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Offline The Shrink

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Loading 44-40
« on: October 12, 2003, 01:35:12 PM »
I'm casting 200 grain bullets for the 44-40, and have loaded 2400 in it with unburned powder left in the case and Unique without unburned powder.  These were light loads, too.

Is this common with 2400?  I never had that problem in my 44 Mag, but then I was using Mag primers in that.

These were just the powders I had on hand.  Do you have any favorite loads?  I'm using the Lee bullet and Lee liquid alox lube.  

OK, I know about 40 grs FFG!  Just haven't done it yet.  

I'm shooting a Uberti Cattleman with a 4 3/4" barrel and bird's head grips.  It's beautiful!
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Wayne the Shrink

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Offline HWooldridge

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Loading 44-40
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2003, 11:41:30 AM »
Shrink,

I use 7.0g WW231, Win LP primer and 200gr bullet.  I have also shot 2400 and had unburned powder.  I suspect it is from too light a bullet and not enough crimp so not enough resistance to the charge.  I use a 200 gr bullet and my own lube for both BP and smokeless (50% Crisco, 25% Murphy's soap and 25% beeswax, by weight).  My first centerfire ever was a 44-40 SAA Colt and it is still one of my favorite cartridges.
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Offline Flint

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4440
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2003, 03:09:22 PM »
I don't think you could get a 2400 load that got up to pressure for a clean burn without being dangerous in anything but a Ruger...  Stay with standard "Cowboy" loads, or stay under 1000 fps in a Cattleman.  Try 8.0 gr of Unique.
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Offline Shorty

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Loading 44-40
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2003, 12:36:42 PM »
Wayne,
A lot of folk don't like Bullseye (too sooty, too little volume), but I've been loading .44-40 with 5.0 gr of that under 200 gr leads for carbine, rifle and revolver for many years. :grin:
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Offline Sweetwater Jack

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Loading 44-40
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2003, 08:14:14 PM »
I've been shooting .44-40s with 200 gr home-cast bullets sized .429 on a Star lube-sizer for a couple of years, using 5.1 grains of Hodgdon CLAYS. Real clean, real accurate.  Used 7.8-8.0 grains of Unique for years. Good loads, but not as clean-burning as Clays.  Just my experience, your mileage may vary. :wink:
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