Old Soldier wrote on Feb 2^nd, 2019 at 9:26pm:


Never done them in 38-55 but have used extensively in 44-40, 45 Colt, 50-70. Worked best for me with BP. Used about one diameter larger RB than nominal correct size -- this resulted in a flat band around the ball when seated into a belled case. Better groups out to 100M with that flat band. Used felt wad over powder, some good BP lube and then RB. Crimped above that flat band. 44-40 and 45 Colt basically replicated full-load 44 C&B revolver performance, 50-70 was good out to well over 100M, much like a 50cal RB in muzzle loader.

Never tried any powder other than BPs for CAS matches. These loads could have been lighter, just by using less BP and seating RBs deeper into case.

Also deepseated light bullets over BP in 45 Colt cases, as well as with light nitro powder loads, with felt wads and lube under bullet, which was seated firmly down far enough to leave no air space. Also shot well from revolvers. Did take more time to develop these loads than simply a "full case" of BP under RBs.

My go-to 50-70 RB loads all used full case of 777FFg or sloooow nitro powder and shot close to sights on a Husqvarna kombi gun and were rather pleasant to shoot. Never tested them for head shooting grouse -- used 16X65 barrel for grouse and desert quail. Had hoped to shoot something bigger with those RB loads but none of the critter options ever presented themselves.

frnkeore wrote on Feb 4^th, 2019 at 6:57pm:


Basically same as my experience with 50-70 RB loads, where I needed .54" round balls for acceptable accuracy. This combination of 0,515" grove-to-grove barrel and 0,540" pure Pb RB resulted in a nice band of about 0,530" when seated into fireformed cases. Downrange consistancy of trajectories from shot-to-shot suggest "consistancy of velocities. Never chronoed these loads. Never tried to recover fired RBs.

I think wax bullets are available in 38 cal, would also work quite well with primer only for garage shooting. Would not recommend indoor use due to the lead in the primer dust.
Joe S

I opened some 45-70 brass up to accept 210 primers and then used my Lee molds to cast glue bullets - Place the mold in the freezer while the hot glue gun is warming, fill the mold, back to the freezer for 2 minutes, they drop nice.  If you're going to shoot many, smear a little vaseline on the bullet before seating.  I caused considerable uneasiness in the Asian dove ranks one afternoon. Indoors where there is no wind, accuracy was surprising, smoke and fouling is minimal - compared to a powder charge - although LR primers and 3 grains of Bullseye works too.

I used to do 3 round balls in the .375Win.  Grouped well at reasonable distances.  (this was at least 40 years ago.)

I just talked to a friend who has been shooting .375 balls in his Douglas barreled 38-56. He was shooting 5 gr. of Bullseye and rifle primers. He said he was shooting them into one hole at 25 yards, 1" at fifty yards, and a little over 2" at 90 yards.

JS