New Uberti 1860 reload questions

[Cav Trooper]

I just ran into a deal I couldn't pass up. I don't shoot CAS as of yet but, I just ran across a Uberti 1860 44-40 in the white, new in box with 500 new Starline cases. Rilfe has never been shot and is almost perfect, one tiny nick on the stock and no user manual. I intend to reload but I see a lot of confusing and conflicting info on reloading this caliber. I currently reload 45lc, 45acp, 9mm etc. It appears that I need to find a good hard cast bullet with a crimp groove for a lever gun, any recommendations on brand? I plan on a 200gr bullet weight and Unique powder since that's what I use most. Gun was first bought in 1995 thru Cabela's and has the sling swivels, never fired. I've read posts about having to slug the bore etc. is all that really necessary or can I just start with .427 bullets?
Thanks
54dodge

[Pettifogger]

All I use are .427 bullets and they will work fine in your Henry.  The only suggestion I would make is you do not want really hard bullets.  For the sedate velocities we shoot in CAS and for BP I prefer a softer bullet.  Any good RNFP bullet that is designed for the .44-40.  They are available from virtually all bullet casters.

Here are a couple of examples:

http://cowboybullets.com/44-Caliber_c_10.html

http://www.snscasting.com/44-40/

For .44-40 you do not want the 240 grains bullets.

[Baltimore Ed]

I've just started loading for my original Winchester 73 musket in .44-40, my only .44. I used the same powder as my .45 lc rifle/pistol loads--5.2 gr of Clays or Clay Dot with a 200 or 210 gr lead or powdercoat bullet sized .429. With a new Uberti I would use a .427 bullet I shot the old warhorse in a match a couple of months ago and shot it clean, even shot a few stages with fixed bayonet. 30 inches of barrel and 16 more inches of cold steel is very impressive. I did put in a reduced mainspring. Good luck.

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[Tuolumne Lawman]

I have always used .428s in my 44-40s, including my last Henry, a 44-40, and original 1873, and original 1889 Marlin, a Century Limited Marlin, and several Rossi. While some could possibly benefit with a .429, or some a .427, .428 seems to work for everything.  At first, I drove myself crazy experimenting with .426, 427, .428, .429, and .430 in everything.  In the end, the .428 just seemed to work, even in my original Winchester that slugged .4265".  Whille I have had pistols that a .430 or even a .429 would be tight, .428s alway seem to work.