Choosing between two 44-40 moulds

[KirkD]

Gentlemen, I am trying to choose between the two following moulds for my 44-40. One is here http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,2532.html and the other is here http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,2982.html

My preference is the RCBS for two reasons: a) it is cheaper and b) it has a wider meplat. The RCBS bullet has a longer nose which, along with a wider meplat, tells me that these two bullets do not have exactly the same nose profile. I have found in the past that not all bullet feed equally well in a Model 92 action. For those of you have have one or both moulds, I have two questions:

1. When the bullets are crimped in the crimping groove, how do they feed through an original Model 92 action?

2. When the bullets are crimped in the crimping groove, how do they feed through an original Model '73 action?

[Ford SD]

I am doing some research myself i have a rossi in 44 mag (model 92 copy)
not the same as your 44-40
but what i have found comparing 2 -240 g bullets
#1) SWC 240g +- what the local store sells
length 0.740
nose length app 0.343
metaplate 0.300
loaded length 1.623
this bullet feeds but rubs and disforms on the top of the chamber when feeding

#2) SWC 240g +- (lyman rcbs) 429421#
length 0.719
nose length app 0.378
metaplate 0.278
loaded length 1.6733
feeds alot better than bullet #1 does not rub on nose even if nose is longer
(0.040 longer & metaplate Smaller)

so all i can think is that larger metaplate on bullet #1 is causing it to hang up

might not help you as different cartridge and you are prob looking for a 200g weight-- and watch out for too much shoulder hanging up as well

[405]

I like the Saeco no. 446 mould, it more resembles the original 44-40 boolit , but with a crimping groove. The original 44-40 boolit didn't have a crimp groove, but you need it in a tube magazine rifle. Lyman 42798 is the original style 44-40 w/o the crimp groove, Lyman has a crimp version now to. I have the Lyman and Saeco, not the RCBS. I also have both rifles.
I think the Saeco 446 will be more accurate then the RCBS version, maybe even feed better.
The 1892 Winchester feeds on a angle and is more fussy then the 1873 which feeds straight in.
OAL is what you'll have to watch, and the 44-40 case length, and CRIMP- not to much.
hope this helps,
Bill

Bill,
Couldn't have said it better myself. Have both 92s and 73s. None are modern repros but the issues are the same. The Saeco 446 works so well no need to experiment. I think some of the small commercial casters who supply the CAS shooters use a very similar design maybe by Magma?

[runfiverun]

the saeco is closer to the magma then the rcbs is.
the magma 44-40 boolit is very similar to the 452664 lyman in 45.
the magma also crimps correctly and feeds through my 92 copy nicely [flawlessly], it however barely makes 429 with ww+ tin alloy.

[Baron von Trollwhack]

The really critical thing is the tightness of your chamber and the groove size. You will have problems with a tight chamber and oversize grooves. Some of the colt clones show this. Try to check if possible with dummies. You can always shorten the case a little or seat out a bit. BvT

[Four Fingers of Death]

Whats this c hoose business? We generally buy both.

[KirkD]

Thank you for the input, men. The priority is to feed smooth as silk through a '92 action. I don't have a '73 in 44 WCF, but figured I should get a mould that will do both, in case I ever own a 44 WCF Model 1873.

[Just Duke]

I had trouble getting the SAECO 446 to feed in my 1873's as it is designed for the 44 magnum. I recently and finally aquired the SAECO 444 and it works flawlessly.

[59sharps]

I use the RCBS 429 240 Sil w/o a gas check installed work great for my at 100yrds w/ 27 grn 3fg.

[9.3X62AL]

The SAECO #446 has worked very well in my original '73 in 44-40 WCF. My mould casts 92/6/2 alloy at .431", so it is usable in the 44 Special and 44 Magnum at .431" and in my worn but serviceable 44-40 at .429". That crimping groove is perfectly placed for OAL in the 44-40.

[GabbyM]

In add linked above in post #1 for Saeco #446 they state meplat diameter as .28”. My #446 has a .320” meplat. That may be as close as Saeco can get these days.

Here is a photo of my Saeco #446 on right next to Lee 200gr RNFP on left. Mold was purchased in 2008.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/picture.php?albumid=32&pictureid=1771

[Don McDowell]

Kirk ,Dave Jennings a Montana Bullet works dot com is shipping bullets to Canada and the UK, so might want to trot over to his www. and order up a batch of each and then let your rifles tell you which mould to buy.

[missionary5155]

Good Morning
Just to throw a little more info out... BOTH my 1892 Winny 44-40´s shoot the saaco 433 (220 flat nose) Nicely. As the Baron said above the chamber is the determinig factor as brass can be shortened. But the Saaco 433 did not require any adjustments in the two Winnys I have shot it in. With 8 grains Unique it is accurate to 3" at 70 yards with me sitting in the dirt. At 9 grains it really packs a whallop & 10 grains (HOT) in my 92 models is reserved for "a bad day in the city". All these are cast soft.. 50-50. I do not have a model 73 to try it in as all my 73´s are 38-40 or 32-20 so far.

[KirkD]

A lot of very good info here men. Thank you. I'll have to go over it carefully and maybe check out a mould or two that I did not know about previously.

[reloader4410]

lyman 427666 shoots great in all my 44/40's using black powder, lube bees wax & olive oil, felt wad, soft lead, I use roofing lead found on old roof stacks.this mould can be found in 4 cavity. Carrys alot of lube. Hope this helps.

[Wayne Smith]

I have a Uberti '73 copy 44-40 that I use the Big Lube boolit that Dick Dastardly sells down in the Vendor's section. It works great with BP.

[cajun shooter]

The 92 is not fussy with the 44-40 bullets that I have fed mine. In fact the 1873 is the fussy one as the oal can't be over by .002 or it will not feed. My 92 feeds the 427098 seated out at 1.629 but my 73 has to have them at 1.547 or it will jamb. The elevator design of the cartridge carrier is great but it does have it's quirks. If shooting BP then the 427098 which is the original bullet or the Mav Dutchman will carry enough lube for rifle barrels.

[Grapeshot]

Gentlemen, I am trying to choose between the two following moulds for my 44-40. One is here http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,2532.html and the other is here http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,2982.html


2. When the bullets are crimped in the crimping groove, how do they feed through an original Model '73 action?

Using either the RCBS .44-40 205 gr. bullet or the 200 gr MAV Dutchman bullet, either will feed great when crimped in their crimp grooves when used in the 1873 Winchester.