Colt .44-40 New Service

[c.latrans]

Hi all......I inherited a Colt New Service in .44-40 from an old cowboy uncle several years ago, and have shot up the several hundred of his handloads that came with the gun. I have been told that most data listed for modern designs may build too much pressure for an old timer like this......the cylinder walls are pretty thin! I want to keep shooting her, but dont want to risk damage to the gun or myself.........advice? Thanks in advance!

 

[Jim Watson]

.44-40 loads have not changed in many years and the New Service is surely as strong as a smokeless SAA. About anything in the books will do fine.

I load for my CAS guns, a Colt SAA, a Cimarron Model P, and a Winchester 92. Have tried the following. Trailboss is good, it is a very bulky powder, no risk of double charging. Unique works in about anything.

200 grain cast bullets and
7.0 gr W231
5.9 gr Titegroup
6.0 gr 700X
6.5 gr Trailboss

240 grain cast bullets and
6.1 gr W231
5.2 gr 700X
7.0 gr Unique
7.0 gr Universal

Velocities from 700 to 800 fps in revolvers.

 

[c.latrans]

Thank you, Jim!

Among the other treasures the old guy left to me is a mold that throws the nicest square shouldered semi-wadcutters that one can imagine. I poured a bunch out of wheel weights that average about 230 grains. I have no idea who made this particular mold, but it is very old and produces beautiful bullets.

He also left me a few rifles, including an Arisaka he brought back from his youth.....and the prize of prizes, three 1895 Winchesters, one in .303 brit, one in .30-40 krag, and one in .405 win wcf......the old guy had great taste!

 

[Moonclip]

Your a lucky guy. I almost bought the modern S&W equivilant mod 544 for $400 this year. And I sort of want a .38-40 New Service for some reason.

 

[OFT]

That old New Service sounds like a great gun. Keep in mind that the 44/40 use .427" slugs instead of the .429" that are used in the Special & Mag loads. Likely won't make any difference with lead but jacketed slugs will rasie the pressure somewhat.

 

[c.latrans]

Thanks for the reminder! I plan on shooting only cast bullets and staying well inside the pressure curve.