Home Forums Reloading Bullet Casting Favorite .44/40 RIFLE mold

Need input on a 200 - 215 grain .44 mold that
will work in a tube magazine.

I like the Lyman 427098 but it lacks a crimp groove.

What have you used successfully?
Thanks

30Gibbs,
I have used the Lyman 427098 (.429" dia), Lyman 429666, Magma 200 RNFP, Saeco 200 RNFP, and recently the RCBS 200.

I really like the 427098 and it can be crimped in place using the Lee Factory Crimp Die which will form a crimp groove on the bullet.

The Magma 200 (205 grs.) and the RCBS 200 (214 grs.) [weights in w.w. + 2% tin] are my favorites that have a crimp groove. I find that they are typically more accurate than either the Lyman 429666 or the Saeco 200.

Lee makes a 200 gr. RNFP but I have no experience with that bullet.

Here's a pic of some of the bullets. I need to add the RCBS

What .44-40 rifle will you using?

w30wcf

W30WCF:

Thanks for taking time to reply. The bullet picture is very helpful.

I am loading for a Winchester 1892.

So far I have used 8.0 grains unique and what looks like the Magma bullet pictured. Bullets were purchased locally.

These are in Winchester "Cowboy Action" ammo cases.

Both factory and hand loads shoot very well.

I was able to get a 1 hole 50 yard 5 shot group with the hand loads.

My kids really enjoy shooting this old gun at steel plates.

I have 500 new Starline cases and now need to choose a mold.

I have heard good things about the Lee FCD but have actually
used bullets with a crimp groove, so that is the direction I am heading.

Bob

30Gibbs,
You are most welcome. The .44 W.C.F. / .44-40 cartridge is at the top of my favorite cartridges list just under the .30 W.C.F. / .30-30.

A one hole 5 shot 50 yd. group is great from you vintage '92!

What diameter are your purchased cast bullets?

Here's a pic which also includes the RCBS bullet and the 427098 with a crimp groove formed by the Lee FCD.

Bullet weights from w.w. + 2% tin alloy.

If you PM your address, I could send you 10 each of the RCBS and the Lyman 429666 to try before you purchase a mold. Will include some Magmas also if you want them.

The Magma molds were designed to use on their casting machines. Thus, to use the Magma mold, a set of RCBS handles needed to be modified to clear the sprue plate hold down screw. Plus it is a little more ackward to use since the mold needs to be turned upside down to strike the sprue plate at the proper location to cut the sprue. It works fine though once you get use to it.

w30wcf

I have the Lyman 42798 and 429434 and the RCBS 44 200 that w30WCF has. I believe I could get along nicely with only the RCBS. I shoot an original Marlin 1894. Regards, Woody

W30: Thanks for your offer.

Your input and Woody's lead me to believe that
the RCBS mold might be the way to go.

You need to know that the one hole groups had a lot of vertical dispersion...... 5 shots touching in a vertical
oriented hole about an inch and one half long.

Still, not bad for factory sights and 55 YO eyes.

I purchsed about 300 42798 cast bullets, so will either load
them single shot style or pick up a Lee FCD.

Your picture of the 42798 with the crimp groove is
interesting. It looks like a natural, something Lyman
should have done as a factory option years ago.

In your experience how does the Lee FCD affect case life?

Thanks.

Bob

30gibbs,

The LFC die doesn't seem to affect case life anymore than a standard roll crimp die....at least in my experience.

Regarding the 427098, if you were to have about .10" removed from the bottom of your sizing die, the neck would be made longer in resizing and thus would support the base of the bullet. I did that with my die and now can vary the length of the case neck depending on the bullet I use.

Winchester mfg'd. .44-40 brass has a neck that is .40" long before firing and thus will support the base of the 427098 bullet.

w30wcf

I don't have a 44-40 rifle but I do shoot the 427098 in a Colt New Fronter 4 5/8 barrel cal. 44-40. I also use the FCD and find it works fine. I have had no problems with the brass being abused by that die.

Dew

Thank you.

Bob

The Lyman 429434 has been a great bullet for me.