Need some advice casting .44-40 lead bullets please

[paulsnapp]

I recently purchased a Puma Model 92 Bounty Hunter in .44-40 caliber. This is a replica of a cut down Winchester 1892 rifle and called a Mare's Leg. I would like to learn to cast my own bullets for Cowboy Loads. I have not slugged the bore but I did call Puma for the barrel specs. It is a pistol barrel 12 inches long, bore .423 and grooves .430 according to Puma.

My questions are, companies like RCBS offer two bullet molds for .44-40 CB. They are .428 and .430. They then offer two bullet sizers, one for .427 and another for .428. What advice can you give regarding selection of bullet molds and sizers? I am using 6.2 grains of Trail Boss powder and getting 952 fps muzzle velocity through my chronograph. RCBS also offer two different bullet lubes. Any advice on which one would be best? Thanks for the help!

 

[454PB]

My 44-40 is a Navy Arms. I use the same 215 gr. gas checked boolit (Lyman 429215) that is used in my .44 magnums, sized to .430".

The best way to determine what to order is to slug your barrel, factory specs can vary a lot.

But, if you're not willing to do that......order the largest size available, you can size them down if they are too big.....but making them bigger is not possible.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I wouldn't gas check a .44-40 even from a "real" rifle.

 

[blarby]

If you would be willing to pay shipping, I'd be happy to send you some :

.430-.432 as cast , un gas checked, 226gr SWC's

.430 Sized, un gas-checked , 226gr SWC or 215g HP's

.430 Sized, Gas checked, 226gr SWC's or 215HP's

For you to test before you buy any equipment if you would like !

 

[paulsnapp]

Thanks for the offer, I would very much appreciate some to try. My email is [email protected]. Please just let me know what to send you for shipping and where to send it to. Thanks again for helping out!