.375 Contender with mu .38-55 BP loads

[blackpowder man]

I have a new to me contender carbine with a 16.25 inch barrel. I used to have a 94 BB in .375 as well. I shoot a lot of bp loads out of my late model 1885 winchester carbine and was curious if others had tried bp loads in their contender or other faster twist .375 barrels. Would make a perfect little hunting rifle and I really enjoy the bp loads of yesterday. Plus it’s stainless.
Load details are 3 gr of 4759 and a compressed load of goex. Have to look exactly how much. Topped with the lee 250 or the rcbs bpcr bullet.
I know there’s truly only one way to find out, but it never hurts to learn from others experiences.
Thanks,
Andy

[OlDeuce]

I have a new to me contender carbine with a 16.25 inch barrel. I used to have a 94 BB in .375 as well. I shoot a lot of bp loads out of my late model 1885 winchester carbine and was curious if others had tried bp loads in their contender or other faster twist .375 barrels. Would make a perfect little hunting rifle and I really enjoy the bp loads of yesterday. Plus it’s stainless.
Load details are 3 gr of 4759 and a compressed load of goex. Have to look exactly how much. Topped with the lee 250 or the rcbs bpcr bullet.
I know there’s truly only one way to find out, but it never hurts to learn from others experiences.
Thanks,
Andy

Andy I have shot BP in my TC carbine ! 1:20 twist 209gr RN 54gr 3fff GOEX 1545fps Oh it's a .44x2.080 Ol Deuce

[sharps4590]

I have not worked with that cartridge and firearm combination. However, if you haven't used duplex loads, you'll like them. SR-4759 has been the best smokeless I've used for duplexing though no doubt others work. Hope you have some stashed as it is no longer made.

[OlDeuce]

I have not worked with that cartridge and firearm combination. However, if you haven't used duplex loads, you'll like them. SR-4759 has been the best smokeless I've used for duplexing though no doubt others work. Hope you have some stashed as it is no longer made.

I have SR 4759!! what is a good starting load for the SR4759??? APP 2 gr?? Ol Deuce

[sharps4590]

2 grs. might be enough, only one way to find out. I don't believe it will be too much. General thought is not to exceed 10% of the full BP charge and reduce the BP by an equal amount. I always try to stay at 5% or less and that has worked well for me, so far. Only in my 500 BPE double have I had to go as high as 8% but, 130 grs. is a lot of BP fouling to clean up. Matter of fact the only place I've had to use a duplex load is in my black powder double rifles to get the velocity required for them to regulate. I've played with them in single barrel rifles but never settled on one for my regular load as with one barrel a straight BP load has always been worked up that has been more than satisfactory.

[OlDeuce]

2 grs. might be enough, only one way to find out. I don't believe it will be too much. General thought is not to exceed 10% of the full BP charge and reduce the BP by an equal amount. I always try to stay at 5% or less and that has worked well for me, so far. Only in my 500 BPE double have I had to go as high as 8% but, 130 grs. is a lot of BP fouling to clean up. Matter of fact the only place I've had to use a duplex load is in my black powder double rifles to get the velocity required for them to regulate. I've played with them in single barrel rifles but never settled on one for my regular load as with one barrel a straight BP load has always been worked up that has been more than satisfactory.

Thanks for that bit of info!!!! Spring is coming Ill give it a try .........Ol Deuce

[OlDeuce]

Hope you have some stashed as it is no longer made.

I have only one 8oz tin ! Not much but !!!1 Ol Deuce

[blackpowder man]

I load 3 grains of 4759 in my 38-55 duplex loads and have had good success with goex FFg and FFFg. My 1885 Highwall has a slower twist rate than the T/C does so I’ll have to see if it works as well as the winchester. The 94 xtr big bore I had shot awesome with smokelss once it got a straight barrel on it. Previous owner traded in a gun with a bent barrel.....
I shot some roundballs and lee 250 grain loads today and I see lots of promise. I like it a lot. The scope only hit me in the face once. I’ll likely change out the stock, rings and base, and scope in the future.
Thabks for the replies.

[EDG]

About the bent barrel. I bought a used M94 Big Bore that had a bent barrel and a crooked front sight. Sent it to the factory and it came back with the front sight straight and another crooked barrel. So I returned it to the dealer.


I load 3 grains of 4759 in my 38-55 duplex loads and have had good success with goex FFg and FFFg. My 1885 Highwall has a slower twist rate than the T/C does so I’ll have to see if it works as well as the winchester. The 94 xtr big bore I had shot awesome with smokelss once it got a straight barrel on it. Previous owner traded in a gun with a bent barrel.....
I shot some roundballs and lee 250 grain loads today and I see lots of promise. I like it a lot. The scope only hit me in the face once. I’ll likely change out the stock, rings and base, and scope in the future.
Thabks for the replies.

[blackpowder man]

I bought a barrel from Numrich that didn’t have the high polish blue, but it was straight at least.

[TomAM]

38-55 cartridges probably fit in your 94, but don't assume that they will safely work in your Thompson.

You don't want to use a case that's shorter than the chamber.

[TCLouis]

As I recall (AND I could very well be wrong) the 38-55 is longer than the 375 Win.
Longer than the chamber is where one can start raising pressures.

[Boz330]

You have to check. I have a CSA 75 Sharps in 38-55 and it came from the factory with the shorter chamber which is the .375 brass.

Bob

[blackpowder man]

It chambers the long starline .38-55, but I will probably use blown out .30-30 brass to keep them separate from the high wall loads. I can get by without sizing then as well.