SAA 44/40 accuracy

[sharps50/70]

I'm looking at purchasing a Colt SAA , early third generation, in 44/40.  I've had heard that Colt chambered the guns in original 44/40 specifications with the front of the chambers measuring .427 while they put on 44 special barrels measuring .429.  Thus, bullets that fit in the chambers are too small for the barrels.  Bullets that fit the barrel will not chamber.

Has anyone found this to be true?  Is accuracy with cast bullets really effected?

Thanks.

[Frank V]

I'd go ahead & get that .44-40, Mike Venturino, John Taffin, & others have written that fit of the bullet in the chambers not the fit in the bbl is the main thing for good accuracy. I've proven it to my own satisfaction.
  If you'll size the bullet for the chamber the rest will take care of it'self. The only rub is if you go much past .429 when you seat the bullet in the case it might just be too large diameter to chamber. I've had great results sizing bullets to .428!
Good luck don't pass up a nice .44-40 they are a lot of fun, accurate, & very historical.
Good shooting let us know how you do.

[Hondo44]

I'm looking at purchasing a Colt SAA , early third generation, in 44/40.  I've had heard that Colt chambered the guns in original 44/40 specifications with the front of the chambers measuring .427 while they put on 44 special barrels measuring .429.  Thus, bullets that fit in the chambers are too small for the barrels.  Bullets that fit the barrel will not chamber.

Has anyone found this to be true?  Is accuracy with cast bullets really effected?

Thanks.

I have 4 - 3rd gens:
early Sheriffs 44S/44/40 convertible, .427" bore
2 - 44 Spl from 1985-86; .4285" and .427" bores
and a 44/40 from 2001 with a .429" bore

Chamber mouths all range from .430 - .433". The larger chamber mouth cylinders came with the larger bores.

So they all shoot well. I shoot 240 gr. RNFT and SWC hard cast bullets, both sized .430" in all guns. My hand loads with those bullets chamber in all four cylinders just fine. I have used some .429" bullets in the past and see little to no difference.
I use several different loadings of Unique, but Skeeter's 7.5 grs of Unique is the most accurate load in all 4 guns.

Jim

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[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I'm looking at purchasing a Colt SAA , early third generation, in 44/40.  I've had heard that Colt chambered the guns in original 44/40 specifications with the front of the chambers measuring .427 while they put on 44 special barrels measuring .429.  Thus, bullets that fit in the chambers are too small for the barrels.  Bullets that fit the barrel will not chamber.

Has anyone found this to be true?  Is accuracy with cast bullets really effected?

Thanks.

Not Colt, but I have a pair of Old Model Vaquero's that had tight necks and .429 barrels. I did NOT get them modified, but they both could shoot, handheld over a bag benched, 2-3 inch groups any day, all day long at 25 yards. I use the RCBS .44-200-FP sized to .428 as the max that would chamber. The same load also works like hotdam in a relined original win '73.

[Trailrider]

I'll float my stick with Sir Charles! My OM Ruger Vaqueros still have .425" throats and I shoot .430" bullets (the chambers are large enough in the mid- 55-XXXXX and 56-XXXXX range to accept Winchester brass loaded therewith). When my old eyes are co-operating I can get 1-5/8" groups from the 7-1/2" gun at 25 yds hand-held from the bench. I use hard-cast (BHN 15-22) commercially cast bullets and smokeless powder loads.

So far as Colt's Single-Action pistols in .44-40 are concerned, the only experience I've had is with an original Colt's Frontier Six Shooter. The original cylinder that throats measuring .4245"! While the barrel was .427" in the grooves. Rather than modify the original cylinder, I ordered a modern steel cylinder which John Kopec was selling at the time, with .427" throats. I shot .428" bullets in that one, again with light smokeless loads.  While I can't recall the group sizes, they were about as accurate as any handgun, in spite of having only a 4-3/4" barrel!

Interestingly, a 2nd Generation .44 Special Colt's (supposed bullet dia. .429") had a groove diameter barrel of .427"!  The .44-40 is a great cartridge. It is too bad that various manufacturers at various times, including today, couldn't get specs consistant. (The use of .429" .44 Magnum barrels in .44-40 is a manufacturing/economic concession.)

[Frank V]

The .44WCF is one of my favorite SA ctgs. I've found it accurate if loaded to match the gun being used.
I've settled on a good 200gr RNFP sized .428 over a suitable charge of Unique, Herco, Titegroup, Trailboss, HP38 aka WW231.
I think if you try the .44WCF you'll be pleasantly surprised.

[ncmeatgrinder]

The .44WCF is one of my favorite SA ctgs. I've found it accurate if loaded to match the gun being used.
I've settled on a good 200gr RNFP sized .428 over a suitable charge of Unique, Herco, Titegroup, Trailboss, HP38 aka WW231.
I think if you try the .44WCF you'll be pleasantly surprised.

I'm with Frank, I shot two 44/40's and both are more than accurate when loaded with a 200 gr RNFP. Great round!

[Fox Creek Kid]

It depends on if you're shooting real BP or smokeless. I had my chambers opened to 0.4315" in mine and with real BP they shoot ragged one hole groups at CAS 10 yds. distance using soft 0.430" cast bullets.