.38-40 Ammmunition

[Mark Terry]

A good friend of mine has acquired a very early Marlin 1894 .38-40. He doesn't reload and has asked if commercially available ammunition is loaded with black powder. He seemed sure it was since the .38-40 after all, is a black powder cartridge.

I told him that unless it was specifically marked as being loaded with black power, I would be very surprised if commercial ammunition was loaded with black powder. Second guessing myself, I thought I'd quiz the folks who actually know.

Does anyone know whether commercial .38-40 ammunition is loaded with black powder (or substitute black powder)?

Yes, the Marlin is in excellent condition and yes, any opportunity to talk him out of it will be tried.

Thanks,

[sheriff]

Haven't bought any in several years, but the last I bought was Winchester and was loaded with smokeless and jacketed soft points.

[savit260]

Looks like Goex makes some BP 38-40 loaded ammo.

www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/137/1/AMMO-G-38-40-R

Don't know if I'd want to use the reduced load in a rifle, but I think they make a standard load as well.

[bigmuddy]

As noted Black Dawge ammo is loaded with Goex black powder and Black Dawge bullets that are soft and lubed with SPG. Also Winchester still makes the 180 gr. JSP that is loaded with smokeless. Also Black Hills Ammo has a lead bullet CAS load that is smokeless.

Any of these should be safe in the Marlin if it is in sound shootable condition. I have fired several of the Marlin rifles and some of them had larger bores (.403) and accuracy was not the best. I know of one that wins cowboy silhouette matches on a regular basis.

Dan