38-40

[KCSO]

I am looking for a loads for a 38-40
92 rifle. I need to get a bullet around 1500 to make it deer legal here. I know that the old Hi Speed load went right at 1700 in a M92, but all info I can find now is Cowboy loads and I need to shoot a deer. I keep thinking that 2400 or 4227 would be a good starter, but I have no data.

[9.3X62AL]

....so start low and work up. 2400 has changed a little since this writing, as you know.

Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders, Vol. 1, pp. 488-489;

180 grain bullet (not listed as j-word or cast)--

18.0 x 2400, giving 1680 FPS

22.0 x 2400, 1870 FPS

20.0 x 4227 (which one not given) 1650 FPS

26.0 x 4227 1850 FPS

From Vol. 2, pp. 476--

180 grain bullet--

18.0 x 4759 1765 FPS

Hope that helps, sir.

[45 2.1]

From Lyman #44 manual:
38-40 20" M92
172 gr. #40143 or #40188

Unique 6.8 gr./1190 fps to 10.2 gr./1582 fps
2400 17.0 gr./1249 fps to 23.6 gr./1980 fps
IMR 4227 19.0 gr./1269 fps to 26.0 gr./1996 fps

I'm using the RCBS 180 gr. with 9.0 gr. Unique in rifle and pistol

[woody1]

From Phil Sparpe, Complete Guide To Handloading:
180 lead - Hercules 2400 21.0 gr. 1715 fps @ 14,000 psi
23.6 gr. 1940 fps @ 20,000 psi
Unique top listed load 10.2 gr 1555 fps @ 16,000 psi
HTH. Regards, Woody

[w30wcf]

KSCO,

A few years back we were testing .38-40 loads in a friends 1889 Marlin rifle (24" barrel). We used Hodgdon 4227 powder and Federal 155 primers exclusively.

In checking my notes, I find that 18.0 grs of powder = an average of:
1,538 f.p.s. with Lyman's 40143 / 180 gr cast bullet (ww+2% tin)
1,440 f.p.s. with Hornady's 180 gr. 10MM hollow point bullet

Have fun!
w30wcf

[DOUBLEJK]

Watch those loads of 2400 over 20 grains....Ken Waters was seperating cases on the 1st loading at 22 grains of old H2400 and it is milder than the new Alliant 2400
I chronoed some loads in mine today and here's the numbers...
.................................................. .....Ruger BH 6 1/2"........Win 92 20"
Win. Factory 180gr JSP...........................818 fps.................1206 fps
Ultramax Fact. 180gr Lead RNFP.............768 fps...................984 fps
RCBS180CM 13.0 AA#7 CCI300............1000 fps.................1402 fps
RCBS180CM 13.5 AA#7 CCI300............1109 fps.................1424 fps

Average of 5 shots of each load...
I need to redo those 13.5gr loads in the 92 as results are not consistant with the gain in the revolver for the additional .5gr of powder...IMO it also is a max load for AA#7 as case expansion was .0005" over factory and intended only for the stronger action guns such as these...too reach the old HV loads at 1700 er so is going to need a slower powder I'm going to use some of my hoarded old H2400 and AA#9 next and then AA#1680....:)

[KCSO]

Thanks for all the help. This makes me sorry I got rid of most of the old reloading manuals I had. I don't intend to go any higher in velocity than I need to to be legal, so 1600 will be my limit.