Using 44mag bullets in 44-40

Centerfires, rimfires, pistol cartridges and everything in between.
Post Reply
User avatar
TheBugFather
AAA Poster
AAA Poster
Posts: 839
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:14 am
Location: So. California

Using 44mag bullets in 44-40

Post by TheBugFather »

Anyone having trouble using 44mag bullets in 44-40?

As I understand, 44-40 is .426 and 44 mag is .429-.430 diameter.

Is it needed to use a lee die to swag the diameter down?

Thanks, Dennis
The Bug Father
...I don't like recoil, but I love to experiment.
emmettva
B Poster
B Poster
Posts: 32
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2016 11:58 am
Location: Fredericksburg VA

Re: Using 44mag bullets in 44-40

Post by emmettva »

Kinda/Sort of -- my wife shoots a 44-40 marlin 94 Centennial with Ballard type rifling not Accu Groove-- for the rams she shoots a 240 grainer cast bullet wich is not a true 44-40 bullet but it is sized 0.428 which is neither pure 44-40 nor 44 mag diam. FWIW the 0.427 is too small a diam and the 428 chambers a .429 sized bullet won't chamber even with starline 44-40 brass. With cast bullets it is more of what diameter shoots best out of your 44-40 --or your 44 mag no way to tell but load up various diameters and bang away. we use .428 cast in all of our 44-40s and they work quite well. Cant speak to jacketed though.
DonM
AA Poster
AA Poster
Posts: 275
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2016 7:40 pm
Location: Ft. Laramie

Re: Using 44mag bullets in 44-40

Post by DonM »

You need to know what twist your barrel has, but for the most part the 200ish grain bullets for a 44 mag/special will shoot well if the chamber of your gun will allow.
My Miroku 73 and my 3rd generation Colt model P both shoot .429 jacketed and .430 cast very well.
User avatar
TheBugFather
AAA Poster
AAA Poster
Posts: 839
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:14 am
Location: So. California

Re: Using 44mag bullets in 44-40

Post by TheBugFather »

Thanks guys for the reply.

I'm biding on a 24" 44 mag that I hope I can get, but if the price gets too high, I might have to look some place else.

Both are modern guns, just wondering about stuffing a larger bullet down the barrels and if it causes any extra problems.

Dennis
The Bug Father
...I don't like recoil, but I love to experiment.
User avatar
DAVIDMAGNUM
A Poster
A Poster
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 7:06 am
Location: Middle of the Delmarva Penninsula

Re: Using 44mag bullets in 44-40

Post by DAVIDMAGNUM »

The 44WCF (44-40) land and groove dimensions vary greatly. Then you have to take into consideration the temperament of your firearm. What will it like? One or two thousandths over groove diameter, more, less?
My 1873 Winchester/Uberti has a .429 groove diameter. It chambers and shoots .4305 bullets very well.
My 1892 Winchester/Miroku has a .428 groove diameter. It will not chamber .4305 bullets, but chambers and shoots .429 bullets very well.

PS: Yes .4305 bullets. My Uberti would not chamber .431 bullets easily. It was obvious that the neck was tight in the chamber, not good. Bullets sized to .430 did chamber very easily. Being curious, hard headed.....I lapped out a Lyman bullet sizing die so that I now have the largest diameter bullet that the rifle will easily chamber. Maybe a lot of work for little gain, but I am happy with it. This also means that I truly have custom ammunition fitted for that rifle.
In the days of old when men were bold, and a quarter was still worth a dime.
Maryland's Eastern Shore
Porpoise
B Poster
B Poster
Posts: 29
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2016 2:21 pm
Location: Canada

Re: Using 44mag bullets in 44-40

Post by Porpoise »

Modern 44 40 guns are made for 44 mag size bullets. My miroku leads bad with the .427 size but I have 44 40 bullets in .429 that work well. The 44 mag bullet might not have the crimping cannalure in the same place but I use them too they work fine although I never went more than 220 grains I don’t know if the 240 works well.
Post Reply