Is this 40 caliber

dearslayer

dearslayer

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A while back someone gave just over 300 lead cast bullets. Stupid rookie question but would they be considered 200gr 40 caliber? They seem to be much larger in diameter then my own .40 cast bullets. Mine measure at 0.401 compared to 0.431.
 

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Ok thanks. I figured if it was 44 caliber it would actually be a little larger than 44 instead of smaller at 43. Well I guess seems as I don't have a 44 I'll melt them down or use it as an excuse to get a 44!!
 
In a pinch, you can push them through a swage die to the diameter you need. However, this isn't really practical, unless you're going to do at least a thousand.

I've done this in my single stage press, with a home made swage die, commercial dies are available. Bullets should have a coating of Pam or some other lubricant before the process.

Like you, for 300 bullets, back into the melting pot.
 
dearslayer said:
Ok thanks. I figured if it was 44 caliber it would actually be a little larger than 44 instead of smaller at 43. Well I guess seems as I don't have a 44 I'll melt them down or use it as an excuse to get a 44!!
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.44 caliber bullets are actually only .429. You cast and size them to +/- .431, .432 for proper obturation.
 
bcsteve said:
.44 caliber bullets are actually only .429. You cast and size them to +/- .431, .432 for proper obturation.
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Obturation happens after firing and only if the alloy is not too hard for the pressure generated. .430 or .432 etc. could be just as or more suitable depending on the firearm.
 
B said:
Obturation happens after firing and only if the alloy is not too hard for the pressure generated. .430 or .432 etc. could be just as or more suitable depending on the firearm.
Click to expand...

Yes, that’s why you should slug your barrel if you’re shooting cast.
 
As others have stated with great info they're 44 slugs. The reason they end up being .429 +/- is that the original 44's were true 44's with a heeled bullet, like 22 LR is today. At some point they stopped making the cartridge's use heeled bullets but kept the 44 name. $0.02
 
Sniper_485 said:
As others have stated with great info they're 44 slugs. The reason they end up being .429 +/- is that the original 44's were true 44's with a heeled bullet, like 22 LR is today. At some point they stopped making the cartridge's use heeled bullets but kept the 44 name. $0.02
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^this is correct. In other words - the diameter of the brass is 44 cal. It's the old naming convention - things got mixed up for a while during the transition from cap and ball to cartridge.

Regular jacketed 44 cal bullets are usually 0.429".
Cast 44 cal are sized .430" or .431".
 
jethunter said:

^this is correct. In other words - the diameter of the brass is 44 cal. It's the old naming convention - things got mixed up for a while during the transition from cap and ball to cartridge.

Regular jacketed 44 cal bullets are usually 0.429".
Cast 44 cal are sized .430" or .431".
Click to expand...

Except for the .44-40 and .44 S&W American no .44 has .44" brass in its dimensions. The S&W is .438" too, which to anyone picky is not .44.
 
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