I want to shoot this Whitney Kennedy light frame...but - The Firearms Forum

dexterblack · 11-16-2011, 09:53 PM

It was my dad's. He got it from his dad. It is a partial octagonal .38-40. Its bore is very bright, but the receiver is full of old powder residue, dried grease, and general crud. Once it's cleaned out, lubed and reassembled, I don't want to have to take it apart every time I shoot it, but it is a black-powder cartridge rifle, so it'll get crudded up fast.

Does anyone know if any of the newer BP substitutes (like Blackhorn 209 or Black MZ) can safely and reliably be used in that cartridge without over-pressuring the gun?

I'll have to take new pictures at lower resolution; the current photo files are too big to upload.

Thanks!

toppkatt · 11-19-2011, 02:19 PM

From another thread...
Quote:
Originally Posted by dexterblack View Post
Does anyone know if BH209 is ok for BP cartridge rifles? (Not a replica: In this case, a light frame Whitney ca. 1885, .38-40)
See my #4 reply. I use it in my 1886 Winchester in caliber .45-70 made in 1887. It was my grandfathers rifle and I use it at least once a year for our club's buffalo shoot. A .40 caliber or better is required and distances of 100, 150, 200 and 300 yds. I load Blackhorn 209 for the black powder class. I've never won but have fun every year even in the January cold.
Occasionally I'll use it in the club's lever action shoot.
Just don't go overboard, you should be fine.
I might be getting a Colt Lightening pump rifle in .38-40. I never thought of using it in that rifle. I might have to try! Thanks for the idea.

Hawg · 11-19-2011, 04:58 PM

You don't have to take it apart every time. The 38-40 is a bottleneck. The neck expands enough to prevent most of the blowback you get with straight walled cases. Leave a fired case in the chamber when you clean the bore and you won't put any more in the action. What fouling you get in the action can be cleaned by swishing the action around in soapy water. let it drain a bit and spray it out liberally with WD-40 to displace what water is left. Follow that up with a liberal dose of Remoil. My 44-40 gets almost nothing but black and it hasn't been disassembled in almost two years.

TRAP55 · 11-20-2011, 01:36 PM

Trail Boss powder, foolproof to reload with, burns clean, and made for exactly what you need.

11-16-2011, 09:53 PM	#1
dexterblack Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Near the People's Republic of Boulder, CO Posts: 46	I want to shoot this Whitney Kennedy light frame...but It was my dad's. He got it from his dad. It is a partial octagonal .38-40. Its bore is very bright, but the receiver is full of old powder residue, dried grease, and general crud. Once it's cleaned out, lubed and reassembled, I don't want to have to take it apart every time I shoot it, but it is a black-powder cartridge rifle, so it'll get crudded up fast. Does anyone know if any of the newer BP substitutes (like Blackhorn 209 or Black MZ) can safely and reliably be used in that cartridge without over-pressuring the gun? I'll have to take new pictures at lower resolution; the current photo files are too big to upload. Thanks! __________________ Best Regards, Dexter Old MilSurp: 'Great hobby for a retired history teacher! -->

11-19-2011, 02:19 PM	#2
toppkatt Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 34	Re: I want to shoot this Whitney Kennedy light frame...but From another thread... Quote: Originally Posted by dexterblack View Post Does anyone know if BH209 is ok for BP cartridge rifles? (Not a replica: In this case, a light frame Whitney ca. 1885, .38-40) See my #4 reply. I use it in my 1886 Winchester in caliber .45-70 made in 1887. It was my grandfathers rifle and I use it at least once a year for our club's buffalo shoot. A .40 caliber or better is required and distances of 100, 150, 200 and 300 yds. I load Blackhorn 209 for the black powder class. I've never won but have fun every year even in the January cold. Occasionally I'll use it in the club's lever action shoot. Just don't go overboard, you should be fine. I might be getting a Colt Lightening pump rifle in .38-40. I never thought of using it in that rifle. I might have to try! Thanks for the idea.

11-19-2011, 04:58 PM	#3
Hawg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,557	Re: I want to shoot this Whitney Kennedy light frame...but You don't have to take it apart every time. The 38-40 is a bottleneck. The neck expands enough to prevent most of the blowback you get with straight walled cases. Leave a fired case in the chamber when you clean the bore and you won't put any more in the action. What fouling you get in the action can be cleaned by swishing the action around in soapy water. let it drain a bit and spray it out liberally with WD-40 to displace what water is left. Follow that up with a liberal dose of Remoil. My 44-40 gets almost nothing but black and it hasn't been disassembled in almost two years.

11-20-2011, 01:36 PM	#4
TRAP55 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Occupied Territory Of Kalifornia Posts: 1,834	Re: I want to shoot this Whitney Kennedy light frame...but Trail Boss powder, foolproof to reload with, burns clean, and made for exactly what you need. __________________ Aim small...Miss small www.mausercentral.com/forum