doublegunshop.com - home
Posted By: Ghostrider H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/21/21 06:06 PM
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]
Posted By: SKB Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/21/21 06:31 PM
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
Posted By: HalfaDouble Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/21/21 06:44 PM
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
Posted By: SKB Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/21/21 06:53 PM
excellent point!
Posted By: Der Ami Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/21/21 08:56 PM
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
Posted By: Ghostrider Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/22/21 01:52 AM
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.
Posted By: craigd Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/22/21 02:02 AM
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.
Posted By: Ghostrider Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/22/21 08:00 AM
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]
Posted By: Parabola Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/22/21 07:53 PM
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.
Posted By: Ghostrider Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/23/21 01:56 AM
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
Posted By: Parabola Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/26/21 02:50 PM
Hi Ghostrider

If you go to Nitro Express forum, in the section on Classic Single Shot rifles you will find a thread on “Interesting Rook Rifle, Mini Snider in .360 No.5”

There is some useful loading info there. I know that your rifle is marked as a .380, but the outside lubricated .380 Long with heeled bullet and the slightly later inside lubricated .360 No. 5 seem to have been regarded as interchangeable.

Hope this helps!

Parabola
Posted By: Ghostrider Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/26/21 07:39 PM
Thank you for this link.
I am now in search of some long colt brass. I know I can also use shortened 38 Special brass but would like to find 50 38 Long Colt.
Posted By: Der Ami Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/26/21 09:56 PM
Ghostrider,
I think Starline makes it ( for SASS shooters). Several dealers carry Starline, you might try Buffalo Arms.
Mike
Posted By: Huvius Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/27/21 03:32 AM
I have a mold for this bullet and may even have some bullets already cast.
Did you order the bullets already?
Posted By: Ghostrider Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/27/21 03:56 AM
Thanks Mike. I purchased some off of agunbroker today.
Posted By: Ghostrider Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 04/27/21 03:59 AM
Thank you Huvius. I appreciate your offer. I order 100 bullets and they arrived today.
Posted By: Vol423 Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 05/15/21 01:09 PM
Use a hollow base wad cutter bullet. The shirt will expand into the rifling for a tight fit.
Posted By: Larry21556 Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 06/13/21 01:48 PM
Would it be possible for you to use the .380 Lungo or as it is known in English, .380 Rook? If that would work for you I have 7 boxes that I will be selling.
Posted By: Ghostrider Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 06/22/21 03:13 AM
PM sent
Posted By: Ghostrider Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 07/29/21 02:21 PM
I purchased several boxes from Larry and shot the rifle this week after having it put back on face. The 380 Lungo functioned perfectly. Loved shooting the rifle. It is like shooting an oversized 22.
Posted By: Vall Re: H&H long 380 CF help needed - 07/30/21 10:20 PM
Originally Posted by Ghostrider
Thank you for this link.
I am now in search of some long colt brass. I know I can also use shortened 38 Special brass but would like to find 50 38 Long Colt.

Before trying to find .38 Long Colt, you should be sure of your chamber dimensions, as the .38 Long colt may be slightly smaller. Much cheaper and easier to trim .38 Special cases for making up your loads. And if you do much reloading at all a case length trimmer is a must have to ensure all cases are the same correct length.
© The DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com