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Thread: .44-40 Rossi Short and Long Rifles

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    .44-40 Rossi Short and Long Rifles

    I have two Rossi .44-40's, one 20" hex barrel and the other is 24" hex barrel. 20" I used in SASS for many years, the other I picked up this year. Both are before the safety. I received the long one but heart problems stopped me shooting till now. With my old eyes they both group close to each other at 100 yards, 3"-4" but grandson can hold under 3" from rest. I seen where someone, CRS has set in, was using 240 gr not 200 gr lead in the .44 WCF. I would like to know where to buy 500 bullets sized to .429"-.430" weighing close to 240 gr to see how they shoot in the 2 rifles before getting a mold. I use FFFg black powder or 777 more than smokeless but would take some smokeless load data to use with the heavy bullets.

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    Try the Bull Shop web site. It appears they have what you are looking for.

    Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    We have some very experienced 44/40 loaders here be patient and they will show up with good recommendations for you.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    I have both Lyman 215 and 240 moulds ,and if shooting paper ,I cant see using more lead than necessary...I also think the 215 is more accurate beyond 100 yards,but dont have anything to back that up.

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy Johnny_Cyclone's Avatar
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    Might try Castboolits member: Springfield

    Send him a PM
    http://castboolits.gunloads.com/memb...11-Springfield

    He has a good selection to choose from on his site:
    http://www.whyteleatherworks.com/BigLube.html

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    I got the 24" to hunt with, is why I am looking for the 240 gr info. Springfield's MVA 44 200 gr behind 38 grs FFFg black powder has taken 2 deer in my grandsons Uberti Yellowboy Model 66. Both deer dropped within 25 yards.

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy Johnny_Cyclone's Avatar
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    Somehow between reading your post and seeking I forgot the 240gr part.. how about this:

    http://mobullets.com/details.php?prodId=263&category=5

  8. #8
    Boolit Mold
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    I'll double on the Bull Shop.

  9. #9
    Boolit Grand Master


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    For years we have used the Saeco 443 in all our 44 WCFs. A 220gr fnpb officially but drops near 228 from our range srcap at .431.. With 3F Goex and 5-8 grains of Unique depending on a real 73 or any 92 it thwaps with authority and usually exits.
    "Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
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  10. #10
    Boolit Bub
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    Quote Originally Posted by warren5421 View Post
    I have two Rossi .44-40's, one 20" hex barrel and the other is 24" hex barrel. 20" I used in SASS for many years, the other I picked up this year. Both are before the safety. I received the long one but heart problems stopped me shooting till now. With my old eyes they both group close to each other at 100 yards, 3"-4" but grandson can hold under 3" from rest. I seen where someone, CRS has set in, was using 240 gr not 200 gr lead in the .44 WCF. I would like to know where to buy 500 bullets sized to .429"-.430" weighing close to 240 gr to see how they shoot in the 2 rifles before getting a mold. I use FFFg black powder or 777 more than smokeless but would take some smokeless load data to use with the heavy bullets.
    You might look at GT Bullets. Its a long wait right now though.

  11. #11
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    Texas by God's Avatar
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    The Rossi Puma 44-40 that I used to have loved the Lee TL 240gr SWC over 6 grs of Unique. Tumble lubed as cast.

    Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

  12. #12
    Boolit Master


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    I used to shoot the Magma 225gr RNFP in My Uberti '73 - 24" over 30grs 2F or Pyrodex CTG with a OX-YOKE Wonder Wad over the powder. Bought the bullets sized .428dia unlubed. Lubed with T/C bore butter by hand.
    Gave up even the Frontiersman SideMatches after they stole EOT from THE COTO COWBOY'S and moved it to NM.

    The EMF/Rossi '92 -24" in .44-40 will shoot the same bullets over a charge of TiteGroup all day long into 3" from the bench.
    I HATE auto-correct

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  13. #13
    Boolit Master rondog's Avatar
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    Man, I had an unfired .44-40 Puma Short Rifle in my hands at a LGS, in on consignment, but the seller hadn't put a price on it yet (odd situation, involving several rifles). I wanted it badly and had cash, but the seller backed out and pulled several guns out, and that was one of 'em. Still po'd about that.

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
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    The 1995 and 1996 Alliant manuals list .44-40 loads with 23.5 grains of Reloder 7 under a 240 grain bullet.

    You can get soft cast 240 grain bullets sized to .430 from cowboybullets.com. They list their lube as BP-compatible but their design doesn't carry enough lube to keep the bore from fouling out in a 24" barrel if loaded over BP (might work in the 20" barrel).

    I've shot plenty of their 200 grain bullets in my Cimarron 1873 and 1860 Henry over Unique with fine results.

    Edit:

    For blackpowder .44 WCF I use the Accurate 43-215C, designed by John Kort. It drops at 219 grains when cast from 1:20 alloy. I lube it with 50/50 beeswax/mutton tallow. It carries plenty of lube when loaded even when loaded over 2.2cc (35 grains) of 2Fg Goex. It shoots very well in both my rifles, and also in my Uberti Bisley revolver in .44 WCF.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Accurate 43-206H, 43-229H or 43-230G with 1 to 30 tin - lead from Roto Metals, sized .430 and lubed with 1 part Dextron ATF to 4 parts beeswax by melted liquid volume. Load either 6 grains Bullseye, 7 grains WST, 452AA, or 231, 8 grains Unique, 9 grains of Herco, 16 grains of #2400 or 17.5 grains IMR4227. Safe for pre-war Colts and 1873 Winchester. Approximates velocity of pre-WW2 factory loads.
    The ENEMY is listening.
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  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    Savvy Jack on the SASS wire is where I seen the info on 240 gr. lead bullet. Looks like it was with LEE dies at one time.

  17. #17
    Boolit Bub
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    Does anyone use H4198? Preferably with 200gn bullets. It has a similar burn rate to RL7 but I already use H4198 in my 45-70. For me it's easier to get.

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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