44-40 which bullets?

[dcl]

Hi guys. I have a Colt SAA 44-40 Sheriffs model on the way. It was made in 1980-82. Wondering if regular .430 lead bullets will work ok. I'm trying to get all the reloading components ordered so I won't have to wait to shoot it. Any help would be great. Thanks. dcl

 

[rr2241tx]

The nominal bullet diameter for .44/40 is 0.427 (-0.0030). Some casters make bullets specifically for .44/40, others do not. Swaging standard .431 hard cast bullets is always an option.

 

[Jim Watson]

The key is not the barrel but the chamber. Many .44-40s have small enough chamber necks that a large soft bullet to fill the cylinder throat and barrel will not chamber. Mine will take a .429" bullet in Winchester brass but not in Remington and tighter than I like in Starline.

I think the best compromise is a .428" bullet but not many casters offer that diameter.
Play it safe and start out at .427". You can try the larger bullets as used in .44 Special and Magnum later.

 

[CraigC]

You're probably gonna need .427-.428" bullets for a Colt. Load up a dummy with .430's and try it though.

 

[dcl]

Thanks for the replys guys. Still waiting to get the pistol in my hands. Then I will order bullets after I slug the throats and bore. Any help on which vendors to use for lead bullets? thanks again. dave