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Thread: 44 wcf

  1. #1
    Boolit Master
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    44 wcf

    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.
    Last edited by cwtebay; 09-16-2021 at 09:05 AM.

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    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.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

  3. #3
    Boolit Master


    Walks's Avatar
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    I load 8.5grs of Unique under an RCBS #44-200-CM, for use ONLY in a Win M92.
    Modern clones a bit hotter.
    I HATE auto-correct

    Happiness is a Warm GUN & more ammo to shoot in it.

    My Experience and My Opinion, are just that, Mine.

    SASS #375 Life

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    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.

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by cwtebay View Post
    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!!!

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    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

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Savvy Jack View Post
    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

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by cwtebay View Post
    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.



    Quote Originally Posted by beltfed View Post
    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'

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    Arsenals 432-210. 210 gr lfn with 8.3 grs of unique.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Savvy Jack View Post
    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

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by cwtebay View Post
    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.

  12. #12
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    Texas by God's Avatar
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    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

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master


    Larry Gibson's Avatar
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    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.
    Larry Gibson

    “Deficient observation is merely a form of ignorance and responsible for the many morbid notions and foolish ideas prevailing.”
    ― Nikola Tesla

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by Larry Gibson View Post
    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

  15. #15
    Boolit Master Rodfac's Avatar
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    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
    Rod

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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