.44 American.

The .44 S&W started out life in the #3 top-break with the designation .44-100. It is an outside-lubricated reduced-shank diameter bullet. Just like the .22 rimfires. Upon the advent of the .44 Russian with the inside-lubed bullet, the round was christened "American" to avoid confusion. To the best of my knowledge, it a slightly longer case than the .44 Russian with the silly outside-lubed bullet. My guess would be that it would be OK to load the .44 Russian cases with the appropriate bullet, or cut down .44 Special cases. Maybe find a copy of Mike Venturino's "Shooting sixguns of the Old West" for consultation.
 
Yep - 44 russian will usually safely fire for the most part in 44 american, but with very limited accuracy and possibly shortened case life. Have had two guns in 44 american and the bore diameter is definitely a lot larger, requires the heeled bullet or a very soft hollow base bullet... still experimenting.
 
Yep - 44 russian will usually safely fire for the most part in 44 american, but with very limited accuracy and possibly shortened case life. Have had two guns in 44 american and the bore diameter is definitely a lot larger, requires the heeled bullet or a very soft hollow base bullet... still experimenting.

I have a .432" hollow base wad cutter bullet mould. Is that something that might be useful for the .44 american cartridge?
 
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