Easier to find: .45 LC or .44-40 ?
- Thread starter Wobble
- Start date
IMHO 44-40 is a whole lot harder to find than 45LC-
And remember, with 45LC cylinder one can also shoot 45 Schofield and a few months ago Cheaper than Dirt had those little 45LC inserts to let you shoot .22LR for about $50.
However, since you already have a 45LC then do yo thang
And remember, with 45LC cylinder one can also shoot 45 Schofield and a few months ago Cheaper than Dirt had those little 45LC inserts to let you shoot .22LR for about $50.
However, since you already have a 45LC then do yo thang
Fingers McGee
New member
I don't have any trouble finding 44-40 rounds. Just open my gun safe & there they are - of course, I reload my own - waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy cheaper that way.
As far a commercially available ammo is concerned, neither is widely stocked unless the store caters to Cowboy Action Shooters; and it usually isn't cheap when it is. Mail order or special order through your local toy store is the easiest way to go.
FM
As far a commercially available ammo is concerned, neither is widely stocked unless the store caters to Cowboy Action Shooters; and it usually isn't cheap when it is. Mail order or special order through your local toy store is the easiest way to go.
FM
hickstick_10
New member
orrrrrrrrrrr, get a 44 special
No joke. I went to the gun store after burning through 95 rounds of my .45 Colt reloads, and saw the .45 Colt on the shelves in 50-round boxes for $50 each. It was the first time I realized just how much I save reloading, not to mention the benefits of tailoring my ammunition for groups and leading-free shooting. That morning of shooting cost me under $10, but had I been obligated to buy factory would have run $95! If I didn't reload, I wouldn't shoot.
Uncle Buck
New member
I had some serious trouble finding .45LC ammo. I do not own a .44- anything, so I did not look for the ammo.
I started reloading and brought my costs per round from .85 cents each to
.23 cents each. Reloading is not really that expensive once you get all the equipment you need. (BUY AND READ the reloading manual, or a couple of them!) It also does not really take up that much space.
I would imagine the cost savings could be comparable with the .44-40 if you decided to reload.
Reloading components have become more readily available and you won't have to worry about being gouged on them as much as you did a few months ago.
Also, this forum has an EXCELLENT reloading section and these guys will help you out tremendously when you have a question.
I started reloading and brought my costs per round from .85 cents each to
.23 cents each. Reloading is not really that expensive once you get all the equipment you need. (BUY AND READ the reloading manual, or a couple of them!) It also does not really take up that much space.
I would imagine the cost savings could be comparable with the .44-40 if you decided to reload.
Reloading components have become more readily available and you won't have to worry about being gouged on them as much as you did a few months ago.
Also, this forum has an EXCELLENT reloading section and these guys will help you out tremendously when you have a question.
OLDPUPPYMAX
Inactive
Pretty scarce
The store I frequent offers some 300-400 shotguns alone. I couldn't tell you how many pistols and rifles. But I bought their last 2 boxes of 50 count 45LC cowboy loads. They had plenty of 20 round boxes for 19.95 though.
The store I frequent offers some 300-400 shotguns alone. I couldn't tell you how many pistols and rifles. But I bought their last 2 boxes of 50 count 45LC cowboy loads. They had plenty of 20 round boxes for 19.95 though.
toolslinger
New member
Not just a whole bunch. The .45 colt uses a heavier bullet . Running both rounds at 750 to 950 feet per second the 44-40 with give less recoil. Since you already have a .45 get the .44 .You can always trade it if you don't like it.
One suggestion, if possible mic the chamber throats on the gun you plan to buy. Oversize or undersize throats can cause bad accuracy.
One suggestion, if possible mic the chamber throats on the gun you plan to buy. Oversize or undersize throats can cause bad accuracy.
The first single action I ever owned was a .45 colt. Loved that gun. That was about 17 years ago. I bought my first .44-40 13 years ago. I have since bought 5 more .44-40 firearms. I have seen no difference between the two. I have taken several deer with my .44s. Rifle and revolvers. I have never had a hard time finding >44-40 ammo. Besides you can always order it. Sorry for the long post but I love my .44s 
here are my two 44-40 rifles,a rem 14-1/2 carbine and a 1892 win. i wanted to start reloading for them but had always heard how hard it was with alot of ruined cases,so i didn,t reload for them. how ever in the last years i started and i have lost maybe 5 cases out of 100,s of reloades. i load 17grs imr 4227 with a 200gr lead .429 bullet for plinking and 23grs imr 4227 for hunting with the same bullet. i have a old model vaqcuro in 44 mag and i am looking for a extra ruger 44-40 cylinder for it. eastbank.
Attachments
the bottle neck shape of a 44 40 allows it to feed and chamber slightly faster. it is slightly more difficult to reload than a 45. my marlin is a cowboy competition model. its chamber is on the loose side so the brass expands more. it splits occasionally.
...just what i have encountered while playing with both. bobn
...just what i have encountered while playing with both. bobn
I like the 45 Colt vs the 44-40 and here is why.
You can use carbide dies on the 45 Colt. You need to lube the 44-40
45 Colt cases are thicker, stronger, and will last longer.
You really have to work hard to bulge a 45 colt case when seating the bullet. You can bulge a 44-40 case by looking at it funny.
Wider selection of bullet styles and weights.
Thanks guys. I'm about to make my move on the .45 versus .44-40 purchase but, since I don't plan on reloading anytime soon, my question is really about factory ammo.
Will I be able to find .44-40 factory ammo any more easily than .45 LC? Less so, or about the same? Cost difference is not a concern.
Will I be able to find .44-40 factory ammo any more easily than .45 LC? Less so, or about the same? Cost difference is not a concern.
i load 45lc and 44-40, and i have no trouble with either. but from a standpoint of just going to a store and buying ammo, the 45lc is what i would get. but i do like the 44-40 and shoot it more. the cost of store bought 45lc and 44-40 is allfull, 50-60 dollars a box. you must reload to realy save money. i just bought 500 lead 200gr 44-40 bullets for 45.00, 500 primers cost 17.50 and a pound of imr 4227 cost 26.00. to load 500 rounds(10 boxes) cost, bullets 45.00,primers 17.50, powder 43.00 (useing 23grs) total cost 105.00 for 10 boxes plus your time, for the 45lc your bullets may be a little more but not much. eastbank.