Colt 1877 ammo

[Leadeye]

Made up some home brew ammo for the 1877, the 38 Colt originally was a .375 diameter heeled bullet but I've seen some folks on the internet getting results with soft 148 grain HBWC bullets bumped up. 2.8 grains of Bullseye with a CCI SP in a shortened 38 special case, the bullet protruding slightly. I may try a regular case as the 38 special fits close and may work with the HBWC seated flush with the case mouth. Results were less than stellar, the gun functioned well in both DA and SA but groups while well centered were a foot in diameter at 20 yards.

You can see the difference in bore diameter where the bullet fits down the barrel easily in the picture. I'll keep working on this.

Turns out the 38 special case really doesn't fit at all in most of the cylinders.

 

[55fairlane]

Time to have Lee custom make a mould for your needs? Neat project keep us posted

 

[Wolfhound]

I don't have any experience with the old 38 Colts. So, the .357 HBWC when fired the base expands and engages the rifling in the .375 barrel?

 

[Leadeye]

I don't have any experience with the old 38 Colts. So, the .357 HBWC when fired the base expands and engages the rifling in the .375 barrel?

That's the idea, we fired several cartridges and had no key holes at 20 yards so there must be something to what I've read. I was expecting better accuracy although the info I read never addressed group size at any distance. Maybe I need to increase or decrease cartridge length.

 

[Wolfhound]

I would think that higher powder charges would effect the expansion but it has to remain within limits as I am sure you are aware.

 

[Leadeye]

I'm considering the higher charge as well, but I have to keep in mind that I'm shooting a 114 year old gun that was never considered a marvel of mechanical reliability.

 

[Wolfhound]

I'm considering the higher charge as well, but I have to keep in mind that I'm shooting a 114 year old gun that was never considered a marvel of mechanical reliability.

Point taken.

 

[NKBJ]

Anybody have one of those Lyman/Ideal .375 diameter percussion revolver molds?
I sold mine years ago or else I'd pony up some bullets. Sizing down the base step should be easy with soft lead.

Hey, doesn't Lee still make those .375 molds? But their's were pretty short from what I recommember.

 

[Wolfhound]

Midway has one .375 mold made by Lee. It's 130 grain 2 cavity. I think it's actually made for .36 caliber cap and ball revolvers.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/107907/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-375-130-1r-375-diameter-130-grain-1-ogive-radius-conical

 

[Leadeye]

The difficulty here is the heeled bullet design, the diameter of the bullet that rides the lands is the same as the outside, not inside, of the case. The base of the bullet fits the inside of the case up to a ledge where the outside diameter starts. Heeled bullets are fitted into the case first then lubricated externally. The 22RF is about the only remaining use of this design that goes way back into the 1800s to early cartridges.

 

[Wolfhound]

The difficulty here is the heeled bullet design, the diameter of the bullet that rides the lands is the same as the outside, not inside, of the case. The base of the bullet fits the inside of the case up to a ledge where the outside diameter starts. Heeled bullets are fitted into the case first then lubricated externally. The 22RF is about the only remaining use of this design that goes way back into the 1800s to early cartridges.

Well, I just learned something.

 

[Leadeye]

Did some more work with this ammo. Gave the chambers a rigorous cleaning after learning that 1877 chambers are bored straight through, this allowed the use of the 38 special case. Increased the charge to 3 grains of Bullseye and used a regular 38 special case with the 147 grain HBWC seated flush with a slight crimp. This shrank the groups from 12 inches to 4 and they are still centered, but a little high. Extraction was a little harder than I would like, but the revolver performed well considering how cold it is outside today. I'm not sure how much further I can tighten it up without going to a heeled bullet, but I'll keep working on it.

 

[NKBJ]

Midway has one .375 mold made by Lee. It's 130 grain 2 cavity. I think it's actually made for .36 caliber cap and ball revolvers.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/107907/lee-2-cavity-bullet-mold-375-130-1r-375-diameter-130-grain-1-ogive-radius-conical

Yes, they are.
The Lyman design is a longer bullet but the bearing length is about the same as the Lee.

#375083 is the Lyman design I was thinking about.
Ol' Buffalo Bullet Mold Tables

 

[NKBJ]

Leadeye,
I found some candy bar soft 375083's that were molded up a decade ago before I sold the mold.
You're welcome to them or I'll run 'em through the 1858.