44-40 load help

C

chris16371

New member
I've been researching hand loading/reloading for a few years now off and on but haven't pulled the trigger on it yet. My Model 53 .44WCF has made me take the plunge, well that and all the brass from various calibers I have no idea what to do with. The 44-40 is the biggest reason bc I can't find one box of factory ammo in any sporting good store within 50 miles but can buy all the bullets, powder, cases, etc. I want right down the road.

Basically what I'm looking for is how much can this old rifle handle and where can I find good data for loads? I would like to find a good load for hunting NW PA whitetails without damaging the rifle. I think I'll be using Starline cases but as far as anything else I'm not sure.

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You probably already know this, but 44-40 was and is typically loaded with 200-205 gr cast. Older rifles have a 0.427 groove diameter. I am shooting Hunters' Supply 0.427 over Unique or Alliant Black MZ from a Uberti replica 1873. Lyman puts the max load of Unique at 8.6 gr for "Group 1" rifles, which includes the 1873 and replicas. For "Group 2", Lyman max is 10.5 gr Unique. They don't list the M53, but the 1892 is listed in Group 2. The 53 is an updated version, yes?

The replicas I'm shooting (1873 and SAA clone) have 0.429 grooves, but the throats of the revolver require 0.427. I could get the cylinder reamed, but in fact the 0.427 shoot just fine in both. No problem with leading.

Although Unique has worked well for me, I am using the blackpowder subsitute exclusively. I can just about fit 40 gr like the original. But that's me. Check Lyman for a whole list of powders, but you can't go wrong with Unique.
 
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how much can this old rifle handle and where can I find good data for loads?
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 If you've got a `53, then consider it an updated Mdl`92 -- about as strong as it gets for a traditional lever action.

See Ken Waters: Group-II/page 32 for loads that easily get you 1,400-1,500 fps in that rifle.


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Any reason you can't mail order ammo? I see a number of cases of folks who can't seem to make that leap and instead rely solely on local supplies and constraints that go with that. Georgia Arms provided some for me from stock. Been awhile though. I since started reloading my own.

Your own Penn Bullets would be a good place for bullets and advice. I use their bullets when they have a unique mold that matches what I am trying to do. They also size to my request. For 44 Winchester though I am using a 200 gr RNFP .430 from Bullets by Scarlett, which is supporting suppliers in my own area.

My gun is a Uberti Outlaw with huge throats but chambers that barely accept anything larger than .428 bullets, all RNFP lead. Loading for this gun is very unforgiving; trimming brass, trying different bullets, changing expander plugs, etc. Note that dies may not be carbide, so you might have to lube cases.
 
Real Gun said:
Any reason you can't mail order ammo? I see a number of cases of folks who can't seem to make that leap and instead rely solely on local supplies and constraints that go with that. Georgia Arms provided some for me from stock. Been awhile though. I since started reloading my own.

Your own Penn Bullets would be a good place for bullets and advice. I use their bullets when they have a unique mold that matches what I am trying to do. They also size to my request. For 44 Winchester though I am using a 200 gr RNFP .430 from Bullets by Scarlett, which is supporting suppliers in my own area.

My gun is a Uberti Outlaw with huge throats but chambers that barely accept anything larger than .428 bullets, all RNFP lead. Loading for this gun is very unforgiving; trimming brass, trying different bullets, changing expander plugs, etc. Note that dies may not be carbide, so you might have to lube cases.
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Mail ordering ammo is an option but spending $70 for 50 rounds that doesn't even reach 1200fps (at least what I've found so far) is a little much for my liking. Plinking ammo of course can be found cheaper but I would prefer to practice with what I'll be using. I unfortunately haven't even put a round through the rifle yet but everything I've read makes it sound like these cowboy rifles are fun to shoot which makes me believe I'll be using quite a few rounds. This rifle may become my "hiking" rifle, boy is it a dream to carry around.

I appreciate the information, I understand the 44-40 is harder to reload than other calibers.

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The .44-40 case is faintly bottlenecked which means you must use a steel sizing die and lubricate the empties. This is not a big problem, use little enough spray lube and you won't even have to degrease them. Cases must be clean, a grain of sand will scratch even a hardened tool steel die, which will then scratch your brass.

You must be careful to align the case with the die, the brass is thin and it doesn't take much of a bump to crumple it.

I tried the CH TiN coated sizing die, which requires no lube, but it did not size down the neck enough. They told me I needed to anneal my brass. I don't THINK so. The RCBS did fine, with the requirement to clean well and lube.

A regular roll crimp in the groove of a proper bullet will work, but I came to prefer the Lee (collet) Factory Crimp Die.
 
Loads in the Lyman Cast Bullet handbook indicate velocities from a 6" universal receiver that should translate to your 1200 fps in a 20"+ barrel rifle. Those loads depend upon 200 gr lead bullets sized to .429. You will be using bullets rated .428 or .430 and you should be sure which you need.
 
understand the 44-40 is harder to reload than other calibers.
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The 44-40 is no more difficult to reload than a 38 Special. So simple a Caveman can do it.
(Ask my wife)

That said, get some Black Hills just to get you over the jitters, then reload the brass.

Using SOFT lead, I suggest the following as first reload trial;
3343dwx.jpg


Then step up to Tier/Group-II in Post #3 above
 
The 44-40 is no more difficult to reload than a 38 Special. So simple a Caveman can do it.
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Getting it to fit the gun is the challenge. A cavernous rifle chamber is a different matter than a Uberti revolver with curious combinations of chamber, throats, and bore, a high wire act that requires great precision.
 
I've got both... an Uberti (Colt)`73 Smokewagon, and an Uberti (Win)`73 Commanchero
The above load/hand-cast/bullet/alloy/sizing/lube/case combination loaded with RCBS Cowboy dies fits/shoots both w/o any problem.

That said... I counsel the OP to put the Black Hills to trial in his`53 -- and assuming things work out -- duplicate the loading/dimensions as a point of departure.
 
Thanks everyone for the replies, lots of good information!!

I haven't bought a press or anything yet, still researching options. I was going to buy a progressive press, obviously it will work good for other calibers I'll be reloading for but with the .44-40 would it be easier to use a single stage? If so I have no issue buying both since both would be used.

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I should mention I make me own fishing jigs and melt/pour my own lead so there's a good chance I will do the same for .44-40. Do you recommend I do that from the start or just buy them already made until I'm more experienced?

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I do my 44-40 on a Lee turret. I have a progressive also but choose the turret for this cartridge. Single stage is too slow, but if you end up using a Lee collet crimp die, you may need to do it as a fifth operation on a single stage, for which something inexpensive and handgun size should work fine.

Before buying any molds for casting be sure which bullet size you need, measuring throats and bore diameters. If you cast standard 44 caliber for a common bullet among various 44s, you can always size them down to any smaller needed for 44-40.
 
.44-40 is considerably more difficult to load than modern, straight-sided cases.
I used to have a S&W 544, and was loading for that and a 1st Gen Frontier Six Shooter.
I'd usually crush 1%-2% of the cases while seating the bullet, cases would stretch unevenly during sizing and need trimming every few loadings, and lubing cases is a pain.
I never did any loading for "power", everything was for informal paper-punching, but like just about all handgun cartridges, you can get good ballistics with Unique powder.
I loaded only cast bullets sized .427", but if your gun will accommodate .429"-.430", then you have access to all the bullets intended for .44 Spl/Mag., and mid-range Special loads could be a good starting place for .44-40.
 
I load Badman .430 RNFP over 7.0 gr Red Dot, Starline brass and shoot it in a Uberti 1873 at silhouette matches. Works great. Big Lube 200 gr shoot the same but as there is almost no cost difference between shooting the commercial bullets and casting my own, I use the justification that I might put the time saved to good use (eventually anyway).
 
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