I have read all the earlier threads on the 38/44 target and learned that there is also a common misconception between the pre 1900 38/44 target and aprox 1950 38-44HD, predesessor to the 357magnum.
I have reproduced the 38/44 pre 1900 Black Powder reload in the following manner:
1- Turned down 357 maximum brass to fit flush in the cylinder of my 38/44 target top break revolver.
2- After seating a small pistol primer I filled the brass with 17grns. of fffG.
3- I seated a 158grns RN bullet with natural lube for Black Powder. I used an obsolete 45 colt die with a 38spl stem inside,
all in order to seat the bullet flush with the front of the brass.
The BP was compressed some with the bullet. See the pic`s.
Coments are welcome.. and a range report is yet to come..

Attached Images

	38.44target.jpg (178.3 KB, 133 views)
	reloads38.44.jpg (141.6 KB, 154 views)
	Flush38.44.jpg (106.9 KB, 121 views)

Try some wadcutter bullets too... You may want to try some of the blackpowder replacements like Pioneer Powder, Triple 777, etc.. Much easier to clean up afterwards.. I use a case full of 777 and a 300grain bullet in my 45/70's.. Not much kick and a blast for anyone to shoot.. Good luck.

I did much the same except I never got around to trying real black powder before selling the gun to a collector.
The old Black Mag 3 substitute shot just fine, though.
Strangely, it grouped tighter than smokeless but while nitro shot to the sights, the Black Mag load was nowhere close to zero.

I did a previous test shooting 38spl. with 17 grns. fffG under the 158grns. RN bullet. did something like 90+ p. in a 10shot string at 25meters = 25+ yards. That is OK, but I am looking for ways to improve that score! And I want to participate in the Nordic MLAIC class "Smith & Wesson original", that is why there will be no BP substitutes! A way I might improve is by using the old pre 1900 38/44target load or similar. It was cind of easy to reload once I got the die/stem part figured out. I will take the old target top brake to the range tonorrow, and a small range report will follow.

This may be old news, but the original load was 20 grains of powder under a 146 grain round nose bullet. (The "gallery" load was 6 grains of powder under a 70 grain round ball.)

Ralph Tremaine

And this may be a figment of my imagination, but my best recollection is the typical range for "the hot load" was 50 yards------60 feet for the gallery load.

I'm lovin' this one ! Wanted to try this since I found out about the similarity of case dimensions all those years back. Trouble is, I've never found a .38-44 Target I could afford.
Looking forward to that range report.

Larry

One final observation-------------the round nose bullet is seated .040" down in the case-----not flush with the end of the case. (U.M.C. factory round). I reckon the round ball load is seated deep within the case-----which makes sense, but I've never seen one.

Ralph Tremaine

Well I did take the old Top Brake 38-44 target to the range yesterday and WOW, was I positively impressed. I do know that my load is differing from the original in a heavier bullet and a slightly less powder. But the results are promissing to say the least. some of the groups averaged around 1.5" at 25 yards, that is when the nut behind the grips did he`s job! I was at this time only shooting onehanded. The grouping was a little off to the left, I will remedy that by slightly adjusting the rearsight. More to come!
This is fun!!