.38 Special 110g Black Powder?

[Rube Burrows]

I have been thinking about loading up some black powder loads for the 51 Navy Conversions.

I don’t shoot the holy black in a cartridge really so I was wondering what kind of powder charge would be good for 38 special and the 110 grain bullets that I have?

I know many say just cram it full of powder and push the bullet on it and it’s good but is it really?

[Abilene]

Yeah, pretty much.  Put enough BP in the case so that the bullet will compress it 1/16" to 1/8" or more.  Amount not critical.  People that use fillers in .38's are wimps that should have their BP Card taken away, IMO 

I mostly load 125gr bullets in .38's.  Approximately 18-20gr by weight of FFFg BP.

BTW, when I first saw the title of this post, I was thinking that there's no way you are going to get 110gr of BP in a .38, I don't care how good your compression die is. 

[Rube Burrows]

Yeah, pretty much.  Put enough BP in the case so that the bullet will compress it 1/16" to 1/8" or more.  Amount not critical.  People that use fillers in .38's are wimps that should have their BP Card taken away, IMO 

I mostly load 125gr bullets in .38's.  Approximately 18-20gr by weight of FFFg BP.

BTW, when I first saw the title of this post, I was thinking that there's no way you are going to get 110gr of BP in a .38, I don't care how good your compression die is. 

  Definitely not 110 grains of BP. Thanks for the info. I have just been wa ting to try some BP rounds in my RM conversions.

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[Abilene]

If you are talking real BP, the main obstacle is the soft lube required.  HOWEVER, in pistol you can get away with any old bullets.  I've been shooting unlubed bullets in my BP pistol rounds in several calibers for over 20 years, by squirting butter flavored Crisco over the first two rounds to fire after loading the cylinder.  To use a phrase Coffinmaker likes, "works a treat."  Although Coffinmaker would suggest APP, but you will miss the flame. 

[Rube Burrows]

If you are talking real BP, the main obstacle is the soft lube required.  HOWEVER, in pistol you can get away with any old bullets.  I've been shooting unlubed bullets in my BP pistol rounds in several calibers for over 20 years, by squirting butter flavored Crisco over the first two rounds to fire after loading the cylinder.  To use a phrase Coffinmaker likes, "works a treat."  Although Coffinmaker would suggest APP, but you will miss the flame. 

You spray the bullet of the made up round?
I dont have any APP but do have some Goex and Graff And Son 3f

[Abilene]

After loading 5 in the cylinder, I squeeze a blob of butter flavored Crisco over the first two bullets, after loading them into the cylinder.  Similar to lubing over the ball on a cap and ball.  I've heard of some people dipping the nose of a round into some type of lube before loading into the cylinder, but that seems messy.

[Coffinmaker]

  Hey! Rube!! 

PLUS ONE for Abilene.  The amount of Black Powder (Nothing Holy about the stuff) really is immaterial.  BP likes a bit of compression for good ignition and it doesn't matter the bullet weight.  Regardless of bullet weight, enough powder in the case for a little compression.  Deeper seating bullet, tad less powder.  No requirement for precise with BP.

Clean-up with Water (universal BP solvent) or PAM (Hydrogen Peroxide - Denatured Alcohol - Murphy Oil Soap in equal measures).

The Dark Side!!  Resistance is Futile.  You WILL be assimilated 

[Rube Burrows]

I ended up going with a 1.3cc Lee dipper that throws approximately 21.5 grains of BP and that almost fills up the 38 special case leaving just enough room to have some decent compression with the 110 grain bullet.

Hopefully shooting them today.

[Bunk]

Make powder last with the .38 (Short) Colt cartridge. About 10 to 12 grains FFFg with  a 124 grain bullet.
It was the load for the '51 Navy Richards Mason 1872 conversion.
It will work in a .38 Special it is just a pretty small (0.765") case but with enough power to shatter pure lead bullets at 20 yards on steel targets.
Making smoke
when it cools a bit
Bunk

[leatherjunkie]

instead of grease over the bullets use a pre lubed wad under bullet.
use a 36 cal prelubed wad between the powder and bullet in cartridge like you would load the bp cylinder.
the wad will help to use less powder but still plenty of smoke n fire.
i have loaded hodgdon 777 2f in my 38s with a 125 bullet. switched over to goex as its just more fun to shoot.

[Rube Burrows]

Make powder last with the .38 (Short) Colt cartridge. About 10 to 12 grains FFFg with  a 124 grain bullet.
It was the load for the '51 Navy Richards Mason 1872 conversion.
It will work in a .38 Special it is just a pretty small (0.765") case but with enough power to shatter pure lead bullets at 20 yards on steel targets.
Making smoke
when it cools a bit
Bunk

I didn’t know that. Thanks for the info.