44-40 reloading first timer

[RockingR]

Hello Pards,
Picked me up a Cimarron old model 44-40,(NEW) and just wondering was size bullet should I get for reloading? How do I determine the size? I have read on here anywhere from .427 to .430. Just need to be headed in the right direction with boolit size. Will be using Starline Brass. Thanks fellas!

[Holsterguy]

Slug your bore and mike chamber mouths to be sure. I’ve had good luck in my Uberti with bullets sized to .430.

[RockingR]

Thanks Holsterguy,
I will do it. I checked out a few sights on the interweb with a good idea how it's done. Thanks again  partner

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[Isom]

RR, look up " My 44-40 Black Powder Journey" it's by w44wcf. There's a wealth of 44-40 info there. It was done about 5 yrs. ago. Hope this helps you, I just saw this.
Isom

[Fingers McGee]

Hello Pards,
Picked me up a Cimarron old model 44-40,(NEW) and just wondering was size bullet should I get for reloading? How do I determine the size? I have read on here anywhere from .427 to .430. Just need to be headed in the right direction with boolit size. Will be using Starline Brass. Thanks fellas!

I've found that the .428 big lube bullet is a good all round bullet in my half dozen 44-40 rifles and pistols.

(16 Jun) P.S.  I use Starline bass, RCBS dies, and a redding profile crimp die.  I lose more brass to the range gods than split.

[Abilene]

If you go with a .429 bullet, your brass choice is more important (Winchester, Starline are thinnest neck), at least in Uberti chambers.  I did that but after a good while I just started using .427 bullets and for CAS they are plenty accurate.  The last time I ran out I ordered 1000 bullets at .428.  Well they turned out to be .427 also, so I'm still using that size. 

[Cliff Fendley]

I use 429 bullets but I also use a Lee FCD on most 44-40 so that could be squeezing them enough that I don't have chambering problems.

[jthbjr]

I reload and shoot more 44wcf than anything else. I am not an experimenter. When I get a load that works well for me, I stay with it. So for 44wcf, I use Starline brass, .427 bullets, and Unique. I use Lee dies. I find that I have to trim to length after the brass is shot and then sized once. After that there seems to be little stretching. I do not need to lube the brass to size and decap with Lee dies and Starline brass. I seat the bullet and crimp all in one stroke. I load everything in an old single stage press. And I am slow and deliberate. 
I get good accuracy out of USFA revolvers, an original 1892, a Colt third generation SAA, and a Winchester Miroku 1873. Not as good but ok out of An EMF single action. This load is my everyday around the ranch load. At least one of the guns mentioned is always with me at the ranch.
I think it a pretty easy cartridge to load. If you are going to shoot black powder then read the "My 44-40 black powder journey" threads.  I did and got outstanding results. I can't add to it. Read it. Do what he did.
Good luck,
John in beautiful Art, Tx

[RockingR]

Thanks to all that have replied. I do appreciate  your response  and all the help and advise you have given me. Will read the article My 44 black powder  journey. Thanks again pards!

[Isom]

RR,
I'm sorry I neglected to say the 44-40 Journey is a sticky in the Winchester '73 section. Sorry !  Just noticed it.
Isom

[Bryan Austin]

Thanks to all that have replied. I do appreciate  your response  and all the help and advise you have given me. Will read the article My 44 black powder  journey. Thanks again pards!

John Kort (a.k.a. w30wcf, 40wcf) had a wealth of knowledge as does Ed Harris (outpost75)
Much information can be found on these forum under those names or from the 44-40 website:

https://sites.google.com/view/44winchester/contributors/john-kort
https://sites.google.com/view/44winchester/contributors/ed-harris

For your revolver, do slug the barrel and check each chamber mouth. Once you do that (may already have), you can select the diameter bullet you wish to use. If you find that your bore and chambers will accept anything larger than .427, .428 bullets will work just fine.

Best luck should be with Starline Brass, WLP's, and .428" lead cast bullets. For best performance in revolvers, Unique or Bullseye powder, both been around since 1900....or black powder. In the links I provided by both John and Ed, both should be able to answer most of your questions with the information they have provided.

This should get you started....

https://sites.google.com/view/44winchester