.38 Smith and Wesson loadings

[Bugscuffle]

Hello all you darksiders. I need a little help please. I just bought a Smith and Wesson double action Top Break 2nd Model. Yeah, I know,but i can't afford a Schofield and this is as close as I can come. These guns were made between 1882 and 1884 so they only eat B.P. and I have not  clue as to Gr. RN lead bullets from Missouri Bullets and some FFFg Goex powder, alll left over (except for the Goex, that is) from loading up some .38 S&W with smokeless for a different gun that I had. All I need now is a recipe, so any help I can get would really be appreciated.

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

Bugscuffle, This will take a little experimentation but put just enough BP in the case so as to compress the bullet 1/16". I use 125 gr. lead for 9mm with this and it works great. Just make sure the bullets are pure lead so they will expand slightly upon ignition. This load is safe in my 1893 Iver Johnson top break so it should be entirely safe in your gun as well. 

HAPPY SHOOTING!
Gripmaker
www.gripmaker.com

[pony express]

I would start with what is pretty much the standard load for BP in carteidges-use enough to fill so the base of the bullet, with just a bit extra to slightly compress the powder. For most cases the powder level would be about 1/16" above where the base of the bullet will be when seated. For such a small case(and small gun)I might try for about 1/32  or so. If you want less, you'll have to use some kind of filler, maybe a wonder wad, or a pinch of cornmeal on top of the powder. Basic idea is: no airspace inside the case, slight compression of the powder,or powder+filler, seat a bullet. BP isn't complicated. Also, you may want to clean off the hard bullet lube and lube them with a suitable BP lube. BP doesn't like modern lube. I've heard of people using some kind of solvent to clean the lube off, or you can drop them in boiling water(better get your own pan, not one from the wife's kitchen)  Then just wipe on some lube by hand, crisco will work in a pinch, but if you don't shoot them fairly soon with crisco lube, it may seep into the powder and contaminate it.

[WV Scrounger]

Bugs scuffle....they gave ya good advice.  The Smith & Wesson 38 top breaks are sweet !  Here is mine:

[john boy]

All I need now is a recipe, so any help I can get would really be appreciated.

38 S&W
145gr bullet + 15grs FFFg = 700fps

[Springfield Slim]

I personally don't believe in beating up my old breaktops so I use a 110 grain BP bullet with ffg. I don't remember how much as I just fill it so it has a little compression but I'd be surprised if I could get 15 grains in there. That's how much I put in my BP 45 acp rounds and the brass is much larger.