.38-50 Hepburn

[Distant Thunder]

Ian,

I don't shoot a .38 BPCR but as near as I can figure if you can get about 1350 fps your 1.470" bullet should be good to go for rams. The only way to know for sure at 1K is to try it.

As far as keeping the weight up as high as possible for a given length you could do what I did with my .40-65 and go with a profile that is similar to the original Sharps .45 caliber long range paper patch bullet, keep the nose length between 40 and 45% of the OAL (closer to 40% is better) and you would have the best possible chance of success on the rams and beyond.

Even if you are set on an elliptical you should keep the nose length in the 40% range, not over 45%, and have the tip capped with a 1/3 caliber radius and you will have the best performance at any range.

That is all based on my experience and as always, YMMV!

[ian45662]

Ian,

I don't shoot a .38 BPCR but as near as I can figure if you can get about 1350 fps your 1.470" bullet should be good to go for rams. The only way to know for sure at 1K is to try it.

As far as keeping the weight up as high as possible for a given length you could do what I did with my .40-65 and go with a profile that is similar to the original Sharps .45 caliber long range paper patch bullet, keep the nose length between 40 and 45% of the OAL (closer to 40% is better) and you would have the best possible chance of success on the rams and beyond.

Even if you are set on an elliptical you should keep the nose length in the 40% range, not over 45%, and have the tip capped with a 1/3 caliber radius and you will have the best performance at any range.

That is all based on my experience and as always, YMMV!

The nose section on this one will be .695” long. What are your thoughts on that? I might be ordering another mould

[beltfed]

Ian,
I am with Jim on this
Suggest use about a 0.588' Elliptical Ogive/ 0.888" body length for a 40/60 ratio.
Also,blend the ogive into the 1/3 of diameter Hemi Meplat.
Will give more weight to the bullet and will be less susceptible to twitchy headwinds,etc
beltfed/arnie

[Kurt]

BA does not have much of a selection for the .38's and most have the HP bullet profile. That is fine if you have a fast enough twist to hold them stable. I'm with Jim on the ogive shape.
I have the 1.4" long 371-345 and I know this bullet shoots well from what I have seen Arnie and Matt shot it at 600 yards hitting the bowling pin using it, but I want a little more mass knocking the rams over at 500 mtrs or even reaching the 1K and making round holes through the paper. I will take a postell blunt elliptical radius anytime. I can always give the elevation an extra twist if I need it.
I will place a order for this and have the length at 1.4" with the proper shank diameter https://www.buffaloarms.com/bullet-molds...s.html?p=8 (361-280)

[ian45662]

Well crap!!! I might have a mould on the way that I can’t use.

[Kurt]

You won't know till you shoot it. You can always shorten it if you feel the need. It's tough to make it a little longer

Hey, it got above 10º I might go out and shoot my new shooter.

[beltfed]

Ian,
As Kurt said, try the 1.47" mold /bullet. It may shoot just fine for Silhouette's
Is it a straight sided PP bullet?
What dia, from whom?
Arnie

[ian45662]

Ian,
As Kurt said, try the 1.47" mold /bullet. It may shoot just fine for Silhouette's
Is it a straight sided PP bullet?
What dia, from whom?
Arnie

Straight sided .364 diameter so that my Seth Cole 55w should fit my .369 bore. Bullet mould is coming from Buffalo Arms.

[ian45662]

It’s funny that we are talking about this Because I just got an e mail that the mould has been sent. I might try and get out this weekend and see if they are hitting the target sideways

[Distant Thunder]

Ian,

Shooting that BACO bullet is the only real way to know for sure, there are a number of things that will determine how stable it is and remains out to whatever distance you try to shoot it. The design parameters I presented are just the ones that I myself, and others too, have found make for bullets that are easy to load with excellent accuracy and hold up well in the transonic zone especially when shooting in twitchy headwinds.

When you get on the longish side for a twist rate and velocity stability can be a little iffy. Then by having a longer, more slender nose the center of gravity moves toward the base of the bullet and that decreases the bullet's ability to remain stable as the headwinds push against the nose in flight. The faster you can push it the better it may shoot, but you know how BP is when it comes to velocity.

Since the mold is on it's way I would say work with it and see how it does, it may hold up very well out to the rams and even beyond that. There is only one way you will know the limits and that is to shoot it in some tough conditions and at longer ranges and see when and where it starts to struggle. It may surprise us all.

And besides, you can't buy just ONE mold for that .38-50!