Reloading data for 44-40

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mike Crawford

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Factory Winchester 200 grain is listed at 1190 fps .. If you go on the hodgdon site the Max load is 1117 .. I was under the impression that factory loads were loaded down.. I am planning on reloading for a Remington 14 1/2 in 44-40 and a Winchester 1892 in 44-40.. If reloading can not get me faster than factory I may as well just shoot factory only for the cost ,, I have heard of both this models being re barreled too 44 mag .. Looking for a recipe that is better than factory
 
The load data is conservative for the same reason as the factory ammo. It's meant not to be too much for the weakest actions that were originally chambered for the 44-40. It's a very old cartridge that was used in all sorts of rifles, pistols, and even little smooth bore shotguns dating back to the 1870's.

If you KNOW you have a strong action and want to stray from the book you can up the loads considerably but you better be sure of what you are doing.

If there is a good reason for needing more power maybe just trade for a 44mag.
 
Good evening, I am presently out of country but if you google 44-40 high velocity loads you will get lots of answers from other forums I will not name to your questions.
These people are using their guns so use their recipes with disgression.
Hope this helps.
Hardin
 
I have an OLD (1960's?) Lyman lading manual that has some awesome hot loads. I use hem in my '94 Winchester with great success. If you can't find one PM and I'll send you a page copy.
 
You won't find published 44-40 loads that exceed about 12K psi in deference to the numerous weak actioned rifles and handguns in which it has historically been chambered.

The 44-40 and 44 Rem Mag have essentially the same bore diameter and same case capacity, just different cartridge shapes. That means that in a strong action like the M92, which has been chambered in 44 Mag and 454 Casull, 44 Rem Mag loads can be used in the 44-40. 44 Rem loads are numerous, and it's easy to find varying levels of pressures. If you don't want to exceed 12K psi, then 44 Special loads are worth a look.
 
I have seen 1892 Winchesters re barreled too 44 mag and there is one in EE right now .. And the 14 1/2 Remington was used in the prison system and some of them also were rebarreled for 44 mag when 44-40 ammo was getting harder too get .. I know this gun is a 100 years old and do not want too push it too hard.. Using it for bear over bait so a bit better than than the factory 1190 would be nice
 
Those are stout loads for sure, but within the limit of a M92. When I had mine, I used a 260 gr cast bullet over 24.0 grs of IMR-4198 for about 1250 fps - very comparable to the Re7 load used above for 240 gr bullets.
 
In my 1892 rifle 24gr-RE#7- .430 220gr cast -Win or Starline brass. ..... .680 three shot group at 50 yards with irons. Velocity unknown?
 
About forty years ago Numrich was selling all the parts necessary to convert a 94 Winchester to 44/40. I bought and installed the kit in a junker 94 in 30/30 that someone gave me with a bent barrel. In the near half century since I have fired tens of thousands of rounds through it. I use the Lee 200gr. round nose cast for plinking and various jacketed for hunting. With a receiver sight it is very accurate. I load it quite hot for jacketed bullets with loads from old Lyman manuals, and mild for the cast plinking loads. If you cut the bases off of .410 plastic wads you can load it with shot for very close range grouse. I make the mini shot shell cases by cutting back 303 British brass to the length of a loaded 44/40 round and sizing in the 44/40 die. Feeds slick, works great, and is lots of fun at close range.
While it is true that the action can take high pressure the brass can’t and you will have very short case life with hot loads. But fortunately the caliber is popular with cowboy action shooters so brass is cheap and plentiful.
 
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