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Thread: 44-40 boolit

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
    historicfirearms's Avatar
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    44-40 boolit

    I just got an 1866 in 44-40 and am in need of a suitable mold. Use will be for plinking and maybe cowboy action shooting. Arsenal has this one http://arsenalmolds.com/bullet-molds...it=99999999999
    That has my interest because of the light weight using less lead and it has a generous lube groove in case I want to shoot black powder. I've never used a boolit with such short driving band. Do you think it will cause problems with cowboy level loads? Arsenal also has another boolit at 210 grains that looks like a good design but I'd rather go with the lighter one if I can get away with it.
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  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master Don McDowell's Avatar
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    This one works good in my new Winchester 73 , and carry's enough lube to shoot black powder.
    https://www.buffaloarms.com/429-200-...666-lym2660666
    Last edited by Don McDowell; 05-07-2019 at 10:16 AM.
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  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    I use Arsenals 432-210 with excellent results and it's crimp grove is just right for a .44-40

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    I looked the the drawing at the link you posted, and I see no issues with the short driving band as long as you stick to mild Cowboy loads which don't exceed black powder pressures, not to exceed about 13,000 psi, about 6 grains of a fast-burner such as Bullseye, TiteGroup, 700-X or Red Dot. For heavier charges you would probably want a bullet with a wider base band such as http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_...=43-190C-D.png
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  5. #5
    Boolit Grand Master

    Wayne Smith's Avatar
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    Original or modern make? Original probably needs .425 or so boolits, current make need .430 or so. Be aware of the difference when you order. I shoot the MAV big lube in my Uberti short rifle and revolvers with black and sized at .430. It is a 200gr boolit.
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  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    It's an old uberti import. The barrel slugs .427 groove and a fired case mouth measures .429 to .430 inside. Thanks for all the help everyone.
    I was a dog on a short chain.
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    Jim Harrison

  7. #7
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    I'd go with the 432-210-RF

    Has a better crimp groove. And it can be made to fit your bore. I have a old Uberti '73 24" that measures .427, I shoot nothing over .4285dia, I shoot Cowboy with it and it's older Little Carbine brother for almost 30yrs.

    Ya just gotta specify alloy and the dia. that you want the bullet to drop at. I use a LYMAN #429666 4cav that I bought when the came out 25yrs ago or so. Works well in my 2 COLT .44spl/.44-40 Revolvers too.

    That drops 210gr from COWW/#2 50/50 mix at .4295dia.
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  8. #8
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    Texas by God's Avatar
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    I have a Lee .427 inch sizing die if you need to borrow it, holler.

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  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    I used to cast the Lee .429 200 RNFP for several of my cowboy shooting friends with .44-40 rifles. Straight WW and depending upon your bore diameter you can use them unsized and lubed with 45-45-10. GF

  11. #11
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Walks View Post
    I'd go with the 432-210-RF

    Has a better crimp groove. And it can be made to fit your bore. I have a old Uberti '73 24" that measures .427, I shoot nothing over .4285dia, I shoot Cowboy with it and it's older Little Carbine brother for almost 30yrs.

    Ya just gotta specify alloy and the dia. that you want the bullet to drop at. I use a LYMAN #429666 4cav that I bought when the came out 25yrs ago or so. Works well in my 2 COLT .44spl/.44-40 Revolvers too.

    That drops 210gr from COWW/#2 50/50 mix at .4295dia.
    I have got an old Uberti 66 and it does not like heavier boolits.
    We have a CBE mold that drops 225grain (.655long) loaded over blackpowder they shoot fine up close (maybe out to 75 yards) but at 200 you would need to aim at a very large horse cuz you'd miss the rider and boolits are all sideways - same rifle shoots a 200gr RCBS just fine.
    Walks - your rifle is similar vintage to mine whats your story at longer ranges???

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    I did look at the Big Groove Lube boolits and liked the 44 slim boolit. It's a 180 grain truncated cone looks like it would shoot fine.
    I was a dog on a short chain.
    Now there's no chain.
    Jim Harrison

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check