Highwall in 38 EX|Page 5|Winchester Hunting, Shooting & Reloading|Forum|Winchester Collector

I shot the 6 rounds today and was able to get the data on my Lab Radar chronograph.  All cartridges were loaded with 23 grains of IMR 4198.  Case 1 used a .380″ bullet and the other 5 used .379″ bullets.

    Bullet weight     Filler            Speed

1.  212.2 grains,  1/4 of a wad, 1,370 fps 

2.  202.82 grains, 1/4 of a wad, 1,341 fps

3.  204.04 grains, 1/4 of a wad, 1,394 fps

4.  212.42 grains, 1/2 of a wad, 1,403 fps

5.  213.72 grains, 1/2 of a wad, 1,394 fps

6.  212.14 grains, 3/4 of a wad, 1,356 fps 

All of the cartridges loaded but I had to push them in.  All the fired cases ejected but were very tight.  Except #4, it stuck and I had to knock it out.  So obviously I am getting more pressure than the black powder loads produced.

CAnthony said

I’m appreciative Chuck,
I’m also in agreement, as a 40 EX. would be nice, but not at a King’s ransom!
Anthony
  

Anthony,  I came home from Vegas with a box of original Win 38 EX ammo, some 405 basic 3 1/4″ cases and a 40 EX rifle.  When I can I’ll take some pictures.

Here is the data from yesterdays shots.  I dropped the charge 1 grain to 22 grs of 4198.  No problems loading, ejecting and no pressure signs.

Here is a picture of the 40 EX I bought.  The case color is brighter in the picture.  It does not letter with the Beach front sight nor the vernier tang sight.  I messed around with a case last night.  I’m going to have to squeeze these too but not as much.  Case isn’t pretty but it goes in. 

Bert H. said
Have you slugged the bore of that 40 EX yet?  I am curious what it actually measures.
Bert
  

No. I have been so busy.  I just can’t catch up.  But I did take it apart.  Nothing inside except on the barrel there is LL that may be 11’s.  I measured the barrel diameter.    Muzzle – 1.052″,  Receiver end – 1.155″.   Denny told me that some of the early #4 barrels were larger?

Thanks.  All I know is that it is a heavy rifle. 

Thanks, still a learning curve without the serial number.  I found it, highlighted the area, saved and printed it.

Here is the chrono results. 

The first 2 were loaded with 22 grains of 4198.  1350 and 1274 fps.

The second 2 had 22.25 grains, 1321 and 1249 fps.

An the last 2 had 22.5 grains, 1352 and 1363 fps.

The 2 with the 22.5 grains caused the ejection to get harder.   

So I’m going to use 22.25 grains for now and may adjust as I shoot these some more.  The temperature was 74 degrees.   I need to test these again when the temp is in the 90’s and in the 60’s.  The 50 degree weather into the 60’s I can probably add some powder.  But the 90’s I may have to lower the charge. 

Bert H. said

Chuck,
You are nowhere near the factory original velocity for the 38 Express, which leads me to believe that you are nowhere near the nominal pressure.  What do the primers look like on the cases (pre & post firing) with the sticky extraction (pictures) ?
Bert
  

The factory velocity is more but it was with black powder.  Black powder creates less chamber pressure.  I didn’t take pictures of the primers but some were starting to back out.  When I have to use a cleaning rod to knock out the brass that is clear sign of over pressure.  The documents I have say I should be around 1450 fps with the 4198.  But I won’t get that fast without over pressuring this rifle.