Silver Sam, SASS #34718L Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 I've loaded tons of 38WCF smokeless with, Titegroup (I'm real low on), Trailboss (I'm out of) and Clays (Is all gone too).... and Lots of Real BP & Subs..... I've got good load data on all of those powders. Now I need to load up some more Smokeless Cowboy 38/40 Loads, And looking in my Powder Magazine, I have several lbs of Winchester WST that's just begging to get used. I suspect it would work very well in 38WCF.... I've used it in 357, 38 spl, 38 Super, 45 ACP and a few others. But, I'm having a hard time finding any WST load info on 38WCF ........... Anybody wanna share your knowledge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe, SASS #60708 Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 Published data for .38-40 is a little tough to find. I'll make a qualified recommendation from having worked with WST for quite a while in .45 Colt, .45 auto,. and Cowboy .45 Special loads, First, a pretty comparable cartridge is the 44-40. GMDR site has some tested data for lead bullets in .44-40. Here's their data as an attachment. A real safe range from this WST load data for .44-40 and 200 grain cast bullet is 5 to 6 grains of WST. The similar bullet weight in 38-40 cartridges would be a 180 grain cast bullet. These two cartridges have a very similar form factor and pressure limits, but the .38-40 is smaller volume. WST is a little slower burn rate than Titegroup with maybe 6 SG/pistol powders between them. Based on all this, I'd feel very safe starting your .38-40 load with the 180 grain slug at 4.5 grains of WST. Then work toward whatever goal you have in mind - lighter, perhaps lighter slug, or heavier with higher powder weights. A chronograph would be real handy to keep you at moderate (700-900 FPS) velocities. Reading primers and comparing to what you were getting with Titegroup would be real important. I find that WST and Titegroup load to almost the same weight to get same performance in .45 Colt and .45 auto cartridges. Both are moderate to high-nitroglycerin content double base flattened ball powders. So, back down 10% or 20% from your favorite weight of TG and test that for a starting WST load. Of course, that would be my guess. For you , it's just food for thought. Good luck, GJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Jones, SASS 2263 Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 The other approach might be to call Hodgdon and speak to a tech. They might be able to give you some info, as well. They are usually helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkey Flats Jack Posted September 22, 2020 Share Posted September 22, 2020 Best I can do is tell you I run 5 grains of wst in 44/40, 44 spl, and 45 all with 200 grain lead cast bullets. It's a fairly light recoil load for all of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Sam, SASS #34718L Posted September 22, 2020 Author Share Posted September 22, 2020 Tex, Thats a good idea, I'll see if they have any knowledge they want to share. GJ & TFJ, If a call to Hodgdon isn't any help...... I was already thinking that 4.5 gr would be a safe place to start. So, I believe I'll dust off my Chronograph & make up a few rounds to see what happens. Wish Me Luck!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Sam, SASS #34718L Posted September 23, 2020 Author Share Posted September 23, 2020 Well, I did call Hodgdon and their suggestion was "Dont Do It" He said the case volume of 38WCF is too long & too large for WST And I would probably get very inconsistent results or possibly worse. I suspect some of that was "Lawyer Talk" that they are instructed to give out. BUT, I'll go another route anywho............... Thanks for the Help ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L Posted September 24, 2020 Share Posted September 24, 2020 7 hours ago, Silver Sam, SASS #34718L said: Well, I did call Hodgdon and their suggestion was "Dont Do It" He said the case volume of 38WCF is too long & too large for WST And I would probably get very inconsistent results or possibly worse. I suspect some of that was "Lawyer Talk" that they are instructed to give out. BUT, I'll go another route anywho............... Thanks for the Help ! Wow, 38WCF is not longer or larger than 44WCF and someone has developed loads for it. Good luck and I'm interested in what you work out. You can send a PM if you don't want to post. Scout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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