.44 Rem Magnum in a rifle

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HammerliSP20

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I've loaded many rounds for my S&W Model 29 so I'm familiar with the cartridge.

Anything I should do differently for a S&W 1854 rifle? Rifle primers rather than pistol primers?

I have some 240 gr Berry's I was going to use.
 
do not use rifle primers in place of pistol primers they are a different height dimension.
The only other thing is you will probably need to stay within the specified overall cartridge length so it will cycle.
 
Just because it's shot out of a rifle does not make it a rifle cartridge. It's still a pistol caliber, just being fired from a rifle.

I have shot loads of different off the shelf 44mag ammo through my 1854, from PMC, Hornady and even some 305gr HSM Bear Loads, all with zero issues. Should be good to go man.
 
SilentKnight said:
Just because it's shot out of a rifle does not make it a rifle cartridge. It's still a pistol caliber, just being fired from a rifle.

I have shot loads of different off the shelf 44mag ammo through my 1854, from PMC, Hornady and even some 305gr HSM Bear Loads, all with zero issues. Should be good to go man.
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Good to hear the HSM 305’s will cycle in the 1854. They did not cycle in my Chiappa 92, too fat at the tip.
 
Nothing different is required loading in a rifle. Only issue I have had was one cast bullet was slightly to long to cycle through the action on a Marlin lever. I decided to not use that bullet in that gun so no longer an issue. Same powder, primers and bullets used. If going in a lever make sure bullets have a good crimp, mag spring will push the bullets farther into the case.
 
Rifle primers can be used but you have to crush them a little, done it but not preferred. Never had on go off in the press, never had one fail to fire.
Is it just a pistol cartridge? It can have more energy at 200yds than a 30-30
 
MRP said:
Rifle primers can be used but you have to crush them a little, done it but not preferred. Never had on go off in the press, never had one fail to fire.
Is it just a pistol cartridge? It can have more energy at 200yds than a 30-30
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Yes I have 100rds that I primed with rifle primers, they do need a little crushing, and I would never use those rounds in a revolver.
 
waldo54 said:
Not only the cylinder gap but also the 5 1/2" barrel 400 fps is substantial
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Well yeah, but everyone knows barrel length is a factor, but it's not accounting for all 400fps. Here is an example I found online where a guy tested a few loads through a few different lever guns.

1000027188.jpg

To me this is clear evidence that the cylinder gap is causing a noteworthy loss in power. Would be cool to see what 44mag does in a locked breech with a 5-6" barrel for a better idea of exactly how much power is being lost though.
 
Your 1854 will handle it.

The only thing I load different for is .357 in an 1873 vs revolver - I don’t care what anyone claims, I’m not putting full power .357 through a toggle link lever action
 
HammerliSP20 said:
I've loaded many rounds for my S&W Model 29 so I'm familiar with the cartridge.

Anything I should do differently for a S&W 1854 rifle? Rifle primers rather than pistol primers?

I have some 240 gr Berry's I was going to use.
Click to expand...
I have both rifle and handgun, loads for both the same, only difference is barrel length, so higher velocity with the rifle that's all.
 
Scott_N said:
I was impressed at how much more velocity my 16" Rossi 44mag gains over my 5.5" Redhawk..... about 400 fps more with most ammo.
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Pistol powders generally run out of steam at 12 to 16 inches of barrel. The slower the burn rate the further the bullet will be pushed by expanding gases after that friction starts taking over. .45 colt out of a martini Henry with a 32 inch barrel makes almost nothing for sound because of this.
 
Yup, stay with pistol primers. Unlike the .357 magnum. People switch primers in the .357 with no consequence because SP and SR primers are the exact same dimensions. The cup is harder and the primer charge stronger in SR primers is all.
You shouldn't switch to large rifle primers in a case made for large pistol primers like the .44 mag. because the the large rifle primer is a few thousandths taller. That requires a crush fit that is a little risky while seating the primer, or leaving the primers seated high, which has the risk of accidental discharge.
The other difference many don't realize is that SAAMI in their "wisdom" specifies .44 magnum pistol barrels at 0.429" diameter, and rifle barrels at the larger dimension of 0.431". Some rifles will handle the smaller dia. bullets well, but usually best accuracy is had with the larger diameter bullets. Jacketed bullets are more forgiving of these dimension tolerances than cast.
 
boxhitch said:
curious why? what is the pressure level for the load?
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I'm not convinced that the action is going to put up with maximum SAAMI loads in the long term without shooting itself loose. You're really relying on 3 small steel pins. Plus there has to be a lot of spring in that thin steel bolt with such a rear biased locking arrangement. Modern steel or not - it's not a strong action like a Model 92 or the Marlins. I stick to target loads.

Data in my manual for 44-40 for 1873 actions does not exceed about 10,000CUP, give or take. .357 can exceed 40,000CUP.
 
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