44 wcf

[cwtebay]

Well...looks like I lost another one.
It's an 1892 take down (I know, I know - it's a miruko!!) in 44-40.
My 12 year old is now convinced that he "needs" it for youth deer this year.
I suppose that he sort of hit the 3" gong at 100 yards with a whole tube load... but dang it!!

Anyway, I am going to ask the commune about their favourite 44 WCF cast loads for deer and elk and black bear!

What y'all got?

Forgot about the photo last night.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210916/388c94e8e82015771a131d11a019c56b.jpg

[Outpost75]

My favorite .44-40 load is Accurate 40-206H semi wadcutter with 6 grains of Bullseye, Titegroup or 452AA, which approximates old school factory velocity, 880 fps revolver or 1150 fps carbine at safe pressures for black powder frame Colts or 1873 Winchester.

[Walks]

I load 8.5grs of Unique under an RCBS #44-200-CM, for use ONLY in a Win M92.
Modern clones a bit hotter.

[Tar Heel]

I like to hunt with Holy Black. I use the Lee 429-200-RF over 34.7gr (weight) of Graf FFFG or use one of the 30gr Pyrodex Pistol Pellets. I do not put a grease cookie under the bullet. I lube with White's BP01 lube. I have to tell ya, the Pyrodex Pellet gives a snappy load.

[Savvy Jack]

I suppose that he sort of hit the 3" gong at 100 yards with a whole tube

Pretty sure he needs to use that load right there!!!

[beltfed]

44 WCF load for my M92 first yr production rifle.
RP cases, WLR Primer, 22 gr IMR 4227/ LYman 429434 -200gr FPHP gas check
clocks about 1350fps. accurate and deadly on deer.
One shot thru heart at 65 yds, one kill on my second last buck
beltfed/arnie

[cwtebay]

Pretty sure he needs to use that load right there!!!Haha!! You're probably right, I was just looking for other folks' experiences!

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[Savvy Jack]

Haha!! You're probably right, I was just looking for other folks' experiences!

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

What loads was he shooting. A magtube full at 3" @ 100 yards is very impressive.




44 WCF load for my M92 first yr production rifle.
RP cases, WLR Primer, 22 gr IMR 4227/ LYman 429434 -200gr FPHP gas check
clocks about 1350fps. accurate and deadly on deer.
One shot thru heart at 65 yds, one kill on my second last buck
beltfed/arnie


Now there is a nice load for a 92'

[1Hawkeye]

Arsenals 432-210. 210 gr lfn with 8.3 grs of unique.

[cwtebay]

What loads was he shooting. A magtube full at 3" @ 100 yards is very impressive.






Now there is a nice load for a 92'200 grain cast with a gas check (from a Lyman 429215GC)IMR-4227 - 21.5gr.
I think that they're going 1425fps +/- from that rifle.
And yes, he is an excellent marksman. Repeatability...... not sure!!

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[Savvy Jack]

200 grain cast with a gas check (from a Lyman 429215GC)IMR-4227 - 21.5gr.
I think that they're going 1425fps +/- from that rifle.
And yes, he is an excellent marksman. Repeatability...... not sure!!

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

Oh heck yeah! Great combination. I used 20gr IMR-4227 with a 217gr 43-215C. I was getting 1,418fps on average in the 20" testing barrel @ 16,500psi...which should be pushing 19,500cup. However, I also loaded .5cc of PSB shot buffer. Adding buffer certainly increase pressures.

[Texas by God]

I'm itching to take a deer with my 44-40. I'm using either an unknown origin 200grRFN, a Lee TL 240gr SWC, or( looks both ways) a generic 200gr JHP......over 9.5 grs of Unique. I don't know the velocity from my 20" barrel, but I have confidence that any of the above will work.

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[Larry Gibson]

I use the 44-40 in an original Ruger Vaquero and a Chiapa/Cimmaron M92. Thus I load the cartridge to a bit higher pressures. In the M92 I use 44 magnum data which pressure testing has shown to produce 90% of the 44 magnum pressure when the same load is used in the 44-40. While I've not killed any deer with the 44-40 I have with a 44 magnum carbine. I have also hunted/shot several Texas whitetails.

In the 44-40 M92 carbine I would suggest using the Lyman 429215 or the RCBS 430-225-SWC at 1400 - 1600 fps. The usual 44 magnum powders [Blue Dot, 2400, 4227] will get you there with relatively mild pressures, nothing the M92 can't handle with aplomb. I'd use the 429215 cast of 16-1 alloy and my mould gives fully dressed (GC'd and Lubed) bullets at 220 gr. I also would HP the loaded bullets with the Forster 1/8" HP tool to 3/16" deep. Not really necessary but would give a bit better terminal effect on the relatively smaller Texas deer. The recoil should be fine with your boy.

[Savvy Jack]

I use the 44-40 in an original Ruger Vaquero and a Chiapa/Cimmaron M92. Thus I load the cartridge to a bit higher pressures. In the M92 I use 44 magnum data which pressure testing has shown to produce 90% of the 44 magnum pressure when the same load is used in the 44-40. While I've not killed any deer with the 44-40 I have with a 44 magnum carbine. I have also hunted/shot several Texas whitetails.

In the 44-40 M92 carbine I would suggest using the Lyman 429215 or the RCBS 430-225-SWC at 1400 - 1600 fps. The usual 44 magnum powders [Blue Dot, 2400, 4227] will get you there with relatively mild pressures, nothing the M92 can't handle with aplomb. I'd use the 429215 cast of 16-1 alloy and my mould gives fully dressed (GC'd and Lubed) bullets at 220 gr. I also would HP the loaded bullets with the Forster 1/8" HP tool to 3/16" deep. Not really necessary but would give a bit better terminal effect on the relatively smaller Texas deer. The recoil should be fine with your boy.


I tried some loads with the Pressuretrace II that I sent you. Below is what I documented...maybe it will help.

200gr Hornady XTP

44-40/10gr Unique/1,292fps/15,400 psi/maybe 18,500 cup
44 Magnum/10.5gr (Lyman data)/21,000 cup/maybe 17,000 psi

44-40/22gr IMR4227/1,429fps/15,022 psi/maybe 18,000 cup
44 Magnum/22.8gr (Lyman data)/22,800 cup/maybe 19,288 psi

[Rodfac]

I've had good luck with a 1920 Model 92 .44-40 and Lyman's 429215gc sized 0.429". Win 231 works well in loadings from 7.2 to 7.9. As does Herco & Unique at 8.0 grains. With a Marbles tang peep installed, both of these loads will do a bit over an inch at 50 yds and chrono from 1070 fps to 1150. The rifle's got a blackened bore, that I've cleaned as much as possible but the GC seems to make the difference. It's a bit light for deer unless you limit shots to 50 yds or less IMHO. Regards Rod