Reeder Custom Guns - 38-40/401 GNR

Huey, from previous posts on this forum you have been working up your loads for this caliber and utilizing GT bullets. Have you loaded/shot the 180 gr. GT lead hollow point? If so, do you use a cannelure tool on the bullet? I shoot a Buckeye Sports 38-40 10mm convertible Ruger SA and purchased one of Gary's 401 GNR with an extra cylinder for 38-40. I have had an issue with certain cast bullets that have a tendency to back out. All bullet types have the same .401 dia. Before I purchase a tool I thought maybe you could give me a little insight into your experience of reloading for this caliber. Thanks

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1) USE A CANNELURING TOOL , OR 2) DO NOT EXPAND THE CASE MOUTHS. INSTEAD USE A LEE UNIVERSAL EXPANDER TO JUST KISS THE MOUTH ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE BULLET TO ENTER AND THEN CRIMP WITH A LEE FACTORY CRIMP DIE.

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Kevin like you I sent my 38-40/10mm buckeye special to Gary to have another cylinder made in 401 gnr. I tried Hornady 200gr XTP's with no luck. It would pull the 6th bullet in the cylinder and lock the cylinder up. It also over expanded. Then I found Montana Bullet works 200gr. LFN-GC. This bullet really works well in my 401 gnr.

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Angle of the mouth expansion. Sometimes factory dies work better. But another useful tool that is inexpensive.

Heavier bullets pull worse.

Except for deer or sheep, self defense, I have little use for HP 10mm projectiles. I shoot the home cast Lyman 170 SWCHP which is quite explosive on water filled containers. I figure the nose is blowing, but that leaves a 120gr. Slug to keep penetrating.

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I'll eventually try some. If they stabilize, may be a great hunting bullet for the same reason you mentioned.

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in the 38 WCF,

Generally speaking, bullets of 200 grains and under stay put better depending on level of load.
200 and up will jump "crimp" worse due to their weight combined with exuberant loads.

If you have the XR3 RED frame, standard plow handle, the gun will roll faster. Gun acceleration with the bullet weight equals an kinetic bullet puller.
In my opinion the Bisley grip rolls less and thus pulls bullets less, letting you run higher level loads combined with heavier bullets before they jump crimp.

What also helps is the shooters hand tension/size or build. I'm about 6'4 and 270, work as a miner and have larger than normal hands. This helps me wrap around a Bisley completely. Thus, I can mitigate the recoil of many large caliber rounds and makes the 38 WCF work well with heavier bullets and top loads for me, where the same loads don't with others. This is due to shooting style, grip, hand size, etc.

We handgunners are curious brood. Loving the platform but at times inadvertently conflicting on what works. The simple fact is our platform only has one handle, and what we wrap around it is as individualistic as we are.
Find what combination works for you, which may be a bullet/load combination that won't work for others.

I find with the 38 WCF the Horandy dies work ok. Their bullet seating dies with the guided seater helps keep the bullet straight with the neck of the WCF. One only needs to substitute the flat nose plug from the 10 mm for the standard conical seater with the original dies when using flat nosed cast bullets.
The Redding Profile crimp dies work well for good tight crimps, as they start with a taper crimp and finish with a roll crimp, and with JT's recommendation, the Lee Universal expander is also good, giving you all the neck tension (what little it is) for the 38 WCF. If you have a standard expander that you can remove, you can polish it down to the desired neck tension you need of so inclined.

Hope this helps the 38WCF shooters out there. It is a great cartridge, but when run to modern loads in modern guns, requires a bit more tedious loading to insure reliable function in revolvers. Of course that depends on load level, platform and shooter.

All the best,
Happy Thanksgiving

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I bought a Lee Die Set in 38-40. Also, added the Lee Collet Crimp Die.

It squeezes the brass in from the sides instead of rolling the lip of the case in. So no cannelure is needed. It works the same with cast, jacketed or coated bullets.

The die also works with the 401 GNR. So well, in fact, I bought a second one to put in the box with my Hornady 401 GNR Dies.

I do load the GT Bullets in 180 and 200 grn to +P loading. Have pushed to 1500 fps without leading. Had poor luck with H110/296 with the plain based bullets. It seemed 2400 was the best choice for me.

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Guys, thank you for all of your information. Alcorn, I am having the same exact problem that you have experienced. I believe I will follow Huey's suggestion and purchase a Collet Crimp die and see how it goes. Thanks again and have a great Thanksgiving. For all on this forum, Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your family and friends.

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For performance on game. I've pushed them harder, but they come apart.

The resized 41 Magnum bullets are doing much better. I'm going to set up to squeeze them down correctly.

Agree with Alcorn on the Montana Bullets. They are coating some with Hi-Tek now. I'm anxious to try some.

Just got in some 200 grn Missouri Bullets that are coated. Will be trying them soon too.

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38-40/401 GNR

TO UTILIZE NON-CANNELURED BULLETS

401 gnr

The Lee tool has several settings to change the

GT makes a 220 grn HP 10mm Bullet...

WB is right, heavier bullets pull worse

Kevin, I certainly can tell you what works for me....

38-40

I limit the factory 10mm and GTs to 1400 +/- fps