The Black Hills / Kirst / EMF .38 Colt ammunition project begins!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I have to admit that I am really Jonesing to get the bullets and load them up.  I REALLY like how sleek and slick the 1851s point.  I'll need to put taller front sights on them, but thats OK.  I might just load up some 148 HBWCs in the .38 colt cases to get a feel of what it will be like.

Blade front sights work great and look fairly historically correct. It doesn't even have to be that tall on a .38.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

NICE!  Was that originally a Dance Brothers percussion, or did you do it yourself from an 1851?

[Marshal Will Wingam]

It's actually a Uberti Leech & Rigdon. Didn't even have to make the barrel round. It still has the recoil shields but the sides may yet get flattened to become a Dance. For now it's an L&R. I did cut it to 6", which I feel is the ideal length.

[Coffinmaker]

  NO FAIR   

Not fair atall you guys.  You're causing a nasty itch.  I'm beginning to get the itch to build a pair of 1851 conversions (again).  I currently shoot a pair of Capt. Schaeffer replicas from Pietta with R&D conversion cylinders innem.  they run particularly fine and are actually quite accurate.  I load them with 38Spl cases and 148Gr Hollow Base Wadcutters.

Of course, there is entirely too much steel left on the end of those Conversion Barrels you guys have.     Way Too much.  I only have one pair of 1860 Conversions left, and I naturally have cut the barrel to the same length as the Ejector Assembly.     They balance very nicely at that length.   

There is however, nothing "economic" about setting out from square one to "build" a pair of 1851 conversions.  After sourcing the donor guns and the Kirst Konverter parts, one can be investing some serious folding money.  Especially if one opts for the Kirst "Saber River" set (for 1860s).  Tiz however, serious FUN.

Play Safe Out There - People are Hazardous to yer Health!!

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I really hope this 150 grain hollow base round nose bullet works out.  There is literally no one offering it except Buffalo Arms, and Dave only offers it in their hand crafted, hand cast bullet ammo, which they are 6 months behind on because he can't get components.

I have a bunch of 148 grain, soft lead wadcutters that work well in the bore, but are a pain in the butt to load.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

There is a local match a week from Saturday.  I have some factory Black Hills .38 special HBWC left.  I'll probably use the pair of Kirst Konverted 1851s at that match and give them a whirl....

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Sounds like fun to be had. Looking forward to hearing your report on them.

How long will it be before the hollow base bullets will be available?

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Well, Steve at Bear Creek has an original I sent him and is working on adapting the core of his 148 HBWC and re-working it into a 150 grain RNFP hollow base that can be used in .38/,357 pistols and rifles also!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Sounds like it could work out good.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

It really is amazing how close to originals the Kirst Konverters are!

My Kirst 1851 Richards .38 Colt conversions:



Original 1851 Richards .38 Colt conversions:

[Coffinmaker]

  TL 

You Betcha.  The Kirst Converter for the 1851 is really good.  It is a "cross" between a Richards and a Richards-Mason but is just soooo darn'd close.  I really like them.

I still don't really know what I agreed to sell the last pair I built.  Silly thing to do.

Play Safe Out There

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Looks like the Bear Creek 150 grain, .357 RN hollow base bullet is a go.  Just talked to Steve at Bear Creek.  The mould is made, just waiting for a big shipment of lead.  I should have a trial run in 2-3 weeks!  I am EXCITED!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Very cool! 150 grain will work beautifully. Looking forward to hearing the results. Will he make them soft lead so they expand easily in conversions?

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I am thinking 3.5 to 4 grains of WW231 or Unique, loaded long in the .38 Colt Case, closer to .38 Spcl. OAL.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

It'll be interesting to hear how that works out. The loading data is really scant for that caliber.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Yep. The meager data says 3.3 grains but I know from the healed bullets it is a mouse fart load.  The 38 special is 4.8 grains.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

That makes sense. Loading long would work provided there's enough bullet around the hollow base to sufficiently crimp to, or would it not be that far extended?

[Coffinmaker]

  Ha!! 

None of the above.  A lightly compressed load of BP.  Or, APP to the base of the bullet.  None of that Heathen Fad Smokeless Stuff thank you.

Play Safe Out There

[Tuolumne Lawman]

That makes sense. Loading long would work provided there's enough bullet around the hollow base to sufficiently crimp to, or would it not be that far extended?

The 150 grain hollow base bullet is very long, and can be loaded long.  I sent Bear Creek an original 150 HBRN from a 1950s factory .38 long Colt round.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

They must have a fairly deep cavity in the hollow base. I look forward to seeing the Bear Creek ones.