Help with a 44-40 load for 1873

[owenrc1]

Picked up a period 1873 44 wcf winchester and would like to get lead down range, what dies are you using, powders, brass any other tips? I am using a lee single stage now loading 357 45lc and 30-30. Thanks. Owen.

 

[terryhimself]

always had good luck with lyman or RCBS dies. Keep your loads on the light side of the publshed guides. I assume the rifle has been inspected by someone who knows what to look for in the 73 design. I recall that the toggle links in the action were a weak point
in the design and needed inpsection on a regular basis. Happy Shooting...Terry

 

[jimbobborg]

Trail Boss powder and lead bullets.

 

[DocAitch]

44-40

I have near 400 x 200gr Meister .429" bullets which I ordered by mistake ( I have a 44Mag which does better with .431").They are yours for a reasonable offer.
Otherwise I can only offer some hearsay, never having had a reason to deal with that great old cartridge myself (which I believe was one of Teddy Roosevelt's favorites).
The cartridge is a bottle neck (subtle) so it should be lubed even with carbide sizers. It is also thinner than modern cartridges so it requires a careful flare of the case mouth so that you do not crush the case while seating the bullets.
Good luck and enjoy that fine old rifle.
DocAitch

 

[Gordon]

rcbs dies,trailboss,200-225gr lead bullet. I shoot an old 6 shooter lota fun.

 

[bulletmen]

44-40

Congrats on the old Winchester,one of the first "assault rifles".

Been loading 44-40 and 38-40 for a while. Moderate charge of Unique and a lead bullet in the 200 gr weight class.
Loading with black powder works good too. Just remember that BP loads need to be compressed. Some use an over powder wad like Ox Yoke with BP.We use FFg and no wad.
If it is an original Winchester,then you should use .427 or .428 diameter bullets.Slug the bore to find out for sure.
The Italian copies work better with .429 diameter bullets.

BTW,we have two different bullets for use in 44WCF. A 190 gr and a 218 gr RNFP..


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