44-40 reloading data

[7mmlefty]

I would like to ask for a few 44-40 rifle reload recipies.

Would be nice to get hunting velocity load data from experienced reloaders.

All I've found are weaker cowboy shooting loads, which are good for plinking fun... but would like some hunting load info using cast or jacketed bullets.

The rifle is a modern 44-40 Winchester Cheyenne commemorative with a 20" barrel. I cant just look at it, Ive got to shoot it. Thanks for any info.

 

[Neo]

If you haven't read it already, Mike Venturino's book "Shooting Lever Guns of the Old West" is an extremely useful reference when it comes to developing loads for the classic old lever guns.

Truth be told, you don't have to be moving a 200 grain RNFP bullet very fast in order to shoot clean through a deer. Venturino makes the point of having done just that with a .44-40 using about 33 grains of FFg black powder, shooting the animal at around 75 yards, as I recall. I would imagine he was getting somewhere around 1200 fps at most.

With respect to a smokeless load, two of my personal favourites are 6.8 grains of Winchester 231 or 8.0 grains of Unique. This with the 200 grain RNFP, sized 0.001" above nominal bore diameter. In all the Winchester 1892's I've shot, those two loads have shown no pressure signs, and have typically run about 1,150 fps on average. Of course, YMMV, so take all that with a grain of salt, check a current reloading manual, and work up your load carefully.

Whether or not you consider such a load acceptable for hunting use is up to you. IMHO, I tend to think of the .44-40 as a bow that goes "bang" -- that is, I'd be looking for shot opportunities that I would be comfortable taking with an arrow. Inside bow range, and with careful shot placement, I'd be confident of collecting a dead deer.

 

[Goldenlakepete]

These loads are from my old Ideal Handbook #38 - work up to them carefully!

Jacketed 200 gr bullet with 23.5 grs 2400 for 1700 fps

Jacketed 200 gr bullet with 29 grs 4227 for 1890 fps

Cast plain base 210 gr bullet with 22 grs 2400 for 1530 fps

Cast gas check 221 gr bullet with 26 grs 2400 for 1850 fps

Start low and work up looking for signs of pressure.

 

[mbogo3]

IMR 4227 works nicely with the 200gr cast..........Harold

 

[sail32]

There is a lot of discussion and loads for the .44-40 at http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/

 

[7mmlefty]

Thanks for all the help gents.
Its been interesting looking up/ researching this old caliber. Am looking forward to reloading for it and shooting it.