How much is a .44-40 worth?
- Thread starter Stillar
- Start date
- Location
- Golden Lake
.44-40
It is strictly a handloading proposition if you want "magnum" loads out of your .44-40. The modern loading manuals (Lee 2nd Edition, Lyman #47) don't list heavy loads. Some manuals don't even have .44-40 listings.
The loads mentioned here must only be used in M92 Winchesters or Marlin M94's in excellent condition! Have your rifle checked by a gunsmith if you have any doubts.
Always start at several grains BELOW maximum
Don't use old cases - they may have deteriorated with time or may have been used with black powder and not been cleaned properly.
You have to go back to the old books - Ideal Handbook #38 and the Lyman Handbook of Cast Bullets. The Ideal Handbook has a 200 gr. jacketed bullet with 29 grs of 4227 developing 1850 fps as a MAXIMUM load. And 23.5 grs of 2400 pushing the 200 gr. bullet at 1700 fps as a MAXIMUM . The latter is a deadly load!
The Handbook of Cast Bullets has a load of 26 grs of 2400 with a cast lead plain base 205 gr. bullet at 1900 fps as a MAXIMUM load. This load caused me a lot of leading in the barrel. And a 215 gr. gas check bullet with 26 grs. 2400 for 1850 fps as a MAXIMUM load.
I found 22-24 grs of 2400 was much more accurate in my M92.
The most fun loads are with a full case of black powder!
It is strictly a handloading proposition if you want "magnum" loads out of your .44-40. The modern loading manuals (Lee 2nd Edition, Lyman #47) don't list heavy loads. Some manuals don't even have .44-40 listings.
The loads mentioned here must only be used in M92 Winchesters or Marlin M94's in excellent condition! Have your rifle checked by a gunsmith if you have any doubts.
Always start at several grains BELOW maximum
Don't use old cases - they may have deteriorated with time or may have been used with black powder and not been cleaned properly.
You have to go back to the old books - Ideal Handbook #38 and the Lyman Handbook of Cast Bullets. The Ideal Handbook has a 200 gr. jacketed bullet with 29 grs of 4227 developing 1850 fps as a MAXIMUM load. And 23.5 grs of 2400 pushing the 200 gr. bullet at 1700 fps as a MAXIMUM . The latter is a deadly load!
The Handbook of Cast Bullets has a load of 26 grs of 2400 with a cast lead plain base 205 gr. bullet at 1900 fps as a MAXIMUM load. This load caused me a lot of leading in the barrel. And a 215 gr. gas check bullet with 26 grs. 2400 for 1850 fps as a MAXIMUM load.
I found 22-24 grs of 2400 was much more accurate in my M92.
The most fun loads are with a full case of black powder!
Stillar, that is a nice looking '92 and it appears to be totally original and unmessed with. By the way, I sometimes head up to North Bay from time to time. Maybe one of these times we can go for coffee if, by some miracle, our schedules let it happen.
They're designed for handguns mostly, and old ones at that. I have the same rifle, I would have no issues going after deer with it, with a good handload. - dan
