Editing to add as much as I can to this post, hoping to gather as much info into this single thread as possible. Please contribute!
Dedicated to the late John Kort, AKA Jack Christian/w30wcf. RIP, Sir, and thanks again for the hard work, help, and kindness.
Below is a couple of links to threads, videos, and websites that I have found VERY informative. I hope to add to this list, as well as update this thread with my continued experiences.
First, John Kort's legendary thread, which ran here on CB and over on CAS City. This is a MUST READ, and explains much of the history and challenge of blackpowder in the .44 Winchester. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...Powder-Journey
Another great thread of John's over on CAS City:
https://www.cascity.com/forumhall/in...topic=40683.20
Next, Bryan (Savvy Jack) Austin's INCREDIBLE website. Bryan was a friend of John's, and to my mind picked up the .44WCF baton from John. SO much cool and informative stuff on there- spend some time exploring and reading. My hat is off to Bryan and I am very grateful that he has put in the work to make all this info so beautifully accessible to us all. Here's the money quote from his site: **The purpose of this website is to share information, Historical and Modern information, debunking myths that the 44-40 is a weak "dead" cartridge. Modern factory loads and neutered handloads mis-represent the true performance of this great cartridge**https://sites.google.com/view/44winc...ter?authuser=0
Great thread on crimping: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...-Die-and-44-40
Thread on alloy hardness: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...0-Uberti-Henry
Next up is a video from one of my favorite YouTube channels- Mr. Capandball from Hungary. While no new info really, he has a few great videos on shooting blackpowder loads from an Uberti 1873 rifle, and along with videos of many other blackpowder and vintage guns, they are very enjoyable.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_1dxTkIUHg
That is all for now- though later I will add more about my reloading setup and talk more about issues I've had, improvements I am making, and etc. Please, if you have some good info to add or want to share your experiences shooting and reloading blackpowder .44WCF, chime in!