March
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Who's Online Now
5 members (DaveB, bsteele, Jeremy Pearce, Ian Forrester, SKB), 791 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums10
Topics38,374
Posts544,009
Members14,391
Most Online1,131
Jan 21st, 2024
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
#595833 04/21/21 02:06 PM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 965
Likes: 49
Sidelock
*
OP Offline
Sidelock
*

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 965
Likes: 49
I recently found a H&H Long 380 CF marked Rook rifle. The gun needed a little work but the price was right.
I purchased the rifle and am in the process of putting it right. The good news is it has a Great bore. I thought I might have it refined for shooting the 32-20 round but it seems a shame to do this as the bore is nice.
After giving this some more thought and doing some research online I think I would like to keep this rifle original and shoot it with some hand loads.
If I understand correctly I can use shortened 38 Special cases to make the ammunition I need. What I don’t have and am needing is some lead cast bullets sized to .376.
Does anyone know where these can be purchased? I know I could purchase a special made mold but at this point I would like to avoid a large investment until I can load and test fire this rifle.
Is there a member that cast this bullet and would be willing to sell me 100 cast bullets so I can take this rifle to the range.
I would also appreciate any hints, tips, and loads for the Long 380.

[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,980
Likes: 397
SKB Online Content
Sidelock
***
Online Content
Sidelock
***

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,980
Likes: 397
I think the issue will be finding a low weight bullet in that diameter. It appears the original bullet would have been between 125 and 180 grains the best I tell. Cool old rifle!
Steve


http://www.bertramandco.com/
Booking African hunts, firearms import services

Here for the meltdowns
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 284
Likes: 25
Sidelock
Online Content
Sidelock

Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 284
Likes: 25
If you will be shooting a bullet that large in diameter in a 38 Special based case you will need a heeled bullet. Bernie Rowles at Old West Bullet Molds makes molds for them.
You might read this thread: https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?34724-Info-on-380-Rook

Last edited by HalfaDouble; 04/21/21 02:49 PM.
1 member likes this: SKB
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,980
Likes: 397
SKB Online Content
Sidelock
***
Online Content
Sidelock
***

Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,980
Likes: 397
excellent point!


http://www.bertramandco.com/
Booking African hunts, firearms import services

Here for the meltdowns
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,445
Likes: 201
Sidelock
**
Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,445
Likes: 201
My cousin uses conical bullets intended for 36 cal cap and ball revolver. The "heel" part of this bullet is very short, but since neither of us had a 38 Colt mold, we gave it a try. It works, but you have to be careful with the loaded cartridges and seat the bullets by hand. Depending on your dies you may have to crimp by removing the seating stem and "following" the bullet out of the die with a punch, to keep it in the case. We tried the hollow base wadcutter trick, but it didn't work in his case with smokeless powder. It may work with black powder, but I don't use it in cartridge guns.
Mike

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 965
Likes: 49
Sidelock
*
OP Offline
Sidelock
*

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 965
Likes: 49
Thanks for the feedback and information thus far. I may end up buying the mold but would really like to purchase some cast bullets if a member has some they could spare and sell me.

Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 204
Sidelock
**
Offline
Sidelock
**

Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 7,444
Likes: 204
I would consider going to Accuratemolds and getting a single mold for a best guess two different designs and specify the band diameters you want. It would be the equivalent of two custom molds for a very modest price. I think if there is nothing inherently wrong with the rifle or how the load is measured up to the rifle, it'll shoot to reasonable expectations. In the best of times, it is a specialty, low volume item for a semi-custom casting outfit, in these times, component availability might put the project will go on hold for a while. Best of luck with it.

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 965
Likes: 49
Sidelock
*
OP Offline
Sidelock
*

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 965
Likes: 49
T looks like Old West Bullet Molds makes and sells some bullets that might work perfect for what I am trying to do.

[Linked Image from jpgbox.com]

Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 886
Likes: 351
Sidelock
Offline
Sidelock

Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 886
Likes: 351
A thumb seated .375” or .380” swaged round ball ( as made for .36 cap and ball revolvers) in the case mouth with a light charge might well give you minute of Rook or tin can at short range. You could try pre-lubing them with Lee’s liquid alox.

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 965
Likes: 49
Sidelock
*
OP Offline
Sidelock
*

Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 965
Likes: 49
Thank you guys. I am ordering some 125 .375 heeled bullets and will give this thing a go. I have limited reloading experience but will take it slow, read as well as ask questions.

Best Regards
GHOSTRIDER

Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

Link Copied to Clipboard

doublegunshop.com home | Welcome | Sponsors & Advertisers | DoubleGun Rack | Doublegun Book Rack

Order or request info | Other Useful Information

Updated every minute of everyday!


Copyright (c) 1993 - 2024 doublegunshop.com. All rights reserved. doublegunshop.com - Bloomfield, NY 14469. USA These materials are provided by doublegunshop.com as a service to its customers and may be used for informational purposes only. doublegunshop.com assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in these materials. THESE MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANT-ABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. doublegunshop.com further does not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these materials. doublegunshop.com shall not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including without limitation, lost revenues or lost profits, which may result from the use of these materials. doublegunshop.com may make changes to these materials, or to the products described therein, at any time without notice. doublegunshop.com makes no commitment to update the information contained herein. This is a public un-moderated forum participate at your own risk.

Note: The posting of Copyrighted material on this forum is prohibited without prior written consent of the Copyright holder. For specifics on Copyright Law and restrictions refer to: http://www.copyright.gov/laws/ - doublegunshop.com will not monitor nor will they be held liable for copyright violations presented on the BBS which is an open and un-moderated public forum.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.0.33-0+deb9u11+hw1 Page Time: 0.079s Queries: 36 (0.054s) Memory: 0.8490 MB (Peak: 1.8988 MB) Data Comp: Off Server Time: 2024-03-28 20:27:20 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS