Vaquero Problem

[drt213]

I have a relative that recently picked up a stainless 44-40 Colt Vaquero circa 1996. He also got some used brass (multiple head stamps) and reload them to give it a try. He tells me the reloads will not fully chamber in the cylinder. Additionally, empty re-sized brass will not chamber either...all head stamps. I told him I think the cylinder needs reamed. What possibilities come to mind for you guys?

Thanks.

 

[Varminterror]

Where does the brass/cartridge stop? How far is it chambering?

 

[y2k-fxst]

Will factory loaded ammo seat? Are the reloaded brass ones that has been shot through your revolver? Thinking the shoulder has fire formed in a gun that the shoulder was cut deeper in.

 

[Sacramento Johnson]

Hi,
Yep, chamber throats and also chamber necks probably undersized from the factory (some early Ruger 44-40 had both problems; I had one like that, also). Send to Ruger and have them fix or replace the cylinder.
As for brass, Winchester and Starline brass best; throw everything else out. CBC/magtech and Remington the worst.
As for dies, make sure dies are setting the neck far enough back; factory ammo neck usually is set farther back than sammi spec, in my experience, just to avoid this problem.
Good caliber, especially for black powder.
One can occasionally find a spare Ruger 44 mag cylinder for sale and have it fitted to same gun; now one has a very handy conversion caliber gun; shoot 44-40, 44 mag or 44 spec (and 44 Russian!). (Ruger used the same .429 barrel for their 44-40 and 44 mag single action revolvers; 44-40 purists hated this (originally it was .427 barrel), but I think this was a great idea. Much easier to find bullets for reloading, with much wider selection.)
Don't give up on it; just get it fixed (then again, if he does give up, tell him to post it for sale here first!)
(Much, much harder to find a spare Ruger 44-40 cylinder to fit to a Ruger 44 mag gun.)

 

[DeletedMember275]

I would first check if a factory round will chamber. If it does, his sizing die probably needs to be adjusted to bump the case shoulder back a bit further. Take a fired case and size it repeatedly, turning the sizing die down about 1/2 turn at a time until the case will chamber. Once the case will chamber, I'd give the die another 1/4 turn, then tighten the lock ring.

 

[Jim Puke]

I would first check if a factory round will chamber. If it does, his sizing die probably needs to be adjusted to bump the case shoulder back a bit further. Take a fired case and size it repeatedly, turning the sizing die down about 1/2 turn at a time until the case will chamber. Once the case will chamber, I'd give the die another 1/4 turn, then tighten the lock ring.

X 2

If that doesn't work...on to Ruger.

 

[Terry T]

The thought does cross my mind that someone else already swapped out the 44-40 cyl for a 44 mag. cyl. Just a thought.
Terry T

 

[drt213]

Thanks for the responses. I'll try to answer the questions asked:

The re-sized brass goes into the cylinder except for about 1/4" .

None of the brass was fired from this gun and no factory ammo has been fired from the Vaquero by him...can't fine any locally.

The cylinder is numbered to the gun.

He has tried re-sizing the empty brass by bumping the die down and it still won't chamber.

He plans to call Ruger for help.

Thanks again.

 

[Varminterror]

The cylinder is numbered to the gun.

Ruger cylinders aren't serialized except for the convertibles.

I had a SMALL suspicion that it'd be possible that this is a rare 44-40/44mag convertible and you only have a 44mag cylinder, BUT, 1) they're rare, 2) I'd assume you're saavy enough to be able to look into the chamber and SEE the step of the shoulder, and 3) 44-40 shouldn't go "all but 1/4in" into a 44mag chamber.

Mic your reload necks. The mouth should be 0.443X" (I forget the last digit), and the neck at the shoulder should be 0.4443".

 

[ADP3]

Regarding cylinders stamped with serial numbers, never say never with Ruger. I have two identical New Vaquero .357's, 512-63XXX and 512-75XXX. The 512-75XXX gun has the last 3 digits of the serial number etched (scratched) into the cylinder face. Guns were bought new and Ruger doesn't offer a .357 convertible Vaquero.

Good luck with your 44-40. You'll enjoy it once you get the reloads straightened out.

Best Regards,
ADP3