reloading for the 44-40...

Mr. Buttons

Mr. Buttons

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I'm going to start reloading the 44-40. I'm looking for advice on gear and components (ie tried and true methods and equipment) from those who may reload for this old workhorse that may help me out as I start. Through experience what works and what doesn't work?

FYI - I'm going to focus on light loads. :)

Any advice?

thanks
 
HI
use castbullets(easy on the bbl.) Lee reloaders start very slow and inexpesive and go up to very fast and expensive. If you use jacketed bullets try hornady 180 gr HP .430 dia.
I am loading for a REMINTON 1 1/2 in 44-40. Cases will crush easily so carefull set up of equipment before loading is critical. Also if you firearm is BP period low loads are a must
PM me if you want more info,good luck
 
.44-40 loads

I assume you are shooting these in a rifle? I have an old Marlin 1894 and I haven't tried many handloads in it yet, but a 'plinking' load I have tried that seems to work well is a 205gr PB cast sized 0.430", 9.5grs of Unique, R-P cases, & CCI 300 primer.:)
 
Reloading for 44-40

I shoot several thousand 44-40's in Cowgoy Action through the course of a season. Here are some of my observations. Firstly, with regard to bullets, jacketed bullets (Win or Rem. 200 grn) are sized .425 - 426" and have a crimp groove so crimp them generously or they may push back into the case if used in any of the inline magazines especially when using light smokeless loads. Cast lead bullets of over .427" may not fit into chambers. They also should have a crimp groove. The old Lyman 42798 mould does not have a crimp groove but 427666 does.
Brass is very thin and easily damaged if bumped into the bottom of a die during the loading process so stop and look if something doesn't feel right. There are no carbide dies available for this calibre so cases must be lubed for the sizing process. So tumble the cases after firing.Keep the cases clean and brass life and die life will be extended. I have tried most of the various manufactures of dies and Redding,Lee and RCBS Cowboy dies in that order work the best. Believe it or not there has not been a SAMMI spec on 44-40 dimensions until just lately and older die sets and firearm chambers vary wildley, especially on shoulder dimensions. I have tried just about every method known crimping cases and a roll crimp is the best therefore one must trim to length at least once after 2nd or 3rd firing.
Moderate charges of Bullseye,Tight Group and the new Trail Boss seem to work best. Trail Boss is new and really has promise as the best but I have only done some pliminary work on it, so far I'm impressed. Triple Seven is nice stuff if you like smoke and boom but back off what Hogdon says to use as I got into trouble with my local Cowboy Range Master after blowing holes through his mild steel targets! The loads were safe but WOW! 22 grns under a 200 grn. lead bullet made HIM happy and accuracy improved.
That's my two cents worth, I hope it helps some.
 
.44 Wcf

8.0 or 8.5 grains Unique powder in a Winchester or Starline case with a 200 grain cast bullet sized to .428. I have had great results in three Winchester model 92 rifles, 1 carbine and a Colt SAA revolver. The 8.5 grain load is similar to the original loading in my guns.

I have a powder measure set up for this powder and load and use it for the above .44 WCF load as well as my .45 Colt loads (260 grain SWC).

Regards,

Outdoors
 
Doug Rayner at Rayner'shine in Lancer, SK is where I buy all my Starline 4440 brass. His prices are usually fair to unbeatable.

AS far as crimping goes I have had good success with a Lee Factory Crimp die. It is a taper crimp die so trim length is not as critical (altough I reccomend an initial trim before first loading and periodically checking case length in subsequent loadings). The factory crimp die does mean one more trip thru the press but it's worth the extra time to avoid the hassles of either bullets pushing back into the case and jamming your levergun or bullets working forward and jamming your revolver, not to mention the ruined cases when you set your bullet seating die to low trying to get a good crimp on the round.
 
i load my 44/40 rifle with 33grs. FFFG Goex and the Rem. 2 1/2 primer and 200gr. cast bullet or 240 gr. with B.P. Lube......once you determine your overall length... try diff. charges until you have no empty space in loaded round....the 44/40 sounds and shoots great with B.P.
Remember "once you try black, you'll never go back"
 
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