Re-Loading .44-40

[1972]

Can any of you gentlemen give me some advice on re-loading for the .44-40?

I am in the process of getting revolvers and a rifle in .44-40 and will obviously need to be re-loading for them.

I currently re-load for my 45 Colt.

Anyway - I use a Dillon XL650 and when I went to look for dies it seems Dillon does NOT offer dies for .44-40.  I am assuming the machine WILL re-load the .44-40 because it reloads .223 - which is necked down case.  So it should work.  But they don't seem to offer dies for it.

I also heard that nobody makes carbide dies for the .44-40 because it is a necked down case - which seems strange.

So - anybody using a Dillon to load their .44-40 that can give me some advice on where to get dies that will work in my Dillon?

Thanks Gentlemen

[Major 2]

We will be learning together.... your correct I did not find carbide dyes either but I understand Lube is your friend...I have Lee 44/40 dyes however and they will work on my Lyman Turret .

My 73 is in 44 Special , and my Conversions are 44 Colt.
I did not need 44/40 until I acquired my HRA Henry back in Nov. so I had to add that to my loading tasks...

Wiser pards will benefit us both , Oh and I'll be using Old Ensford  BP .

[eljay]

i have just started reloading for the .44-40 after not owning one for over 20 years, bought a rossi then a ASP '73, the rossi loves 8 grains of ADI (aussie) AP70 with a 200 grain cast bullet, and the '73 works very well with 6.5 grains of trailboss with the same pill. my dies are lee, in a lee turret press, i dont bother with lube and the cases resize just fine, probably because the necks are so thin, but it works for me.

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[Blackpowder Burn]

Any brand of 44-40 (44WCF) dies will work in the Dillon 650, as it takes any standard 7/8-14 thread dies.  This is also the press I use.  I personally use Redding dies.  The 44-40 is not available in carbide, but is easily lubed with a product such as Hornady One Shot spray lube.  I put the brass on a cookie sheet, and give them a light spray.  I then roll the over (shake the tray) and given another spray.  The lube dries in a couple of minutes, then I pour them into the case feeder.  Run through as you would any other cartridge.  This lube will not affect the powder and does not need to be wiped off after loading.

On the rare occasions I load smokeless ( ) I load 7 grains of Unique with a 200 grain bullet.  My normal load is 32 grains of Goex FFg powder and a DD Big Lube 200 grain bullet.  I've run many thousands of rounds of 44-40 through 4 different rifles and two revolvers with no issues.

[rbertalotto]

I've been loading 38-40 and 44-40 for a couple years now. (Been reloading everything else for 40 years!)



The 38-40 and 44-40 are a bit special ducks.....

#1...I believe any dies will work in your XL650.
#2...Carbide is only offered in straight wall cases....44-40 is bottle neck
#3....I like the RCBS "Cowboy" dies. They load with a better crimp than the Lees and this is important for a tube magazine or if you are not using a full load of Blackpowder. BP fills the case so a bullet can't slide into the case during recoil. With smokeless there is a void in the case and the very thin rim does not hold the bullet like other cases. A good crimp is important.
#4...If you don't lube the cases, they won't last as long. The thin brass will "Work Harden" and split after just a few loadings. If you lube you can nearly double the number of loading. I use Hornady "One Shot" and leave the lube on after sizing. They slide into the lever rifles like Greased Lightning....And simply fall out of my revolvers when unloading
#5...With a progressive press you need to be sure about die alignment. Those thin necks won't stand for any abuse.
#6...I load 5.5 Trailboss under a 200g bullet with superb accuracy.
#7...There is simply no better cartridge (38-40 and 44-40) for black powder to keep your guns clean. At CAS pressures there is zero blowback. The 45LC blows back so bad that I have guns you need to wear a welders mask to shoot!

I'm a huge fan of the 38-40 / 44-40....You done good pilgrim!

[1972]

Thank you gentlemen.  REALLY good information, and exactly what I needed to know.  As always, this forum comes through when you need help.

[rickk]

When loading bottleneck cartridges a case length gauge can be a handy thing. 

There are way too many critical surfaces to not keep an eye on things.

You can drop rounds into a chamber in your gun to see if it chambers but a case gauge will tell you a bit more.

Wilson makes one for .44-40.

Rick

[D-Hansen]

I use the Dillon 550 press, Lee dies and sometimes use the Lee FCD (Factory crimp die) Collet style.  I like A2400 powder in the 44-40, use 200gr bullets.  Spray case lube as others have already suggested.  I'd slug the bores of the rifles and pistols you are loading for to make the best discussion on the diameter of the bullet you are going to use in your 44-40.   I use .432" in a vintage Marlin 1894,  and use .429" in a vintage 1873 Winchester.  The tightest groove diameter barrel I have is on a 1894 Marlin SRC from 1911.  The groove diameters are not consistent,  the Uberti firearms seem to run .421" bore and .429" groove.    In a 1866 Uberti with 26" barrel I have used light loads or 13gr A2400 and a 200gr RNFP lead bullet.  This produced un-burned kernels of gun powder in the chamber and barrel.  Also about 1100 -1200fps and depending on bullet diameter (.432") twice did not exit the barrel and were about 2" from the end.  So slugging your bore should be your first step.  You may get lucky and find all your 44-40 firarms like the same handloads, but for me I have to seperate my brass and load three different 44-40 rounds for my firearms.  I have also used Swiss black powder and was happy with that also.   The Lee FCD works nice and the collet style does not effect my lead bullet diameters, the carbide ring style Lee FCD will resize the fat cast bullets and defeat the idea of matching your bullet to your groove diameters.  The Colt SAA and Uberti revolvers I have shot the .429" bullets very well.  The Marlin 1894 with 18gr of A2400 are getting 1600fps.  If you want more velocity information I can get my reloading note book out and list more information.  This is one of my favorite cartridges to reload.  I also use and recommend the Wilson case gauge.

D-Hansen  

[Coal Creek Griff]

Be sure to do a search of CAS City regarding this (search 44-40, 44WCF, etc).  There is TONS of great information here and many questions will be answered--even before you think of them!

CC Griff

[pakm]

I load the .44-40 on my Dillon 550B. I use Lee dies. a 200gr. RNFN with 6 to 6.5 gr's of Trail boss works for me and my pedersoli pump rifle i't's very accurate with this load.  My companion pistols for this rifle is a pair of 1871-2's open top colts in .44 special. I load these on the dillon with Lee dies also. these pistols have 7.5 in barrels are quite accurate. and like the man said,, the 38-40 and 44-40 are really special calibers and they work nice and are very accurate. and yes, I have copys of each!