44-40 Load Data

I have reloading data up to 225 gr. and 205 gr. cast bullet. . (Lyman 47th edition)

The 1892 fits into the "group 2" action. (Strong Actions) . . so here you go:

205 gr cast

Red Dot - - 7.0 - 1180 fps - - - max. 8.0 - 1290 fps.
Green Dot - 8.0 (factory) - 1194 fps. - max. 9.0 - 1340 fps
Unique - - - 9.5 - 1319 fps - - - max. 10.5 - 1410fps

220 gr cast

700x - - - - 6.5 - 1049 - - - max. - 7.5 - 1169 fps.
Unique - - - 7.5 - 1059 - - - max. - 8.5 - 1187 fps.
SR--7625 -- 7.8 - 1059 - - - max. - 9.0 - 1229 fps.
 
fralic76 said:
I found some data for a 240gr cast bullet but it was for a handgun load. How would one make this work for a rifle load?
Click to expand...
Now this is just my opinion as I'm not an expert on 44-40 cast loads for rifles or handguns,but from what I've seen over the years and read up on this round,the handgun loads should be OK to fire in your 92 rifle.If anything they may be a little anemic and the only way to know is try a few out.Be wary of the possibility of a bullet becoming lodged in the barrel with too light of a charge when using handgun data in a rifle.Not sure if this is any help to you or not,just my thought on it.
 
That's a very heavy bullet for the 44-40, possibility you may have accuracy problems and bullet tumble, regardless I'd try 7 gns of unique and go up from there. Watch your COAL for feeding. I have shot many thousands of 44 mag using 9 grs of unique and a 240 gn cast bullet as a reduced load and many more much heavier loads in jacketed in 92s so I doubt 7 gns will be an issue and you can very likely go a couple grns more going about it carefully. Using modern firearms and brass you can use any of the mid range 44 mag data or 44 special data to work with in the 44-40. The case capacity is virtually identical to the 44 mag. Many, many 92s have been converted to 44 mag and used with full power loads so we know the rifle, assuming in good working condition, is capable. The modern 44-40 brass is as good as any out there, I use all W-W, and easily can be loaded to 44 mag pressures so sticking with mid range 44 loads should keep you out of trouble.
 
You may, but be careful that the primer doesn't protrude above the case head. Some LR primers are slightly "taller" than LP primers. I do believe I use LR primers in all my 44-40 as they are all shot from a rifle or six.
 
Most will choose not to, but you can use slower powders in the 44-40, often to good effect.

You will need a chrony. Take a published load such as 11.0 grs of Unique, and establish the MV it produces in your gun (a "baseline"), with the bullet you have chosen.

Work up loads with other slower powders, and stop when the MV produced just exceeds that produced by the "baseline" load. When more or a slower powder is used to develop the same MV as less of a faster powder, the resulting pressure will be lower, so you can safely exceed the baseline MV and still be at safe pressure. The M1892 is chambered by some manufacturers with the 454 Casull in the 60K psi range, so you can play above the standard 13K psi loads for the 44-40.

I've done this with SR4759 (15.0 grs), H4227 (20.0 grs), and IMR4198 (23.0 grs - full case), using 11.0 grs of Unique as the "baseline".
 
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