44.40 barrels

[tomcat]

 I know, who wants an old 44-40. Has any one tried one on the encore frame?
Where I hunt is short range in lots of brush. And I don't like to get the snot kicked
out of me when it ain't a necesity.
 If anyone has any experince with this, please speak up.
  tomcat

[Lone Star]

Do you reload?  The .44-40 has very thin brass that can be a pain unless you are careful, and you have to lube cases.   A much more versatile choice would be a .44 Magnum barrel and carbide dies.  Use .44 Special loads for low recoil/report, although that is a bit on the low power side for deer.  Then you also have the ability to use reduced-recoil .44 Mag loads all the way up to full power snot-kickers....


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[tomcat]

 I don't reload and don't shoot very much. Maybe I'm just wanting to hold on
to the past. Used a Winchester 92 in this load back in the early sixties, and loved it
for shots under 100 yds. Big ole hunk of lead will knock the wind outa them quick.
 Was hoping someone out there had tried the encore with this barrel.
 Thanks,
  tomcat

[acasto]

Don't have that caliber in an encore, although when I saw your post, I was hoping you had one for sale.

Just started about 3 years ago reloading 44-40 for a 92 replica carbine.

Sure is fun shooting it. If you have reloaded before, you can do the 44-40 also. Just hit the cases with some Oneshot and your good to go. And, don't get real aggresive with the crimp and you will be fine.

Case walls are thin, but who said it has to be easy?

[Slowpoke Slim]

I do load the caliber, but only in my replica 1873 winchester, and only with real black powder.

I think you're going to have a hard time finding someone who has a 44-40 barrel made up for an Encore frame to talk to about it. Even on the Contender frame, I'll bet they're not many takers. I have a 45 Colt carbine barrel for my Contender, but I've not hunted with it.

You may do well to just get a 44 mag barrel and keep the load down around starting load. Plenty mild recoil in that huge Encore frame. I seriously doubt it will knock you around any.

And for the record, the 44-40 case isn't any harder to reload than any other case. You just can't be unconscious when you load. I've NEVER crushed a case either sizing, seating, or crimping. All it takes is a normal level of care in the loading process. Pretty easy really.

[csharps]

I have a 14 inch Contendere barrel in 44-40.  I reload....shoots like a beefed up 44 special or light 44 Magnum.  Only reason I have it...I like the blackpowder cartridges and cast bullets in Contenders.
Charlie