Thread: 44-40 Reloading/Shooting

@Arthur McBride what position have you found best for bench rest accuracy ?

just like a BLR...have off hand on the magazine NOT on forestock....actually come to think of it I did same with the old 94 30/30 too.... think its the flex of foreend not being same each time that throws shots.doesnt matter a bit when shooting offhand,you wont notice difference.
pleased these rifles are working for you.

Mmmm @Arthur McBride love the wet t-towell, hadn't thought of that one. Count me in!

Interesting @Arthur McBride that you mention smokeless under bp to assist ignition. My copy of Townsend Whelens book says it the other way round bp to spark the smokeless as primers were not always hot enough to ignite the early nitro powders.
But adding a slug of smokeless is a useful trick to reduce fouling with BP that ups velocity slightly and does improve accuracy -across a long string of shots.

@Arthur McBride my memory played tricks on me it wasn't Townsend Whelan, it was Frank Barnes and John Amber in a 1962 copy of cartridges of the world in a section on priming devices, propellants and projectiles. It took me a while to find it but here is an excerpt.

now that explains a few things nicely....and really makes me wonder how I ended up with two 22-250 loaded rounds with copper primers..... have no idea why mate would even HAVE copper primers.

had quite a read up on duplex loading last night.....1 grn of smokeless and drop 3grns of black powder seems to be the go to...and less than 10% smokeless seems to be ideal.....
different types of smokeless are mentioned.... has definately got me thinking trying small amount, say 4-5grns of smokeless in 45/70 case filled up with black powder...should make cleaning up afterwards much easier from all accounts.
interesting the black is easier to ignite than nitro.....
I was going to poke the little bit of smokeless in first..but it may be just as good in middle or on top...
the reason I thought about duplex in first instance was due to verdigrises on primers on two loads of black powder that have been loaded for six months....
one ignited after being hit 2nd time....the other load wouldnt go off....pulled it when got home and powder was caked in case but dry.primer had failed to ignite at all.
thoughts???
apoligies to OP FOR THREAD HI-JACK

I love the way threads morph..fill yer boots.

awesome thanks...I enjoy 45grns of 2208 for a smokeless load.....recoil is there but not fierce so perfect,should be about 1600fps with 390-400 grn projectiles.

will do as you have suggested and only put small amount on bottom of case.....you struck corrosion on primers before??? maybe they were kept loaded for too long....

Originally Posted by Jhon

Anyone reloading ? or shooting 44-40 WCF?

Picked up a Rossi Puma 20" unexpectedly lol.

Another fun calibre to get into. I'm not into CAS so will be playing with Bush distance hunting loads.

If someone has a Rossi Puma can you confirm they used the .429 bore (44Mag) rather than the original. 427 ? Would simplify life if I use the same slug as for the 44Mag.

Some modern 44-40 manufactured rifles use .429 bores BUT the twist rate may be different for the 44-40 and 44 Magnum.

Originally Posted by Bryan Austin

Some modern 44-40 manufactured rifles use .429 bores BUT the twist rate may be different for the 44-40 and 44 Magnum.

Ha, sleepless night? Yes noted re twist. For 240gn projectiles I'm not sure there is an issue. Apparently all Rossi Pumas have a 1:30 twist. Have not measured that tho. What was the original twist for 44-40 do you know?

I really think that everyone is overthinking this topic.
20 Gr 2205 and cast hollow point knocks over Goats and Wallabies at reasonable ranges and 7 Gr AP70 for paper.
Only thing is Lee factory crimp die is essential for tube mags.I shoot original 92,s Remington pump and 73 Winchester and as long as crimp and length are right it shoots no problem.

Originally Posted by Bryan Austin

Some modern 44-40 manufactured rifles use .429 bores BUT the twist rate may be different for the 44-40 and 44 Magnum.

All modern 44/40's have ,429" barrels the twist rates are more diverse depending on manufacturer the from 1:36" to 1:20"

This is the one I have should should shoot in all of them it is a clone of the original the important measurement is from the crimp groove
forward much longer will have feed issues.

Originally Posted by Jhon

To Arthur, thks for the further info/comments. Guess I'll stick to the AR2207 for the mo. Although crimping the case behind the bullet is an interesting idea.
As to black powder, loved shooting a mates musket a couple of times. Lungs couldn't handle the smoke. Lube smoke is bad enough. And then the residue from that stuff is terribly corrosive. Happy to avoid.

Simple roller using small cut off saw blade with teeth dulled off.

Originally Posted by Tedz50

Attachment 178745 Simple roller using small cut off saw blade with teeth dulled off.

For case crimp?