Having fun with 44-40 Rifle

[treebeard]

Been shooting reloads in my 44-40 rifle. Had to lighten up on that trigger pull some to start getting decent groups.
My load is out of loaddata.com and is rated at 1100 fps out of a 24 inch Marlin rifle. Makes me curious as to  what it
is doing out of a 30 inch barrel. The range I have been using is off hand only and so I will have to wait to take it
to a range with a bench rest to see how it  groups. 200 gr RNFP lead bullets in my cases. Function has been perfect.

Think I will try a load rated at 1300-1400 fps at 100 yds and see how that does . By the way I am using smokeless
powder. Will get around to black eventually. Lots of fun.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Would you mind sharing which powder and bullet you're using (assuming that you don't want to publish your load with the usual disclaimers)?  I'm always curious about what is working for others.

CC Griff

[PvtGreg]

I've got some working loads for my 44-40 Spencer.  I'm not thrilled with them though.  All benched.

.430 200gr 5.9 grains of red-dot.  At 100yrds I'm getting 6 to 8 in 10rd groups, but always seem to get at least 1 flyer.  Weirdly the same load at 50yards gives me 2 to 3 in groups.

.430 240gr 5 grains of red-dot.  At 100yrds I get constant 6 to 8 in 10rd groups with no flyers.  In fact I can put 25 rounds in the same 6 to 8 in group.

I keep thinking I can get tighter with this gun, I've just not hit the sweet spot yet.

I'd appreciate suggestions and other load posts.

Thx. - PvtGreg

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[treebeard]

In reply to Coal Creek--I subscribe to load data.com which compiles loads from various recognized sources.  The load I have been
Using came out of Oregon Trail rifle data and is 8.0gr of Unique. This load is quoted at 1119fps from a Marlin 24 inch rifle. For me
It is shooting right on at 25 yds with unsupported offhand.  My bullet is a 200gr FP  cast by MI-TE Bullets out of Ellsworth, KS for
The 44-40.  I believe this is too fast for Cowboy Action Shooting.

[Coal Creek Griff]

Thanks, Treebeard. I appreciate it.

CC Griff

[El Supremo]

Might want to consider groove depth:
 
Some modern 44-40's, including Italian repro's and HENRY's, Henry (according to them) have rifling as shallow as .003", for jacketed bullets.  Guidance from those that line barrels for cast bullet use favors .005".  Bullet alloy may make a difference.
Regards,
El Supremo

In vew of OUR holiday, please indulge me:
Many of our founding fathers kept slaves. 
Do we now tear down the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, etc? 
I doubt the agitators will stop with the Confederate BATTLE flag. 
Respectfully,
Kevin Tinny

[Drydock]

SASS velocity limit for rifles is 1400 FPS.  Only handguns are limited to 1000 fps.