New Colt Single Action Advice Needed

[ak-kev]

Hey guys, I have a USFA nickel Single Action that is truly awesome. I have become very fond of it. I have come across a sweet deal on a NIB Colt single action, blued with a case hardened frame. I want the 4.75in barrel again as I feel really comfortable with it and like it better than the 5.5in. My question is about the caliber. My USFA is .45 Colt and was wondering if an argument could be made for the 44-40. I have no experience with it, but what do you guys think about this cartridge? I cast my own lead bullets and load my own .45 Colt, so I assume I could do the same with the 44-40. Is there any advantage to going this route? Or should I just stay with the mighty .45??? Anyway.......what are your thoughts ? Thanks. Kevin.

 

[rcmodel]

The 44-40 will use less lead when casting bullets?

It is harder to reload then the .45 Colt due to the very thin brass.
There is also sometimes problems getting sizing dies that match the chambers.

If I was getting a .44, it would be a .44 Special that Colt don't make anymore.

The main advantage I see for the 44-40 is if you also have a lever-action rifle in that caliber.

Otherwise, I would stay with the .45 Colt.

rc

 

[1911Tuner]

The 44-40 will use less lead when casting bullets?

Yep. About 50 grains per bullet less.

The .44-40 and its little brother, the .38-40 have bottlenecked cases. While the .44-40 is a good cartridge, offering about the same performance as the old lead "Police" .41 Magnum offering...the cases buckle easily when you seat and crimp the bullets. I strongly advise seating and crimping in separate operations...and even then, use a gentle hand and make sure that all cases are trimmed to the same length +/- .001 inch.

Aside from that, there's a certain cool factor with a handgun chambered for the old cartridge. Add a carbine, and it's just too cool.

 

[ak-kev]

Thank you sir, I appreciate it! I see your point. I just wanted to explore all my options. Thanks, Kevin.

 

[1911Tuner]

A bit-o-trivia associated with the "Frontier Six-Shooters"...

With the .44-40...or WCF as it was originally known...the first pair of numbers designates the caliber and the second pair indicates the black powder loading in grains.

And the .44 isn't a true .44 caliber. The nominal bore diameter was .427 inch. Don't know if modern manufacturers have standardized at .429 inch, but probably not.

The .38-40 is just the opposite. It's actually a 40 caliber bullet, and the original loading was 38 grains.

And now ya know...

 

[ak-kev]

Wow, thanks!! I appreciate that!

 

[Dienekes]

The .45 Colt is an easy round to live with. The .44-40, in my experience (original 1873 Winchester and Uberti Henry) is not.


Give me a straight walled case anytime.

 

[2RCO]

Tuner as always has said everything that needs saying.

You already have a .45 and what better excuse for a new gun than diversity in ammunition.

 

[1911Tuner]

The .45 Colt is an easy round to live with. The .44-40, in my experience (original 1873 Winchester and Uberti Henry) is not.

Absolutely. Handloading the thin, tapered .44-40 case requires that you slow down...a lot...or you lose brass due to buckling during the crimping operation. When I handloaded for it, my habit was to seat the bullets first with the die backed out far enough to prevent crimping...then go back and unscrew the seater plug, and sneak up on the crimp by tweakin' the die a tiny bit at a time until it just started to roll into the crimp groove. When you start to feel it...you're just about done. When you can hold the case up to a light and see a little roll...stop.

Even at best, you could buckle cases if the bullets are a little too large. Bullet sizing is important with the .44-40. Wouldn't hurt to smear a dab of paste wax on it first. Just a tiny bit above the base.
Too much, and you risk jumping the crimp under recoil.

Slow...for sure...but IMO that adds to the charm of rollin' your own with a century+ old cartridge. Cast your own bullets, and you're suddenly transported back to 1890. Load'em with black powder, and the experience is positively "Frontieresque" but it tends to get messy.

Whichever caliber you choose...Enjoy!

 

[calaverasslim]

Thank you sir, I appreciate it! I see your point. I just wanted to explore all my options. Thanks, Kevin.

If you decide on the 44-40, you will be bery happy. I have several and load for all of them. I load the .427 bullet for my USFA and the Colts. Shot Wjite Tail and hogs.

What they said about reloading the 44-40 is correct. Get the Lee factory Crimp die and use it. Seat the bullet as normal, then swith to the Lee die. Firm but not crunching the brass. It will bulge and will not chamber.

I have had several brands of pistol as well as rifles in 44-40 but do prefer my USFA and Colt pistols. Marlin makes a fine 44-40 rifle.

Good luck

 

[sw282]

I have a colt model P in 45 Colt 5 1/2" and a 7 1/2" one in 44-40. I prefer the 44-40 because I hit better with it and the recoil is less. I have not reloaded for either of them