I just finished reloading my first batch of .44-40 and thought I'd share what I did and ask some questions.

My initial goal was to replicate the 19th century black powder load, my issues were finding a historically correct mold, sourcing brass (completely out of stock when I was ordering), and getting reloading data, because most molds and reloading data seems to be geared entirely to smokeless loads, modern bullets, and SASS mouse fart loads.

I solved the brass issue by just buying some Magtech blasting ammo essentially just for the brass, I shot the ammo, had fun, and saved the brass.

Then there was the issue of the mold, after researching here and other places I learned that my best and most economic options were to find a used Lyman 427098 mold, or an antique Winchester mold on Ebay, I chose the Lyman.

Load data was the issue, lots of conflicting information, much of it completely false.  The original load was 40 grains of 2F, however those were with balloon head cases, and I have read multiple times that 19th century 2F is more like modern 3F.  So I researched it, but actual data was near impossible to find and I kept seeing people advocating, what I felt, were ridiculously low loads, which might be fine for competition, but nowhere near replicating historical performance.

My initial attempt was to use 40 grains of Swiss 3F(which DOES fit, but it is a full case load, then use a compression die before loading my bullet.  I made it work, however at least with my compression die and brass it caused the base of the cartridge to bulge just enough that they failed the drop test and could not be chambered.  I tried using less compression, but got the same result.

Next I tried 35 grains, which filled the case to about 1/8 of an inch from the case mouth, I did not use a compression die this time and got the bullets to seat without issue and they chambered.

I finished with a Lee Factory Crimp Die.

All my dies are Lee, I read that Lee's dies do not open the case mouth enough for more than a .427 bullet and can confirm that that is correct, I sized all of my bullets to .427 and they just barely were able to get started even with the die maxed out.  However they did work.

I also noticed that despite the Lyman 427098 supposedly producing 205 grain bullets it instead produced about 220 grain ones when used with pure lead, which is much heavier than I wanted.

I used a magnum primer because that was all I could find.

So my goal was a 200 grain bullet over 40 grains of Swiss 3F but ended up with a 220 grain bullet and 35 grains of 3F.

So how did I do?  And about what muzzle velocity do you expect that I will get from a 4.75 inch revolver (Pietta Great Western 2)?  My goal is to replicate the performance of a 19th century factory load, I'll consider it a success if I can meet or exceed the muzzle energy of an original 19th century load, how close do you think I got?

My loading process was to use a brass black powder powder measure, which I found was graduated dead on for weight for 3F Swiss.

I used home made lube of 50/50 beeswax and Crisco, mixed by volume melted and I pan lubed.

Any recommendations for next time?  What did I do wrong?

Any way to make 40 grains work?

Everyone had a good time. You missed a great shoot if you were not there. Thanks, Rhonda and Trap, for running such a great shoot. River City and I enjoyed ourselves.
Yuma

Whenever I was behind the gun sales table at large matches, folks look at something and say "I don't really need it" to which I reply, "What's need got to do with it?"     And besides, sometimes backups need backups.

Sed gratia Dei sum quod sum

Quote from: Major 2 on May 03, 2025, 08:38:19 PMThat is as good a definition for Gunaholic as any 

mea maxima culpa!

Griff

Thanks everyone for the kind compliments. Abilene, I hadn't noticed until now what shirts the boys were wearing  .

Quote from: Coal Creek Griff on May 03, 2025, 09:40:27 AMNot having a use for another one were carefully chosen words. Of course I need at least one more! Then there are Model 15s, Webley revolvers, more bullet molds..

Griff

That is as good a definition for Gunaholic as any 

I bought a used, abused, filthy and just plain beat up one last year. After scrubbing the snot out of it and putting a Wolff spring pack in it, it runs great. And it will get some better sights [still WB legal] and a possible trigger job.

I never realized basketweave was much before the turn of the century at all. Always associated it with around 1900 or later.

I've owned 2 4" Combat Magnums that I sold in a moment of weakness (I needed money for bills) and I still have a Model 19 snub that will get buried with me along with my HiPower,3 screw Blackhawk 357's and 1911.    The Model 15 is every bit as good as the 19. I'm sure it will serve you well.