44 Mag cylinder for a 44-40 Vaquero

[hittman]

couldn't figure out how to message you on this forum.

Probably covered in Rules

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[buckeyeshooter]

The fitting of an extra cylinder on the 44 mag. was easy. I bought an unchambered cylinder from Brownell's and gave it to a local gunsmith for boring and fitting. There is an easier way to do it, here you can buy a drop in cylinder. http://rugercyl.com/

On my 44-40 Vaquero it was easier and less costly, I just bought a used 44 magnum cylinder and put it in. I was lucky in that the length and timing were correct and no fitting was needed. All the cylinders 44-40 and 44 magnum are set up to use the .430 diameter of the Ruger barrel. It aids accuracy and more importantly, I only need to stock 1 size bullet diameter. As I use my vaqueros for cowboy action shooting, I use 44 magnum for smokeless classes and 44-40 loaded with black powder for black powder classes. I can decide what class and what kind of powder when I get to the shooting venue, I just keep both types of ammo and bring rifles in both chamberings with me.

 

[PartsGuy]

Thanks, rugercyl is out of cylinders and a number of cowboys had no success using them. Hondo 44 talked about reaming a 44 Mag to 44-40. That's what I want to find out about.

 

[loaded round]

I'd like to put my two cents into this discussion if I may. I bought a like new 44-40 Vaquero at a gun auction some time ago. Bought dies, cases, bullets etc and started loading for it. It was an excellent shooter in 44-40 and then I got curious. After two phone calls to Ruger, I found out that both their 44 mag and 44-40 Vaquero barrels had the same specs, So then I decided to make my Vaquero a convertible if I could find a 44 Mag cylinder. After a short period, I found a 44 mag Blackhawk cylinder on Gunbroker, and immediately purchased it. The front bearing on the cylinder needed to shortened several millimeters, and it was then a drop in. Timing was perfect and it shot 44 Spec loads about the same as my 44-40 loads, Approx. 11/2'' groups at 25 yards.. Haven't tried, nor do I intend to try, 44 Mag loads. It was an easy conversion for me and I assume it would be the same for our inquiring friend..

 

[buckeyeshooter]

If I was going to chamber a cylinder, I would look at buying a .357 cylinder to start with, I think it would be less expensive for the cylinder and easier to find. Otherwise, it would pretty much be the same process.