My 1866 Short Rifle in .38 WCF

[Tuolumne Lawman]

First off, I realize the 1866 was never chambered in .38-40.  It was also never chamber in .38 special, 44 Special, .44-40, or .45 Colt.  There is no way to have a historically correct replica because the .44 Flat has been out of print of 75 years.  You can come close with .44 Special and ,45 Schofield using a 200 grain bullet and 27 grains of FFG.  Problem is the blow back is awful with BP.  I am a fan of the .44-40 (which my Henry is in) and the .38-40, especially as BP cartridges.

I do not mind a bit that my 1866 is in .38-40, and in retrospect I prefer the cartridge to the .44 WCF just a might.  I am using almost the same Trail Boss load I use in my 44-40, except the bullet is 180 grains and the 44-40 is 200.  I use 7.0 of trail boss, which gives the 44-40 about 1120 fps.  The 180 might be a tad faster, so I am backing to 6.5 grains.

Yes I know that is above the posted loads in the manuals (where top load is only 9,000 PSI according to Hidgden/IMR, and SAAMI is 13,000 + for 38-40 and 44-40.  This is, however, based on data from Hodgden.

https://www.hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/trail-boss-reduced-loads-r_p.pdf

Using this method, I came up with a tad over 9 grains to the base of the bullet, and the starting load 70% was 6.37 grains for the starting load.  If you read the information from Hodgden, this formula works for all rifles AND PISTOLS!  Don't argu with me, argue with them.

I have tried 4.5 to 5.5 grains and it is a dismal mouse phart load. Fine for the reigning wisdom of 24x24" rifle targets at 10 yards, but not for our club. We regularly shoot turkey and ram an 50 yards at my club, and even 75 yards.  At 7.0 grains, the extreme spread is high about 100 fps, so I am dropping to 6.5 for a start (which is about minimum according to Hodgden's generic formula).

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Here it is.....

[Abilene]

...Yes I know that is above the posted loads in the manuals (where top load is only 9,000 PSI according to Hidgden/IMR, and SAAMI is 13,000 + for 38-40 and 44-40.  This is, however, based on data from Hodgden.

https://www.hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/trail-boss-reduced-loads-r_p.pdf

Using this method, I came up with a tad over 9 grains to the base of the bullet, and the starting load 70% was 6.37 grains for the starting load.  If you read the information from Hodgden, this formula works for all rifles AND PISTOLS!  Don't argu with me, argue with them...

I once sent a message to Hodgdon via their website, asking about the discrepancy between their Trailboss load data listings per cartridge versus the data derived by measuring that they show in the above link.  I did not receive an answer.

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[Tuolumne Lawman]

It boggles the mind, the discrepancy.  Hodgden's own page shows the PSI of the 5.5 grain maximum 38-40 load is 9,000 PSI (SAAMI is 13,000 or so).  

 I tried the 4.5 minimum and it was dismal.  It would not reliably take down a popper at 15 to 20 yards.  I did an experiment with Unique and Trail Boss:  5, 6, and 7 grains grains of each.  Velocities were very close, as was felt recoil for the same grain loads.   I know that Unique is slightly slower burning than Trail Boss, but I did the test from my 1860 Henry in 44-40, so a slight burn rate difference would not have as much effect.  The main thing I like about Trail Boss is that there is no position sensitivity nor can you do a double charge without overflowing the case.

My go to load for the .44-40 using Unique has always been 7.1 grains.  VERY accurate and consistent, more so than Trail Boss.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

WOW!!!!!!

Took the Short Rifle and some of the 6.5 grains Trail Boss/ Missouri Bullet 180 grain loads, and leaned on an ice chest on the back deck.  Without adjusting sights I nailed two 4" pine cones at about 80-85 yards twice in a row, each with the first shot, using a 6 o'clock hold (pine cone on top of the front sight)!  

When I got it in 2004, it was dead on out of the box. With the rear sight on the bottom setting, it was POA/POI at 100 yards using 7.1 grains Unique.  That put it about 3.5" high mid trajectory, for what I call my" 6 o'clock pop can hold"...hold 6 o'clock until 75 yards, then hold dead center.

SWEET!!!!!!!  

I still love my Henry, BUT this is more accurate, faster, and slicker than the 1860. An 1866 is almost as cool as a Henry, and is still a perfect match for a couple cartridge conversions.

[mtmarfield]

   Greetings!

   TL, the .38WCF is an old favourite of mine; I've been shooting various cast bullets in my
revolvers for years, and have no regrets!
   I see that you let go of the Henry. It was a LOT of hassle getting it to you, but I'm sure that
afterwards it was time well spent. I'd buy another identical Henry, but only in .44Spl / 'Colt'...
   If you do any bulletcasting, I'd recommend that you investigate the Lyman #401638HP;
using "Pot-Luck Range Scrap / WW" metal, they drop from my mould at about 155gr. With a
'slightly warm' charge of Unique, these bullets 'clover-leafed' out of my NS at about 20 / 25yds.
That was back when my eyeballs were screwed in tighter...
It might prove to be an impressive varmint bullet out of your 1866 with a full charge of BP!

                My Best!

                             MTM

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy MT,

If I had not gotten the 66 short rifle back, I would not have let the Henry go.  I love Henry's, but the Railroad Flat match of four days shooting the Henry about wore me out.  The difference between shooting the Henry in a match and the 38-40 1866 Short rifle is like night and day.  At this juncture I could not afford to keep both, so I chose.  When finances and health improve, I am sure I will get bit by the Henry bug again, though.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Well, Saturday will be my first match with the 38-40 Short rifle since I got it for the article in 2003 or 2004.  In fact, its probably the first time at a match since that match since my buddy never shot it in 14 years!

I will bet I am a tad faster than with the 1860 Henry!  Pics to come after the match.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

While I had the 1866 apart to fix the ladle, I checked the date code: [BU] 2004.  It must have been early 2004, since I wrote the article about it later in 2004.  I got it from EMF right after  they got it from the customs warehouse.