Kirk,
If you were to use Swiss, your g.c. bullet would work fine even possibly so without the g.c.
Swiss 1 1/2 is about equal in size to Goex 2F but it has more ballistic strength.
Cliff,
Good points. When I worked on the design of the 43-215C, I looked at the SAAMI specs for the .44-40 cartridge.
THey show .....
cartridge - max o.a.l. = 1.592" (minimum o.a.l. = 1.540)
case ......- max length = 1.305" (minimum o.a.l. = 1.285)
difference ..................= .287"
I then measured the o.a.l. of some original .44-40 b.p. factory cartridges ...... 1.585" - 1.595"
So, wanting to closely replicate the original b.p. cartridge dimensions.......I specified the nose length to be .28" which when seated in a maximum length case (1.305") = 1.585" o.a.l. which is almost .010" less than the max o.a.l. if the bullet is seated to the top of the crimp groove.
I have mostly R-P, W.W., and older b.h. cases which measure closer to 1.29" length which = 1.57" which is well short of the max o.a.l.
The smaller qty of Starline brass that I have measure about 1.30" average which = 1.58", .012" short of the max o.a.l.
To date I have used the 43-215C in 3 rifles, 2 original '73's and a Marlin 1894 and they cycled very well in all of them.
That being said, if someone wants a cartridge with a shorter o.a.l. in a maximum length case, Accurate also has the 43-210G which is the same as the 43-215C except the the nose is .015" shorter and the bullet weights 5 grs less.
In addition, there is the 43-205C which is also like the 43-215C but has a nose that is .04" shorter and weighs 10 grs. less.
w44wcf