.38spl loading for rifle

[6MT]

I am wondering if anyone can help with some suggestions for a load for a 1873 rifle. I have been shooting .357mag with this rifle for years, but I would like to try the .38spl with a 125gr FCP/TC bullet and TiteGroup powder. This is not for CAS, but rather for a mild to moderate plinking load.

Finding info for the .38spl for rifle has proven frustrating. Even Steve’s Reloading Pages don’t show anything for rifle.

Presently, I load 4.4gr of TiteGroup for a Uberti Colt clone 5” with the 125gr bullet for .38spl. It’s such a pleasant shooter, that I also load the same thing for my S&W 686-plus 6”. I would really like to try the .38spl in my Winchester 1873 rifle.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Andy 6MT

[August]

Use that bullet in your rifle.  I do.  3.5 grains titegroup, however.

[River City John]

In the rifle use that powder/bullet combination but loaded in .357 brass if the carrier lifter may be sensitive to cartridge length. Experimenting will let you know.

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[6MT]

I had some thoughts about trying the same load as the revolvers. Thank you for the advice. And I’ll also look to see how the shorter case cycles in my Winchester too.

Thanks!

Andy 6MT

[Abilene]

Lots of folks shoot the 125gr TC in a .38 in '73's, no problemo!  The pistol round should be fine.
EXCEPT:  Hodgdon's data for that load with Titegroup is 3.2 gr minimum and 3.8 gr maximum.  Your 4.4 gr is quite a bit over that, pleasant shooting or not.

[FriscoCountyWolfy]

that’s +p with a jacketed bullet

[6MT]

Lots of folks shoot the 125gr TC in a .38 in '73's, no problemo!  The pistol round should be fine.
EXCEPT:  Hodgdon's data for that load with Titegroup is 3.2 gr minimum and 3.8 gr maximum.  Your 4.4 gr is quite a bit over that, pleasant shooting or not.

Well, I chose 4.4gr of TiteGroup initially because I was using XTP’s. Hodgdon shows min at 4.3gr and max at 4.6gr. That load you mentioned is for cast 125gr bullets.

[Froogal]

My Henry big boy in .357, and my Rossi .38/.357 both handle .38 special OR .357 equally well as do the Ruger Vaquero and Cimarron revolvers. I use the same ammo in both rifles and handguns.

[Coffinmaker]

   6MT   

Prior to seeing the light and tossing that Heathen Fad Smokeless Stuff, for several Lustrum I shot 38Spl cases in all of my Uberti Toggle Link Guns. 

I had absolutely NO problems when running 3.2Gr TightGroup . . . 105Gr or 125Gr Truncated Cone bullets, crimped in the crimp groove.  Go for it.

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