.38 Short Colt

[Bunk]

Is anyone working with the .38 Short Colt  in an 1851 Colt Navy using the .375" bore?
Black gunpowder, of course, and the Colt paper cartridge 124 grain heel bullet.
About 10 grains of FFFg comes right to the bullet  base.
Am I on the right track? I did not reline the barrel and can shoot cartridges using the Krist conversion with the above load or as cap and ball 20 grains FFFg and a lube wad and ball.
Comments or suggestions please
Stay safe
Bunk

[Lucky R. K.]

I have a pair of Pietta '51's with conversion cylinders that I shoot with a 125 grain bullet and about .355 in diameter. That combination works fine with the larger bore for the cowboy distances we shoot. I suspect that at at longer distances it would not work so well.
Lucky 

[Bunk]

Thanks Lucky
I tried a few .358" .38 Special bullets. They went sort of '"out there some where" but it is doubtful that would work even at CAS ranges.
Three out of five hits on an IDPA target at 20 yards is not exactly tack driving.
The barrel on this 1851 is .375" and can shoot cartridge or percussion.
Held Center
Whoops!
Bunk

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Based in the kiss principle, you might want to try hollow base wadcutters. Seat them out to comply with the "visible lead rule" and to allow for a reasonable powder load.

[Coffinmaker]

  Sir Charles 

I'm in your camp.  Basically because I'm lazy and have an affinity for bright shiny objects.

I was the first kid on my block to get the then Brandy Knew-Two-Ewe Capt. Schaeffer replicas from EMF.  .36 and fine shooting Cap Gains with 4 inch barrels.  Then, whilst perusing around, I happened upon Old West Conversions web page (was R&D) and right there on the front, for all to see was a swell Capt. Schaeffer with a bright shiny conversion cylinder.  This resulted in instant lust and the immediate expenditure of my allowance.

I run them with .38 cases and 148Gr Hollow Base Wadcutters.  Very acceptable accuracy.  Super fun.  I'd try .38 Short cases, but with HBWC don't think I could get enough propellent to make smoke standard.  Oh Well.


Remember!!  People ARE Hazardous to Yer Health!!

[Montana Slim]

Lots of background with .375 bore converted Pietta Navys & original Colt RM 1861 Navy. All those having 71/2" barrels. 148 gr HB wad cutters were simplist to construct, bullet completely expands to bore & quite accurate, hitting steel plates out to 50 yd. Loaded into 38 special brass, no problem meet smoke or power needed for knockdowns. Unlike others, my experience was no problem hitting cowboy steel out to 25 yds (max) with .359 cast lead bullets - rattling down the bore - 7 1/2" barrels 😉

Regards,
Slim

[Roosterman]

Lots of background with .375 bore converted Pietta Navys & original Colt RM 1861 Navy. All those having 71/2" barrels. 148 gr HB wad cutters were simplist to construct, bullet completely expands to bore & quite accurate, hitting steel plates out to 50 yd. Loaded into 38 special brass, no problem meet smoke or power needed for knockdowns. Unlike others, my experience was no problem hitting cowboy steel out to 25 yds (max) with .359 cast lead bullets - rattling down the bore - 7 1/2" barrels 😉

Regards,
Slim

DITTO. Wad cutters here and 38 special brass. I smear some lube over the end of the cylinder just like a C&B revolver.