I have a Winchester '92 in .38-40 and have been using 5.0 grns of Trailboss under a 180grn lead boolet with very good results. Well the last time I reloaded my empty brass I decided to try a load suggested by several folks here using Unique. So I loaded up 10 rounds using 8.0 grns to see how they would do. Holy cow, what a difference! 5 shot groups went from 3.0" at 25 yds to overlapping shots. My brother also has a '92 and he had the same results when shot from his rifle. I guess these old gals really like them coming out a little faster. I don't have a chrony but the Trailboss data shows 600-800fps for 4.5 grn-5.5 grn loads. My old Lyman book shows 1190fps for 8.0 grn of Unique. Could it be that the Unique load is closer in vel. to a BP load which might explain the improvement in accuracy? Does anyone know what kind of velocity a holy black load would produce from this caliber? I would like to know.
My brother and I are having a blast (no pun intended) shooting these old rifles. He also has a '73 in .38-40 an it's a peach as well. I've been hoping to add a Winchester or Marling in .25-20 to my collection, if I can find one at a half way decent price that is.