38-40 & 10mm

[Lee D.]

I had an interesting conversation Sunday.  We got talking guns and he says he can't get anyone to handload some 10mm bullets into 38-40 cases for his Ruger rev. He pariculary wants them because he wants to use hollw points and apparently the only bullets specifically made for the 38-40 are lead round nose. The 2 people he asked insisted that it can't be done.  Another guy overheard us talking and jumped right in with the same opinion.  I started to argue with him but his mind was made up so I just waited until he walked away and we resumed our conversation.

[Iowegan]

The 38-40 Winchester uses a standard 40 cal bullet (.400), same as a 40 S&W or a 10mm Auto. These bullets will work fine in a 38-40 and will give you plenty of weights and styles to choose from. Make sure you select loads from a reputable source such as a good reloading manual.

The old black powder cartridge designations usually had the bullet diameter first and the black powder charge second. ie: 45-70 is a 45 cal bullet with 70 grains of black powder. The 38-40 is an exception. It has a 40 cal bullet and 38 grains of black powder. "Forty - thirty eight" just doesn't roll off the lips as well.

[Flint]

The only physical difference between a 38WCF (38-40) bullet and a 40 S&W or 10mm bullet is the crimping groove, missing from the automatic bullet.  If you load a 10mm bullet in a 38-40, you would have to taper crimp it.  The standard bullet weights, in the 170 and 180 grain area are the same.

[Blackhawk44]

Even better, just get a Lee Factory Crimp die.  No need for cannelures.  If you taper crimp, it will keep them from being pushed back into the case but won't help if the bullets are pulling their crimp from recoil.