Does Anyone Load AUTHENTIC .44 Colt / .38 Colt Cartridges?

[The Wizard]

I am not just talking about black powder loads but also real outside lubed / heal based bullets.  Rapine use to make bullet molds for these type of bullets but they are out of business. 

[FriscoCounty]

Haven't started yet.  But plan to load up .38 Colt for my 1851 Colts.  Ordered the mold from NEI - 375-151-Heel.

[Pomona Pete]

I shoot authentic .44 Colt.  I get the bullets from Western Bullets, but you might have a bit of trouble finding the .36 heelbased.
I did buy some from GAD one time but they were of extremely bad quality.  If you are just getting started you will find that it is easier to load these cartridges than a lot of people say it is, as a matter of fact I don't see a lot of difference in them than a regular inside lubed cartridge.  Of Course, you will need to order a crimping die.  Good luck.

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[The Wizard]

Pomona Pete,

That was my next question.  Where do I get acrimpinb die that works with heel bullets?

[Lone Oak]

Been loading .38LC rounds with heeled bullets for my '51 Navy conversion for a while now. Mould and crimp die came from Bernie Rowles at Old West Bullet Moulds.   http://www.oldwestbulletmoulds.com/  For smokeless loads I just tumble lube with Rooster Jacket lube. With black powder, I first lube with SPG, then coat the entire lubed bullet with Rooster Jacket. It dries to a hard waxy finish that crud doesn't stick to and it seems to stay put over the SPG until fired.

Call Bernie, he's a good guy and I'm pretty sure he can fix you up for the .44 too.

L.O.

[Mako]

Pomona Pete,

That was my next question.  Where do I get acrimpinb die that works with heel bullets?

Wizard,
I don't know if you have found an answer yet, but here is a link to discussion of that topic a little while back.  Oldem was a wealth of information, but I see all of his pictures are no longer available.  You may try to contact him, he was very helpful to me.  I am building a new shop and don't have my loading presses even unpacked, or I could provide you some photos of crimping dies. Hoof Hearted is also an authority on the subject.

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,24202.0.html

Happy shoot'n,
Mako

[Jrw8214]

I could be wrong but i read somewhere that .38LC wasnt invented until '75. It was the .38 Short Colt that was used in the converted Navies.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I've just started to load for .41 Long Colt.  I have a spare NEW .41 cylinder for my .38-40 1896 vintage SAA. The bullet is an Old West bullet heavy heel.  So far I have not crimped, as the bullet seems to have enough neck tension by just touching the case mouth with the neck sizer.  This is enough with Starline brass to allow the bullet to slide in.

So far the results are quite good.  Only black powder, of course.

Here are two links of interest;

http://www.dnmsport.com/41LC/41%20LONG%20COLT.htm

http://harryo.sixshootercommunity.org/

[Hoof Hearted]

I am not just talking about black powder loads but also real outside lubed / heal based bullets.  Rapine use to make bullet molds for these type of bullets but they are out of business. 

Try this link:

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,24202.0.html

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Well, Hoof Hearted.  I spoke too soon.  I did a test last time out with the old girl.  Loaded six, fired five.  The sixth bullet had snuck a fair piece up the neck of the case.  I guess I need a collet crimper!

I emailled Bernie at Old West but after a week I haven't heard back.

[Pony Racer]

I have had great luck with GAD.  The gentleman there can seem a bit brash at first but has been very helpful with several turn of the century cartridges.

His heeled ammo for my 11mm french has been top notch.  I have also shot his 45-60 ammo (BP) in my 1876 carbine replica and his 8mm lebel ammo in my WW-I and WW-II French Berthier carbines.  All these have been high quality and accurate to boot!

I am still debating getting the equipment I need from Bernie Rowles to load the 11mm french ammo myself or simply convert them to 44 russian - which would be a period correct caliber to convert them into with a very similar bp load that a good turn of the century gunsmith could do for a retired officer/gentleman shooter in Europe.

PR

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

"or simply convert them to 44 russian - which would be a period correct caliber to convert them into with a very similar bp load that a good turn of the century gunsmith could do for a retired officer/gentleman shooter in Europe."

The result would be identical to the German Reichsrevolver cartridge!

[Smokin Gun]

Give Steve Brooks Molds a try they'll make you about anything.