This is separate from the project, so it deserves its own thread.
Decided to switch to shooting my 1851 Konversions as my main match pistols for awhile.
I'll start with loading the Bear Creek heeled 140s. My original load was 3.7 grains of Trail Boss (The healed bullet in the .38 long Colt case gives the same capacity as a 140 flat base in a .38 Special case, so I used that data). It was rupturing cases with the heeled crimp, but not in the 148 wadcutters with standard crimp. I am guessing, as I said before, that the wrinkle where the "petals" of the crimp die meet is initiating the tear. I will first try a lighter crimp, since mine was so severe. I'll also back down to about 3.4 grains. I don't want to have to back down too much, as I want as much thump asI can get from the .38 Colt.
As far as leather, my Texas Jack Slim Jim I use on my Saber River 1860 Kirst will work for the 7.5" 1851, and I ordered a El Paso Saddlery "Territorian" Slim Jim from Midway for the 4" barreled 1851. I have an Oklahoma Leather cartridge belt with 40 bullet loops on it. Typically, I load 20 .44-40s for my Henry or 1866 Carbine, and 20 of the .45 Schofields. If I weave a leather shoelace through the 20 loops I use for the 45 Schofield, the .38s should be secure enough