Heavier boolits in the 44-40 sixgun

[Beagle333]

I'm beginning to load a few rounds for my 44-40 and I find that I have a LOT more boolits already cast in the 250-260gr range that are sized and lubed and ready. Most of the load data for the 44-40 appears to center on the 200-205gr boolits though.
Anybody shooting the heavier ones in their sixguns (Italian clones) and using Unique?

I'm going to get out and cast a bunch of 200grainers later, but it's a shame to sit here and look at all these heavy boolits lying around. I had cast them because I had a 44 magnum briefly (about a week).... but Mom confiscated that for her coyote and raccoon shootin' and so now I don't use 44 boolits anymore. She doesn't live near me and she buys Zero bullets to shoot. (Don't feel bad, she did swap me her 1894C for the .44 Bisley SBH) She's 72, but she likes a big gun.

So...... who's shooting the heavies? Or should I just get busy and cast new ones?

Thanks from a noob in the 44-40 arena.

[Larry Gibson]

I use 8.5 gr under a Lyman 429360 SWC (245 gr). It's comfortable out of my Ruger Vaquero. At 9 gr ejection gets hard, not from psi but from the case taper and thin cases. I would consider 8.5 gr as max anyway in a Colt copy Uberti. Probably 7.5 or 8 gr with your heavier bullets.

[Beagle333]

Thanks. I may stick to 6.5 or maybe 7 and stay in the cowboy range. 'No need to torture my .44-40s til I get some 200s cast up. But it's good to know they will shoot those just fine.

[jim 44-40]

Old reloading manuel
I have shows 429383 with 7.0 - 9.3 grs unique and 429421 with 7.0-9.1 max, have shot many 250 gr in old ruger vaquero. Cylinder function was fine with longer oal in the ruger

[Kosh75287]

You may want to start closer to 6.0/Unique with 250 - 260 gr. projectiles. The neck on the .44-40 all but guarantees the heavier bullets will protrude into and reduce the usual case volume. I'd much prefer that you burn up a little extra propellant and time to approach a good load safely, than start your work-up with a charge weight that might be closer to max than any of us realizes.

[Larry Gibson]

Here are the loaded 44-40s with 429360 bullets in the Uberti cylinder. They just fit with an oal of 1.652".

Attachment 206986

[Texas by God]

My old fun load was the 240gr Lee TLswc over 6 grs of Unique from a Rossi lever action. It would kill a called up turkey as well.

[ddixie884]

Charlie Askins used 240gr handloads in his 44-40 New Service. wrote it down in a book........

[doc1876]

My 44-40 shoots .427s, and ,y .44sp is .429s, you might take this into consideration when shooting the .44 sp out of the .44-40. I know that several guys do it, but that is because the manufacturer made their .44-40 with a .44sp barrel.

[Larry Gibson]

I missed the post on shooting 44 SPLs out of 44-40s?

Both the 429360 (245 gr) and the Lee SWC (240 gr) are seated to the bottom of the 44-40 case neck and sized .430 and .429 which fits the Vaquero throats.

[9.3X62AL]

I haven't tried 240-260 grainers (yet) in my Uberti Cattleman, though I think the 1-16" twist rate in the barrel would likely support the bullet length and stabilize it downrange. In my '73 Winchester and its 1-38" twist.......I have my doubts.

I haven't explored the possibilities because SAECO #446 (200 grain flatnose) shoots so darn well in both firearms.

[doc1876]

Larry,
The op stated that he cast them for his .44mag, which the wife took from him, so I assumed that he cast .429s for it, and that was what he was wanting to use.............I could be wrong.

[Beagle333]

It arrived today!!! It's a Navy Arms Uberti, and apparently the throats are .430, because these bullets mic .4295 and I can push them on through with finger pressure.
These are dummies, just crimped in the groove to check the fit. I haven't made up any with any particular loads yet.

[9.3X62AL]

THAT is a BEAUTY.

[Larry Gibson]

That's one sweet looking SA......

[Piedmont]

Beagle333, Is that Uberti highly polished stainless or nickel plated?

[Beagle333]

It's nickel. And a pretty darn good job, based on the other nickel guns I have. I can't find flaw with it. At least, it was sold as a nickel gun, but I haven't been able to find any places that aren't nickel, such as inside the frame or trigger slot or hammer channel or anywhere that I can see, but I haven't had an opportunity to have it apart yet.
I did load it up today with some of the 250gr bullets and 6.3gr of Unique and it sure goes bang! I was just shooting at some sticks in the woods, but I really like the feel of it. Maybe I'll do some targets tomorrow.

[gpidaho]

Chuck; I use the 245gr Noe 429421 over 5.5gr of TiteGroup out of my Ruger Vaq. Gp Very pretty SA you have there! Enjoy

[Silver Jack Hammer]

You got the right model there Beagle333. I am acquiring black powder frame style Colt's with the base pin held by the screw rather than the spring loaded latch. I'm tired of that weak point in a single action. I'm starting to sell my spring loaded models. Colt's originally wanted the spring loaded latch in 1873, the Army nix'd the design on their guns.

[Beagle333]

This is my first one with the screw. I've never had a spring model fail, but maybe I've been lucky. I don't really have a preference yet toward that part of the design. Maybe this one will sway me to be a favorite. Day 4 and I'm still pretty happy with it. I think I'm going to like the 44-40.
I get a lot of warnings from people to watch for losing that screw, but I've shot open-top revolvers for a long time now, so it's old habit to keep a watch on all screws.