44-40 Mold Help?

[Terryrm1-03]

Hi Guys! Just recvd an 1888 Winchester 73-44-40. I bought some .430 215 gr boolits from a lead boolit caster. They shot GREAT!
Sooooooo, now I need info for a reasonable priced mold for my 44-40.
Prefer .431 or so. Shooting Smokeless Powder. So I'm not looking for the BP Bump etc. I use BP alot, just want to shoot nice and casual rounds, with smokeless. Please don't comment how I need to shoot BP.
Anyone know of a decent mold that doesn't cost an arm and a leg just to plink with?
.430-.431 200-215gr
Thanks for your help, Terry

[Grapeshot]

RCBS, Lyman and Lee both make great .44-40 molds. The Lee will be the cheapest while Lyman makes both the traditional and cowboy molds. Likewise with the RCBS line-up.

[smkummer]

I am using Lee's 200 FP bullet (429-200 RF). Mine drops at .430-431. I am shooting an original Remington 1875 in 44-40. I found a 700X cowboy load in the 7000 psi range and it has not hurt the gun at all, and I have shot it in a cowboy match. For what its worth, the original Remington 1875 had very over size chambers when chambered for 44-40, so loading the bullets as cast give me acceptable accuracy and they chamber fine. Good luck

[Larry Gibson]

"I am using Lee's 200 FP bullet (429-200 RF). Mine drops at .430-431."

Mine too. The lee is an excellent mould and you can get it in a 6 Cavity.

Larry Gibson

[Terryrm1-03]

Thanks Guys! My Lee mold is ordered! Just what I needed to hear!
Terry

[w30wcf]

Terry,
If you prefer a .431" diameter bullet, the most sure way is to order a mold from Accurate Mold, NOE or similar mold producers. Personally, I have used the Lee 200 in my .44-40 and it does ok, but I find that the Accurate 43-220C which is the original .44-40 bullet but with a crimp groove added for smokeless and can be ordered in .431 dia. to be a superior choice for accuracy....at least in my rifle. Also the cartridge o.a.l. will be closer to original ctg dimensions @ 1.59" while a cartridge with the Lee 200 is .05" shorter.

The RCBS 200 (215 grs in w.w) is also an excellent .44-40 bullet although typical molds drop bullets at .428" diameter.

w30wcf

[Jon K]

As w30wcf says RCBS will drop small...so will Lyman.
I've had good results with NOE 432-205. I size to .4305, for 1894 Marlin circa 1902.

Jon

[salvadore]

I think the Lee with the crimp groove will be a nice bullet for the 44/40, and the accurate molds are great, but more expensive. BTW, I once had a 42798 Lyman that cast to .434