Heavier Boolits in the .38-40?

[bowfin]

Okay, this is to be used in a .401 Herter Powermag with a swap out .38-40 cylinder.

The boolit is a 225 grain Accurate .41 mold cut to .403" dimensions.

My first theory is to use Glen Fryxell's midrange load of 10.0 grains of HS-6 for 1,014 feet per second.

I believe the revolver is as strong as a Ruger Blackhawk. My concern is the Starline brass strong enough to use .401 loading data?

Any comments, insight, experiences, conjectures, or data appreciated.

[fcvan]

Read up on warmer loads for the 38-40 written by John Taffin. I too use Starline brass, both in my 38-40 and .45 Colt Vaqueros, and have pushed them both performance wise. Something I read on here really opened my eyes. The case is just a gasket, the chamber contains the pressure. Starline makes pretty good 38-40 gaskets, and the Vaquero chambers are strong enough to contain the pressure. I too would like a 220 ish boolit and feel that 1200 fps would be more than adequate.

All I have in 40 at the moment is the Lee 401-145 SWC and the 401-175 TC. I have pushed both of those boolits to about 1200 fps and they shot very well. More recently I've been playing with +P loads in the .45 Colt through my Vaquero and my H&R 1871 Classic Carbine. I have a lot more molds for .45 and a plain base gas check maker that works great. I may have to get a plain base Checkmaker in 40 now, just because!

[Piedmont]

It seems to me the big problem with .38-40 and heavy bullets is seating the base below the neck of the chamber. If you load hot enough for base obturation, it will obturate into the shoulder and have to swage back down. Seems like your .401 cylinder would be much better for the heavy bullets.