers. __________________ "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others and I expect the same from them." - John Wayne

June 18, 2005, 08:18 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 9,153	I've never tried this. My guess is you can't stuff the case with enough BP to reach dangerous pressures, but I don't know it for a fact. Rather than guess, check the Goex Black powder loading chart. They put 23 grains of BP under a 160 grain cast bullet in the .38 Special. http://www.goexpowder.com/load-chart.html Nick

June 18, 2005, 10:21 PM	#4
Leftoverdj Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2004 Posts: 934	.38Spl, you are going to need a soft lube and plenty of it to keep the fouling down. My experience is with a .36 C&B. You ain't gonna get enough fffg into the .38 Spl case to hurt anything, and you need enough to be slightly compressed. A grease cookie between the powder and bullet would reduce the amount of powder and help keep the fouling soft.