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Thread: Best black powder for .38-40 in rifles?

  1. #1
    Boolit Mold
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    Mar 2018
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    Illinois
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    Best black powder for .38-40 in rifles?

    Hi all,

    My father and I just got a Turnbull-restored Winchester 1873 in .38-40, and want to try some BP loads for it. Neither of us have shot BP in cartridge rifles before, so this is new territory.

    What brand and granulation size powder would you recommend? I was strongly leaning towards Swiss 3F based on older threads I read, wanted to see if anyone had any experience or advice on other options.

    Thanks,
    Kip

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    That will work just fine. Main thing is to have appropriate bullets with good BP type lube.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master Don McDowell's Avatar
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    I've had good results with regular Goex 3f, Olde Eynsford 2 and 3f. The RCBS 180 gr bullet and Bullshop NASA, or SPG lube.

    Biggest problem you'll have right now is catching any real black in stock.
    Long range rules, the rest drool.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Don McDowell View Post
    I've had good results with regular Goex 3f, Olde Eynsford 2 and 3f. The RCBS 180 gr bullet and Bullshop NASA, or SPG lube.

    Biggest problem you'll have right now is catching any real black in stock.
    Agreed - might have to use whatever you can find - none of it is readily available.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nobade View Post
    That will work just fine. Main thing is to have appropriate bullets with good BP type lube.
    this !!!!!!!!

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Don McDowell View Post
    I've had good results with regular Goex 3f, Olde Eynsford 2 and 3f. The RCBS 180 gr bullet and Bullshop NASA, or SPG lube.

    Biggest problem you'll have right now is catching any real black in stock.
    Graf had Swiss 3f yesterday...

  7. #7
    Boolit Master Lead pot's Avatar
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    Jan 2006
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    Fed-X just dropped off some 1.5 Swiss here yesterday from Buff Arms

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy namsag's Avatar
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    These days I would say, whatever you can find.
    Slavin' away for the Takers - I make it, They take it.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check