My retired friend got himself a nice Winchester 44-40 for hunting. Having a conversation with him he mentioned that he'd like to get a matching caliber revolver for it and looking for the options in ammo for it. What are his options on revolver? What about the ammo? Where and how? Any advice you guys can provide? Reloading ideas.,? Any help will be appreciated. Thank you...
44-40 revolver
- Thread starter drslav
- Start date
.. The caliber has been around since just after Noah stepped ashore. It was one of the first, if not the first, metallic cartridge that offered the option of being used in a revolver or a rifle. A definite logistical advantage for Pioneers moving across the American West. and settling on the Frontier. That being said any factory ammunition will be loaded light to accommodate ORIGINAL Firearm's that may be over 100 years old. And then, there's possible differences in bore dimensions. ..... It can be reloaded stiffer, BUT, the cases tend to be thin walled, and unless one uses modern brass ( Starline etc.) then they tend to collapse when resizing.And even then extra care needs to be taken. ..... My Reloading Manuals, perhaps not the most up to date, admittedly, but none show specifically, "Hotter loads" for either Rifles nor, modern handguns. ..... Without a doubt others, with more first hand experience, will chime in with specific load data, and recommendation's for "replica" SAA Revolvers by brand. ....... Interesting historical cartridge though ! ..... David K
NorthCoastBigBore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Northwest BC (Rural) 103-I-##
..and boy does that kick in with that small SAA grip don't it?
I've been trying out 38g fffg with 260g & 230g LRN in my Uberti lately and I don't think my little finger will ever be the same
I have a lot of balloon head brass to maximize the BP but...
(sorry that's 45 Colt but I'll bet the recoil and experience is pretty similar)
I've been trying out 38g fffg with 260g & 230g LRN in my Uberti lately and I don't think my little finger will ever be the same
I have a lot of balloon head brass to maximize the BP but...(sorry that's 45 Colt but I'll bet the recoil and experience is pretty similar)
okcorral1881
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East of Toronto
A Colt Saa (as mentionned by others) would be a great choice. Either an old 1st generation or a new 3rd gen. would be a good match. Buying new, one may want to get one with two cylinders, 44-40 and 44 special, so you have the choice of shooting both ammos from the same gun.
OK
David K has it right on the historical part. My old Cartridges of the World, in referring to old western cartridges, states the 44-40 has probably shot more men, good and bad, than any other frontier cartridge.
I don't think any loading manual, old or new, will show any loadings for a rifle, other than those designed for a revolver, in good condition. Too much danger of someone loading the heavy loads in a revolver.
One thing to remember is during the early years of northern Canadian settlement and until the end of the great depression, great numbers of Canadians shot game year around for survival and a lot of moose and other big game was shot and killed with an old 44-40 rifle, using the store bought, factory ammunition designed for revlovers.
I don't think any loading manual, old or new, will show any loadings for a rifle, other than those designed for a revolver, in good condition. Too much danger of someone loading the heavy loads in a revolver.
One thing to remember is during the early years of northern Canadian settlement and until the end of the great depression, great numbers of Canadians shot game year around for survival and a lot of moose and other big game was shot and killed with an old 44-40 rifle, using the store bought, factory ammunition designed for revlovers.
fingers284
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Alberta Cowboy Ranges
Also depends on what model Winchester he has . Toggle action 66 or 73, old original or new Italian.... I would recomend Pistol ammo only. Model 92 can handle stronger loads.
- Location
- Golden Lake
My old Lyman Handbook of Cast Bullets has some pretty stout loads for a .44-40 revolver.
With a 205 gr cast plain based bullet 8 grs of the old 5066 powder gave 1000 fps and 10.7 grs of Unique gave 1050 fps.
With a 175 gr plain based bullet 11.9 grs of Unigue gave 1200 fps.
With a 250 gr plain based bullet 9.1 grs of Unique gave 940 fps.
With a 205 gr cast plain based bullet 8 grs of the old 5066 powder gave 1000 fps and 10.7 grs of Unique gave 1050 fps.
With a 175 gr plain based bullet 11.9 grs of Unigue gave 1200 fps.
With a 250 gr plain based bullet 9.1 grs of Unique gave 940 fps.
NorthCoastBigBore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Northwest BC (Rural) 103-I-##
Without a doubt, I watch my brass very closely, no issues but I'm very aware of the potential. I rarely load with them, full loads are too hot for enjoyable shooting anyway so I personally see no advantage with them.
I own a Beretta Stampede 7.5 inch barrel. Fit and finish is excellent and have had zero problems with about 700 rounds so far. I reload my own, using 200 gr cast and W231. I also have a model 94 in 44-40. I do load an express load for it ( and it is very capable) but be careful as you would not want those loads in the revolver. I have some older loading manuals and they do have loadings for different strength rifles etc. A 92 or a 94 can handle much more than the pistol loads that you can buy off of the shelf.
okcorral1881
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East of Toronto
While this is an older Colt (with a Winchester in 44-40), you can buy new revolvers Colt or copies in that caliber...if that's what you mean by modern!
I've got a consecutively numbered pair of Uberti/Taylor's Remington 44-40 conversions with 7-1/2" barrels. These guns are massive, 5 ozs. heavier than my Remington .44 cap & ball guns. The frame is thicker as is the barrel. These also come in .38 Spl. and .45 Colt.
Don't know why, as I have a Kirst conversion in .45 Colt on another Remington .44, so, it wasn't done for added strength. The ejector rod is not spring loaded as it is on the Kirst system and my Uberti '71s in .38 Spl.
The upside is that due to their weight, recoil is negligible with smokeless or BP loads, and they are accurate. I'm able to hit an 18" x 24" gong off hand with them at 100 yds.
Don't know why, as I have a Kirst conversion in .45 Colt on another Remington .44, so, it wasn't done for added strength. The ejector rod is not spring loaded as it is on the Kirst system and my Uberti '71s in .38 Spl.
The upside is that due to their weight, recoil is negligible with smokeless or BP loads, and they are accurate. I'm able to hit an 18" x 24" gong off hand with them at 100 yds.
