Loading 44/40 with blackpowder.

[Bryan Austin]

I am shortly getting a 44/40 rifle. I really fancy using blackpowder as opposed to nitro. Anybody use this route? I have a quantity of Czech blackpowder which I think is equal to a fine powder. Would this be suitable for cartridge reloading? I am a bit concerned that this powder is a bit "pokey". I know Swiss is great for this calibre and will consider getting some when my stock is depleted. But, for now, any advice, guidance would be appreciated. I am not new to reloading just not tried the magic black.


Many thanks for your helpful comments. My main concern was the fine-ish powder.

Swiss is a superior powder.

Use Unique out to 50/75 yards
Use Reloder 7 out to 200 yards.


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

[thibben]

Martin,

The bullet and lube you use will make a difference on accuracy and consistency of operation, I'm assuming here you will be using lead bullets

Normal smokeless lubes do not work very well with BP, something like SPG is a very good lube off the shelf, if not you can easy make BP lube.

Also the hardness of the bullet makes a significant difference in BPCR's such as 45-70, 40-65's etc, not familiar with smaller capacity cases like the 44-40, but too hard a bullet and you will not get good accuracy. The BP explodes and 'smacks' the base of the bullet which then obturates into the rifling nicely. Too hard a bullet alloy (such as you find in cast bullets for smokeless) and this does not happen. This is also why and over powder wad is good in BP cartridges.

The choice of primer is more critical with BP, been lots of work carried out re. magnum vs standard, under powder or over primer paper discs/wads but again more related to the larger BPCR calibres.

Brgds Terry

[Bryan Austin]

If using BP, try to stick with the Lyman 427098 or any of the replica bullets. These are proven bullets accurate to 300 meters.

Th replica bullets are some of the 43-2xx series bullets from Accurate molds: http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_...=43-214A-D.png

The 43-214A is the one I submitted and it works great with both black powder and smokeless.

For details, look here:https://sites.google.com/view/44winc...lds?authuser=0

[Bryan Austin]

I have created a website for the 44-40 cartridge. There is tons of information there. I mean TONS!

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

It wouldn't be here if not for the 44-40 community helping me gather some of the information. Much I have done on my own but some just can't be found without help.

What I am working on now is 44-40 Winchester and Western ammunition manufacture dates. Although some early boxes are not dated for manufacture, the labels themselves are dated and can give us an idea of when they found a home. From about 1928 to present, the boxes were stamped on the inside flap with a code. There is much to the code. Some early codes were all numbers and then by around 1948ish the code used letters and numbers. A few guys busted the code and I have applied what I could just to the 44-40 Win. and Western manufactures.

What I would like is for all of you guys that have 44-40 ammo boxes is to look at both flaps and on the inside of one of them should be the stamp code in ink. Should be a few numbers then two consecutive letters followed by two numbers or sometimes one.

An example would be the Winchester "Orange Banner" box typically purchased from Kmart or Walmart back in the 1980's

O57FK32 W

All we need is the two letters/two numbers "FK32"

Reverse this and you get 23KF, that would be the date. 23rd K=September F=1992... 23 Sept 1992

In the link below, I have added all of the data in a doc file. It can be seen here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...gid=1860800684

There you will be able to see what I already have vs what I need.

At the bottom of the chart, there are more tabs with tons more information and photos.

Enjoy!!!

[mag44uk]

Interesting thread - thanks. Been toying with getting something in 44/40

[loiner1965]

agree with above......always wanted an underlever in 44-40 cal and it as to be original win 1873......wish i had the funds lol

[mag44uk]

I really fancy another Uberti - probably an 1873 as they seem available.
I used to have a Yellowboy 1866 in 45 colt that I tried BP in.
What an absolute pain to clean after.

[martindl99]

Martin,

The bullet and lube you use will make a difference on accuracy and consistency of operation, I'm assuming here you will be using lead bullets

Normal smokeless lubes do not work very well with BP, something like SPG is a very good lube off the shelf, if not you can easy make BP lube.

Also the hardness of the bullet makes a significant difference in BPCR's such as 45-70, 40-65's etc, not familiar with smaller capacity cases like the 44-40, but too hard a bullet and you will not get good accuracy. The BP explodes and 'smacks' the base of the bullet which then obturates into the rifling nicely. Too hard a bullet alloy (such as you find in cast bullets for smokeless) and this does not happen. This is also why and over powder wad is good in BP cartridges.

The choice of primer is more critical with BP, been lots of work carried out re. magnum vs standard, under powder or over primer paper discs/wads but again more related to the larger BPCR calibres.

Brgds Terry

Cheers Terry. I take everything you say onboard.When I get my 44/40 will report back how it all goes.