Couple of questions, first does anyone have good load data for a colt frontier six shoot 1905-1906 manufacture in this cal? Second does anyone have a set for dies they would be willing to part with? I ended up with this gun in a trade deal and I happened to have a box of ammo I randomly picked up earlier from an estate. So I'm looking to reload a little bit before I decide if I will sell this one or not.

Die sets are available from Lee Precision, I would also recommend their crimp die. I can't recommend any loads as I only load for current model Marlins. You may want to check bore and chamber diameters as there is a lot of variation over the years and across manufacturers.

With my 38-40 I have had good luck using 2400 powder. Might look at load data using that in the 44. Graf & sons has brass every once in a while.If you pick up any old brass, make sure they are not the Balloon Head types.

Also do some research into serial numbers as to what ones were suitable using smokeless powder and not BP. If it is truly a 1906 mfgr you are probably ok. I'd still check though.

Definitely slug the barrel. Look to Dardas Cast Bullets as they have the capability to size cast bullets to what you need within reason, ( .001-.003 over sized of bore)

In the .44-40 8 grains of Unique and a 200 - 225 cast bullet has worked in my 1897 vintage rifle. It is a mild, accurate load. Alliant shows 8.6 grains of Unique in the Cowboy Action section for revolvers.

A lee factory crimp die is a must. I use bluedot in my loads but have used Unique. It works just fine as well.

36 grains of 3F and a 50:1 lead/tin cast bullet. Dont worry about the bullet diameter, it will bump up. (Powder is compressed about 1/8th with a jacketed bullet in unsized but expanded brass, then the lead bullet simply sat on top.)
26 grains of H4198 and a Hornady 200g XTP if it ill take .430 bullets otherwise whatever jacketed .427s you can find. Use a heavy crimp with a Lee crimp die on this load. (This is at black powder pressures but good velocity.)
8 grains of Unique and a lead bullet 50:1 lead/tin is a good mild and accurate load.
18 grains of H4227 (again, heavy crimp with the Lee crimp die)

Once you shoot the BP load you probably wont look much farther, too much fun, and it sounds like it will kill a buffalo.

If you want a mold, I highly recommend the Accurate Molds 43-215C.

Supposedly any SAA after 1900 is good to go with smokeless. Personally, if it's an all-matching gun, I wouldn't shoot it. You could easily shoot the $500 off the condition, that it would take to buy an Uberti just to shoot. If it's a cobbled together thing, then no problem. Even a no-finish, all-matching Frontier Six Shooter is worth some bucks, especially if it's got much of the panel left.

You're going to have to slug the bore in order to see what diameter bullets you need. These guns varied. New guns, not so much as they've pretty much standardized on similar diameters to the Magnum.

AGUYINAK, if that Colt has all matching serial numbers, I suggest you not shoot it, especially with black powder cartridges. If all matching numbers, that 1st generation Colt is worth a LOT of money. For example, I sold a Colt S.A. Frontier, .44-40, all matching numbers, but no remaining blue, dings on the solid walnut one piece grips, all original, mfg in 1881 (Colt Historian Factory Letter), for $3,000.00, six years ago.

Shoot it if you want, but take mighty good care of it. If it were mine I'd not shoot it. I did not shoot the one I sold.

Just a suggestion.

L.W.

Shoot it and enjoy it. It will do fine with a load of 6 grains of Trail Boss powder, which has been designed to shoot in cowboy action guns. Unless the gun is all loose and doesn't lock up well, you will be fine with that load and thousands of rounds through it.