Smokeless loads for cast 440-40 1973

[WBH]

Looking for some smokeless loads for my bp 1873 44-40. Mild please.

[Mike Nesbitt]

WBH, A load I've liked for several years in the .44/40 uses Lyman's #42798 (or #427098 if it's a new one) over 7 or 7 1/2 grains of Unique. That's on the "soft" side and I use in a revolver quite a bit. And, my Model 1892 Winchester carbine doesn't mind that load at all. Shoot sharp, Mike

[WBH]

Thanks Mike, but, a pre-1900's 1873 is not nearly as strong as the Model 92.

[w30wcf]

WBH,

Mike's load data is plenty safe in a '73 Winchester. SAMMI MAP for the .44-40 is 14,000 C.U.P. and is safe in '73 Winchesters.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeDetail.aspx?title=Pistols%20and%20Revolvers&gtypeid=1&weight=200&shellid=1026&bulletid=82

Also:
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/RecipeDetail.aspx?title=Centerfire%20Load&gtypeid=2&weight=240&shellid=1097&bulletid=348

I have found that a capacity load of RL-7 under either a 200 gr. (Magma) or 215 gr. (Lyman 427098 W.W. + 2% tin) shoots very well in my '73 circa 1882.

Have fun,
w30wcf

[WBH]

Thanks guys. It is always a great place to share and get new info.

[C1PNR]

According to my records my '73 didn't like the 7.5 Unique loads under the 42798. There were holes all over the target.:-?

So I went to 7 grains and have been using that in both the rifle and pistol. Works well in both.:-D

The '73 is an original (third model) but the pistol is a Uberti.

[9.3X62AL]

Ditto to all posted by W30WCF, these loads did very well in my 1897-vintage '73 in this caliber. The RL-7's 100% loading density provides boolit support just as the original black powder column was supposed to do. Another load that has done well for me is 13.0-14.0 of 2400 with the 200 grain slugs, but a crimping groove is a good thing to have with such loads to prevent telescoping boolits.

I recently got a SAECO #446, which casts a 204 grain flatnose AND includes a crimping groove--a feature not found in the Lyman #427098. The nose portion is just slightly overlength for my rifle, requiring me to trim cases back to 1.275" to enable reliable feeding. The Lee 200 grain RN has a small crimp groove also, sufficient to support the boolit against mag spring tension and the shunting down the tube. The Lee's nose works with cases at 1.300" length, too.