38 Long Colt

[Hondo 60]

I've got 7 manuals & NOTHING has any load data for 38 Long Colt.
Lyman 49, Lyman Pistol, Lyman Cast 3 & 4, Speer, Hornady & Lee

I've also seen LOTSA conflicting data online (which I don't trust).
Heck they don't even agree on bullet size.

Seems like the best "available" option is gonna be a .358" HB
not even sure where to get those.

Does anyone have an older manual with data?
I'd like to know what size bullet I'm supposed to use.
minimum & maximum powder data, OAL, etc, etc.

Powders I have:
Tite group
Accurate #2 & #5
Bullseye & Unique.

Thanks in advance!

 

[horseman1]

All I found in my list was for was Hodgdon powders:

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

This includes the tg powder that you have. Hope this helps.

 

[40-82]

Bore size changed during the production of the 38 Colt caliber. Some of the earlier revolvers in that caliber used outside lubricated hollow based bullets that bumped up to diameter when fired. If you have one of those early bores, a .358 bullet won't be very accurate. Strength of the later 38 Colts was probably about equal to a modern low power 38 Special target load.

If you decide to load for the 38 long Colt I would caution you on two points. the 38 Long Colt I have will chamber a .357 magnum cartridge, and you don't want to fire one of those in an antique revolver. Second, if you do have a working early action, those actions are delicate, and if you have problems you won't find it easy to locate either parts or someone with experience working on those revolvers.

 

[funnelcake]

I posted the below in another, recent thread. May help if whether you're using .375 or .358 bullets, heeled or not.

I would read this:
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/heelbullets.htm

and this:
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/ind...?topic=41633.0

In addition to being highly informative, both indicate Old West Bullet Moulds can provide a modified Lee die for crimping heeled base bullets (if you stay that course):
http://www.oldwestbulletmoulds.com/

Funnel

 

[Hondo 60]

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

There's a little info in this thread.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?69660
One post says to use 38 S&W data, I would use that for something to work up to.

 

[MI2600]

As stated above, .38 LC changed during the production of the '92 - '07 Colt. You can tell the difference by looking at the chambers. If they do not have a "step" in them, you have an early model. If they have a "step", you have the later (post 1901) model.

For the early model, your barrel is about .373" and you'll need either hollow-base wadcutter bullets to fill the barrel as it's fired, or heel type bullets.

For the later model, you can use regular .357/.358" bullets.

I have recently taken to reloading the heel bullets for the early models, partly because they are more period correct. It's a little more involved.

I just back from the range tonight where I fired some heel 150gr LRN, using 2.3gr of Bullseye. I have also reloaded the same bullets using 2.5gr of Titegroup, but I haven't shot it yet.

For the later models I've used regular .357", 125gr LRN, using 3gr of Unique.