Past weekend I finally loaded some .38-40

I finally loaded up some .38-40 for the ancient 1873 Winchester. I can’t find my gas checks after moving, they’ll turn up. I had some 200 gr. cast and tumble lubed them with Lee Alox nut about half with mineral spirits. Not globs, flows freely, dries fast. Thin works too. I wanted to try w/o checks. Gas will have to seal at that first band. Since a bullet base influences flight dramatically this “boattail” will be interesting.

Taffin had a great couple articles on .38-40 loads. Some for his first Gen Colts and old Winchesters. He used 180 gr. cast bullet and 5.0-5.3 gr. Bullseye. He got 1200 fps from the carbine and 800+ from his Colt. My bullet is 200 so I backed off 1/2 grain to 4.5 gr. Everyone cautions about the fragile necks on the .38 WCF and its well founded. Even in shipping the Starline cases were misshapen. The expander lined them back out. A heavy crimp is not needed and can bulge that thin neck where chambering issues may arise. A double charge, visually is hard to see, even 9 grs. vs 4.5. You must just be precise and careful. This isn’t a .38 special case.

Middle right case has 9.0 hrs. Bullseyes, left and others 4.5. But a lb. Of Bullseye will load over 1500 rounds!

Real easy to bulge a case crimping. I actually crimped a case screw adjusting the die.

Not much bullet pull in the case but it should work.

The old rounds look the part and a bit exotic. I like the 10mm bullet and shoot .401 GNR, .400 GNR, .401 Herters, besides the .40 and 10mm. Gary has me two full customs, a G2, and a custom .38 WCF cylinder for my Herters Supermag.

I hope the 140 yr. old Winchester will still shoot.