Home Forums Reloading Bullet Casting Want to Cast for .44-40

My factory cast lead are sized .427 in the .44-40, while my factory cast lead are sized .429 for my .44 Special and mag. I just slugged the bore of my Uberti Iron Henry and it slugs out to .428 at its largest.

As I don't load any jacketed bullets in either the .44 Mag/special or the Henry, can I get away with casting wheel weights and sizing them all .429, or should I buy a separate mold for the .44-40?

My loads are pretty close to original Henry loading as they generate about 1150fps for target work. I'm thinking .429 would suffice.

Advice?

Dan,

I'd slug your throat; that's the measurement you want (just under) .429 ought to be fat enough.
Also, what weights are you looking at (I assume 200gr.)?

WW metal goes from 9-12 BHN. 12 will take 17,000 psi to obturate. As long as your bullets snug fit your throat you should have no issues, unless your 44 moulds cast large and spring back is severe and they won't chamber. Only way to know is to try.

I've had to do with a large mould to fit a tight chamber more than once; once you get it to just fit the throat it will shoot!

Should I try to load up a dummy using a .429 factory cast bullet to see if it chambers?

Dan

I would.

haveing a lead bullet .002 over sized is not terrible. Just watch pressures.

If I understand it right the gun you slugged is the 44-40?

If it's at .428 I'd use the .429 boolits across the board.

If the 44 cal bullets shoot fine in your 44, don't slug your 44, you'll be sorry..

Yeah,
What blammer said. You can seat the bullet a little deeper if it hangs up a little, just make sure it coincides with the crimp groove.

Your 44 Mag might like them with stiff loads, as blammer mentioned. I prefer to not allow the base to obturate or nose tip (deform) and have the bullet fitted to the throat.

Thanky

Dan

I have a Colt NF 44-40. If I load a cast or jacketed bullet in the case and the bullet diameter is over .428 the round will not chamber. If it is .427 it will. With the 44-40 in my gun it is that close. So, I size my bullets down to .427 or I don't get to shoot. I have mould 42798 from Lyman and that is the "standard" 44-40" cast bullet and it works just fine. I've also used 429 bullets in the same weight range and when sized to .427 they work well. I second the answer that you should load some .427 through 429 etc. in cases and see if they will chamber. The 44-40 is a great cartridge but it does take a little extra work to get it right in my gun.