Loading the 44-40

[Wyandot Jim]

Well Guys,

After hearing all the horror stories about loading the 44-40 with the thin case has kept me from getting a 44-40. Well I found no problem after loading around 200 with a Lee Turret Press, just slow used to the Dillon 650, for the 1860 Henry.

Brass is both new and used Starline and not lubed, 200 gr bullet with 3F 777 just to the bottom of the bullet. New Lee Steel Dies and their factory crimp die. Barrel slugged out at .425 so loaded .427 bullets. Some of the Henrys use .430s.

So bottom line not any different than loading 45 Colt.

Jim

 

[Tx gun runner]

I've reloaded and shot the same 44-40 brass over 90 times in almost 16 yrs without 1 case failure of shooting SASS .
I'm a firm believer in the M-die and cast bullets . My level 3 loads match the 44 mag in my Vaquero and 92 lever for hunting

 

[Old Judge Creek]

I've never found reloading the 44-40 to be a problem either. It's one of my favorite rounds.

Here are some of my 44-40 battery

 

[Rainman]

I've never had any problems either using Starline brass for my Marlin 1984 Cowboy Limited and Ruger Vaquero. I use standard RCBS dies and Lee Factory Crimp Die.

Tell me about the "M" die.

Dan

 

[Tx gun runner]

Tell me about the "M" die.
Dan

http://www.lasc.us/Brennan_LymanMDies.htm

Allow you to start the bullet in case by hand like in pic without making the brass look like a funnel and over work the brass , it also makes the bullet go straight in case .

 

[Rclark]

You do have to 'lube' the cases though don't you?

 

[Wyandot Jim]

You do have to 'lube' the cases though don't you?

I DID NOT. I always do lube with the Dillon spray lube even with carbide dies. WHY because dillon says to and it makes the press work smoother.
Since these ran good I didn't feel it was required. If cases run good leave them alone. To much lube can be a problem
Jim

 

[Tx gun runner]

I use this lube [ my dog loves he eat 2 tubs ] only a super small film on your fingers will do about 8 cases and will last you about 10,000 case and it keep your brass clean and no need to take off would hurt primers . READ THE REVIEW

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/758495/hornady-unique-case-lube-4-oz-tub

 

[Wyandot Jim]

I use this lube [ my dog loves he eat 2 tubs ] only a super small film on your fingers will do about 8 cases and will last you about 10,000 case and it keep your brass clean and no need to take off would hurt primers . READ THE REVIEW

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/758495/hornady-unique-case-lube-4-oz-tub

SOOOOOOOOOOOO,
You are telling me that you use a paste type lube that you have to put on each case with your fingers?? Keep the case clean. Well that is why I have a Dillon case polisher that holds 500 rounds of 38/45s
Well Pard that is way to much work just to lube a case when ya load 1000s of rounds. This is how Dillon lube works. I put 300-400 rounds in a box spray on the lube and tumble with my hands a few seconds. It also works with 45-70 cases which were a pain to do with other type of lubes. Get to much of the paste stuff and it will crush the case.
I want everything simple.
I don't shoot to reload.
I reload to shoot :wink: Big difference :roll:

 

[Rclark]

Thanks! Well, that is interesting as it was one thing keeping me back from .44-40. I do like not having to lube my revolver cases (and haven't since '80s) . Like it 'simple' too . BTW, my .357 and .44Mag dies have been in use since then and no problems noted. Note I do only use a Hornady single stage press, not progressive.... I don't mind lubing rifle cases as I shoot so few (maybe 10 last year, and not reloaded yet).

 

[Tx gun runner]

HA , HA , I old school I sit in ft of TV one night and clean pocket primer and then when that done I put the lube on and check brass for cracks or defects and then I size then in my Rockchucker , and then I seat the primers with a Lee hand tool . The last step is powder , bullet and seat it in 1 step and complete . It's not fast but it work for me since 1968 . I have a Lyman turbo case cleaner I maybe used it 3 time in the last 20 yrs . Here my portable reloading bench I reload in ft of TV . I've had the Dillon and Hornady progressive presses I don't like them ....

 

[Wyandot Jim]

HA , HA , I old school I sit in ft of TV one night and clean pocket primer and then when that done I put the lube on and check brass for cracks or defects and then I size then in my Rockchucker , and then I seat the primers with a Lee hand tool . The last step is powder , bullet and seat it in 1 step and complete . It's not fast but it work for me since 1968 . I have a Lyman turbo case cleaner I maybe used it 3 time in the last 20 yrs . Here my portable reloading bench I reload in ft of TV . I've had the Dillon and Hornady progressive presses I don't like them ....

Hey Tx gun runner

Don't ya think that vise is a little over kill for seating a primer. :lol:
Maybe ya do need to get a different lube :wink:
Just keep it simple,
Jim

 

[Tx gun runner]

I bet I have 6 different case lubes and 2 sprays , I use only the Unique it not greasy . I don't get any high primers when I use that vice . The RCBS is a single feed primer too . Very hard find them and it is my main priming tool .

 

[Wyandot Jim]

I bet I have 6 different case lubes and 2 sprays , I use only the Unique it not greasy . I don't get any high primers when I use that vice . The RCBS is a single feed primer too . Very hard find them and it is my main priming tool .

Well Ya know if you would just spend a few more bucks for a good press. They come with the primer takeie outie and the primer putie in thing. :lol:
The more ya load the more ya can shoot :wink:
Take care Pard,
Jim

 

[Tx gun runner]

Jim I'm a perfections . I can't make just make ok ammo , it must be benchrest top of the line ammo to make a target go ding . If I'm building something and it if take 6 screws and I only have 5 matching slotted screws and 1 phillip . I will drive to the store to get 6 matching screws .

 

[desertrat]

Bought the .45 Colt cartridge firearm years ago but really wanted the .44-40. Didn't buy it because of rumors like mentioned here. After reading (& seeing pics) I want one.....lol.

 

[Tx gun runner]

Remember the 44-40 , 38-40 and 32-20 where designed to feed in a lever gun and the case sealed well to keeps all the black powder dirt out of the action . The early 45 Colts ammo didn't have much of a rim for the level gun could grab and extract brass . Remington - Peters made high speed 44-40 made for the 92 winchester not for 66 , 73 and Colt handguns . I guess you could call it a 44-40 mag .

 

[Hammerdown77]

Dang it all. You boys are making me want a 44-40 now.

I also use a little case lube for my Dillon. Especially the longer cases 44/45/454, although the 9mm stuff tends to stick a bit too, even with carbide dies. I use Hornady One-Shot; spray it on the cases in a plastic container, tumble cases around for 20-30 seconds, load. No, I don't HAVE TO use it, but it makes the operation of the press slicker'n goose snot...

 

[Tx gun runner]

Dang it all. You boys are making me want a 44-40 now.

I also use a little case lube for my Dillon. Especially the longer cases 44/45/454, although the 9mm stuff tends to stick a bit too, even with carbide dies. I use Hornady One-Shot; spray it on the cases in a plastic container, tumble cases around for 20-30 seconds, load. No, I don't HAVE TO use it, but it makes the operation of the press slicker'n goose snot...

The 44-40 resize with less than 1/5 of the handle presser of a straight wall case and almost without lube .

 

[Ethang]

Thanks. Another caliber I don't own that I now want. Thanks a lot.

 

[Cheesewhiz]

I reload my 44-40's on one of my friend's presses. SNS Casting lead and Remington jacketed, Unique powder and I'm looking at WSF for a change. If the WSF works well, I may start loading them on my Hornady AP.

 

[Rclark]

Thanks. Another caliber I don't own that I now want. Thanks a lot.

.... Now in the same boat :roll: ... In this case, enlightenment wasn't a 'good' thing . Hah!

 

[Olsherm]

I love them old calibers.I load for them both.They shoot cleaner(cases cleaner)and it just feels good to shoot my 44.I only have 3 44/40's and two 38/40's.I must really like them. However they are a bit more finnicky to load.Just have to go a little slower. And some bullets won't chamber in every make of gun.Or maybe it is the amount of crimp ect?? Two things I did that helped me was to:trim my cases to the same length to help with uniform crimp.(new cases are not the same length) I also got myself a Redding special competition bullet seater.

 

[Tx gun runner]

Ruger screwed up the 44-40 Vaquero's . My two 4 5/8 guns I sent back to Ruger and the put new barrels and cylinders in both guns . The other 2 were late models and were perfect . Only my derringer has a .427 barrel like Colts and my Vaquero's and Rossi are all .429 like the Uberti guns . Set your dies up to fit the Vaquero and you will have no problem with fit of other guns .

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Hey TGR,
That sure is one great looking 92. :wink:
What was wrong with the Rugers that you had to send them back??
How ya liking Texas by the way??
My 1987 Uberti Henry is .425 barrel. The newer ones are .429

 

[Tx gun runner]

Hey TGR,
That sure is one great looking 92. :wink:
What was wrong with the Rugers that you had to send them back??
How ya liking Texas by the way??
My 1987 Uberti Henry is .425 barrel. The newer ones are .429

This will explane it better then me .

http://www.singleactions.com/4440Vaqueros.pdf

 

[Mike Armstrong]

Winchester also made a very powerful .44-40, .38-40, and .32-20 loading. If you ever find any of these calibers marked "WHV" don't shoot them in anything but a Win '92, '85, or a Marlin '94 or Savage Model 23 bolt action.
Actually I wouldn't shoot them at all since they have considerable value to a cartridge collector.

I have my grandfather's Colt New Service .44-40, but I don't shoot the high velocity handloads in it; it's just too old to stress. I do shoot them in a replica Win 1885 made by C. Sharps in Montana. It has a .429 Badger barrel and is the most accurate .44-40 I've ever shot. It likes the "Leverrevolution" .44 mag bullets, too!