Cow boy loads

M

mike Crawford

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
10   0   0
Location
kingston Ontario
Recently bought a 44-40 and do not need too use cow boy loads for hunting ,, the factory Winchester 200 gn loads and Magtech are 1190 fps sec and cow boy loads in the 7-800 fps area , I am useing this gun I bought for shooting over bait on black bear and the range is 50 yards from stand to bait barrel so 60 would be max ,, I feel the Winchester loads will do the job .. But some times you see the cowboy loads at shows etc .. Could I use the cheaper shells too practice with or will the fly way different than the Winchester and magtech being they are low power ,, 60 a box for cowboy versus 110 a box
 
Any factory loads should be alright in any gun but I will offer the following advice;
Identify the make & model of your gun pls. I have had more than one of the "brass" framed Italian made guns thru my shop that the owners tried self-described "good deer hunting rounds" in them instead of the tried & true Cowboy pressure stuff. Bent or broken toggles & pins are descriptions of moderate damage but have seen at least two that bent the action frame so headspace was a measurable .045". Do with it what you want but if it is a toggle action just be forewarned that you may end up with a boat anchor.
 
mike Crawford said:
Recently bought a 44-40 and do not need too use cow boy loads for hunting ,, the factory Winchester 200 gn loads and Magtech are 1190 fps sec and cow boy loads in the 7-800 fps area , I am useing this gun I bought for shooting over bait on black bear and the range is 50 yards from stand to bait barrel so 60 would be max ,, I feel the Winchester loads will do the job .. But some times you see the cowboy loads at shows etc .. Could I use the cheaper shells too practice with or will the fly way different than the Winchester and magtech being they are low power ,, 60 a box for cowboy versus 110 a box
Click to expand...

Cowboy loads should be just fine to practice with or shoot smaller game. Yes cowboy loads will not shoot to the same point of impact but I'd expect it to be a problem only on the vertical plane so your front site should be just fine. Buy a box and figure out where a 50 yard zero is with the cowboy loads and remember where you had it with the heavy ones and you should be fine. Also IMO big handgun cartridges such as the 44-40, 45 LC, 44 Mag etc are a very good reason to get into reloading. I can reload 44 special cowboy loads (200gr roundnose flatpoint, 5.1-5.5 gr HP-38/Win 231) for about $.16 excluding the price of brass.
 
mike Crawford said:
Model 14 1/2 remington
Click to expand...

Should be good to go with any moderate hunting rounds but I wouldn't try to bump/handload it up anywhere close to the .44 mag round.

I wouldn't be afraid to use that caliber/gun combination on a deer within handgun round ranges (for me under 100 yrds) ...would be very satisfying to complete a hunt with the old girl adding to the larder.
 
Took the Remington out today and I just bought a 1894 Winchester in 44-40 also so I took it out too and tried both with Winchester cowboy loads 225 gr and the Winchester hunting loads 200 gr ,, I only need a 50 yard gun for hunting over bait so I shot from the 50 yard .. Both guns shot about two inches low with the cow boy load ,, But both guns shot with no drop with the hunting loads .. Now my curiosity is solved .. Only cost me 60 dollars for a box of cowboy loads too find out LOL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom