.38-40 WCF Handloads

tooltime · February 13, 2001, 11:33 AM

Does anyone have any favorite handloads for the .38-40 WCF cartridge? I shoot a colt SSA. My interest is in loads for handguns. I use a Lyman cast bullet 180 Grain with 10.3 grains of Blue Dot. This will reach between 800 and 900 FPS on the chrony depending on how the powder is oriented in the case. I am interested to find out what everyone else uses.

WIL TERRY · February 13, 2001, 01:07 PM

My Cinnamon 4 3/4" 38/40 has had hundreds of exactly two different loads put through it. Both shot so well at 25 yards, 1 1/4" groups all day long, I never bothered trying any others.
The Bull-X 175gr SWC over 9.0gr of Unique or Universal flies at 950fps and thinks it should go clean up Camp Perry.
The Bull-X 180gr LFN shoots just as good and looks much more traditional plus goes through the leverguns like sh.. ah stuff through a goose.
Incidently, the cylinder throats in that delightful sixgun mike .401", the barrel slugs at .401", and the bullets mike .401". When things line up like that the rest is easy.
DANG, I DO LOVE THE OLD 38/40 AKA 38WCF!!

February 13, 2001, 01:07 PM	#2
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	38/40 HANDLOADS My Cinnamon 4 3/4" 38/40 has had hundreds of exactly two different loads put through it. Both shot so well at 25 yards, 1 1/4" groups all day long, I never bothered trying any others. The Bull-X 175gr SWC over 9.0gr of Unique or Universal flies at 950fps and thinks it should go clean up Camp Perry. The Bull-X 180gr LFN shoots just as good and looks much more traditional plus goes through the leverguns like sh.. ah stuff through a goose. Incidently, the cylinder throats in that delightful sixgun mike .401", the barrel slugs at .401", and the bullets mike .401". When things line up like that the rest is easy. DANG, I DO LOVE THE OLD 38/40 AKA 38WCF!!

February 13, 2001, 11:33 AM	#1
tooltime Member Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 17	Does anyone have any favorite handloads for the .38-40 WCF cartridge? I shoot a colt SSA. My interest is in loads for handguns. I use a Lyman cast bullet 180 Grain with 10.3 grains of Blue Dot. This will reach between 800 and 900 FPS on the chrony depending on how the powder is oriented in the case. I am interested to find out what everyone else uses.