Derringer ... please read before condemming!

rfhall50 · August 6, 2007, 06:33 PM

Before anyone jumps my case, I carry Glocks. That being said .........

I also shoot Cowboy action with 38 Special Vaqueros, a 38 Special Marlin Lever gun, and a 12 gauge coach gun. Once in a while we also use pocket pistols (which can also be DERRINGERS). I would like to work up a load for my Cobra 38 SPL that is manageable at 7 paces. It will always be pure lead by SASS rules. My Vaquero loads are 3.5 grains of Bullseye. My bullet of choice for right now is a 125 grain, round nose flat point.

The question is can I simply decrease the powder charge to get a more manageble load ? I have read threads about too small of a load causing an explosion, versus buring of the powder. Is that a possibility, or is it even true ? What about trimming down some 38 SPL cases to make a "38 short" ? As I understand it, snake loads are not an option

Don't mind trying different things, but want to go about it the correct way. Would appreciate any suggestions you might have.

Bob "Horse Mud" Hall
SASS # 74179

Rimrod · August 6, 2007, 07:42 PM

I hate to tell you this Horse Mud, but they'll jump you for carrying a Glock too.

Anyway, how do your cowboy loads shoot in the Cobra? Do they need reducing? The Lyman pistol and revolver book lists a starting load for a 120gr LRN at 2.8 grains which should work o.k. for your 125 gr. RNFP.

If you find some actual "Cowboy" loading data they may even go lower than that.

And welcome to the forum.

rfhall50 · August 6, 2007, 11:10 PM

Rimrod ...

Thanks for the reply. I am going to loadup a dozen or so with 2.8 grains, maybe even a dozen at 2.7 and 2.6.

The problem I am seeing is about a 10" difference between the top and bottom barrels. Hoping that maybe an "easier" shoot might help to correct the human part of the 10" difference. I figure it is worth a try.

Again .... thanks for your input.

Horse Mud

Bullet94 · August 6, 2007, 11:26 PM

You might try Trail Boss or Black powder.

Rimrod · August 7, 2007, 03:51 PM

The Trail Boss isn't a bad idea, it is designed for light Cowboy loads. The difference in point of impact with the barrels may not get any better. I've heard some horror stories with some derringers shooting that way.

Magnum Wheel Man · August 8, 2007, 09:18 AM

then color coding them as per top or bottom barrel... you may find slightly altering the charge, & or bullet weight will cause the point of impactto close up some between the barrels

rfhall50 · August 8, 2007, 01:08 PM

Thanks for all your suggestions. Will let y'all know what happens.

Horse Mud

rfhall50 · August 9, 2007, 11:06 AM

Follow-up:

Not very scientific, but I tried a couple of different loads last night. Loaded up 10 with 2.5 gr., 10 with 2.8 gr.,and 10 with 3.0 gr. As I said, not very scientific, but the 3.0 loads were the most consistant in spread, as well as being closer to point of aim. The biggest difference I saw was in the shot spread. Expected almost a 22 rimfire feel from the 2.5 grain loads, but it still had a pretty good snap. BTW, I used a slip hammer firing method, rather than a straight trigger pull. When it gets cooler I'll try it again with a calibrated linear measurement deviice, i.e., ruler.

Horse mud

August 6, 2007, 06:33 PM	#1
rfhall50 Junior Member Join Date: August 6, 2007 Posts: 4	Derringer ... please read before condemming! Before anyone jumps my case, I carry Glocks. That being said ......... I also shoot Cowboy action with 38 Special Vaqueros, a 38 Special Marlin Lever gun, and a 12 gauge coach gun. Once in a while we also use pocket pistols (which can also be DERRINGERS). I would like to work up a load for my Cobra 38 SPL that is manageable at 7 paces. It will always be pure lead by SASS rules. My Vaquero loads are 3.5 grains of Bullseye. My bullet of choice for right now is a 125 grain, round nose flat point. The question is can I simply decrease the powder charge to get a more manageble load ? I have read threads about too small of a load causing an explosion, versus buring of the powder. Is that a possibility, or is it even true ? What about trimming down some 38 SPL cases to make a "38 short" ? As I understand it, snake loads are not an option Don't mind trying different things, but want to go about it the correct way. Would appreciate any suggestions you might have. Bob "Horse Mud" Hall SASS # 74179

August 8, 2007, 09:18 AM	#6
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	you could try developing a load for each barrel... then color coding them as per top or bottom barrel... you may find slightly altering the charge, & or bullet weight will cause the point of impactto close up some between the barrels

August 6, 2007, 07:42 PM	#2
Rimrod Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Behind enemy lines Posts: 1,309	I hate to tell you this Horse Mud, but they'll jump you for carrying a Glock too. Anyway, how do your cowboy loads shoot in the Cobra? Do they need reducing? The Lyman pistol and revolver book lists a starting load for a 120gr LRN at 2.8 grains which should work o.k. for your 125 gr. RNFP. If you find some actual "Cowboy" loading data they may even go lower than that. And welcome to the forum.

August 6, 2007, 11:10 PM	#3
rfhall50 Junior Member Join Date: August 6, 2007 Posts: 4	Rimrod ... Thanks for the reply. I am going to loadup a dozen or so with 2.8 grains, maybe even a dozen at 2.7 and 2.6. The problem I am seeing is about a 10" difference between the top and bottom barrels. Hoping that maybe an "easier" shoot might help to correct the human part of the 10" difference. I figure it is worth a try. Again .... thanks for your input. Horse Mud

August 6, 2007, 11:26 PM	#4
Bullet94 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 723	You might try Trail Boss or Black powder.

August 7, 2007, 03:51 PM	#5
Rimrod Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Behind enemy lines Posts: 1,309	The Trail Boss isn't a bad idea, it is designed for light Cowboy loads. The difference in point of impact with the barrels may not get any better. I've heard some horror stories with some derringers shooting that way.

August 8, 2007, 01:08 PM	#7
rfhall50 Junior Member Join Date: August 6, 2007 Posts: 4	Thanks for all your suggestions. Will let y'all know what happens. Horse Mud

August 9, 2007, 11:06 AM	#8
rfhall50 Junior Member Join Date: August 6, 2007 Posts: 4	Follow-up: Not very scientific, but I tried a couple of different loads last night. Loaded up 10 with 2.5 gr., 10 with 2.8 gr.,and 10 with 3.0 gr. As I said, not very scientific, but the 3.0 loads were the most consistant in spread, as well as being closer to point of aim. The biggest difference I saw was in the shot spread. Expected almost a 22 rimfire feel from the 2.5 grain loads, but it still had a pretty good snap. BTW, I used a slip hammer firing method, rather than a straight trigger pull. When it gets cooler I'll try it again with a calibrated linear measurement deviice, i.e., ruler. Horse mud