Reeder Custom Guns - Modern 44-40 WCF Load Data...

Spoke to Gary before I posted this. I'm always a little apprehensive about posting loading information. So, don't try this at home...

One of the drawbacks of these vintage and hyphenated cartridges is the lack of data using modern powders. But, some new powders produce impressive velocity at low or reasonably low pressure.

In my experience, case capacity and bullet size are key. The 44-40 holds a tad more powder than the 44 Magnum. But, it operates at much lower pressure due to the guns it's available in.

Hodgdon's did me a huge favor here. Lots of cast bullet data for the 44 Magnum in the 20k psi range. So, I use this for working up loads for my reproduction 44-40s. I won't say this is a great idea for vintage guns.
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Above is a picture of the same charge in the 44-40 on the left and the 44 Magnum on the right. These are both Starline Cases.

None of this is new stuff. But, sure is fun to bring these old rounds back to life as hunting loads. I'm finding I can easily match the old Keith 44 Special loads. Those have killed a lot of game.

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I bought an El Tigre .44-40 from the Jewel Box Pawn Shop in Phoenix, AZ. The El Tigre was a copy of the Winchester Model 92, made in Spain by Gárate y Anitua.

They had a 22-inch round barrel marked with the makers name, caliber, and the trademark image of a Tiger. The stock was of Spanish walnut with a crescent shaped metal butt plate that had a trapdoor fitted for storage of a jointed cleaning rod in the butt. It had a drift-adjusted blade front sight and a military leaf rear sight that could go to 1000 meters.

I loaded mine with the Keith .44 semi-wadcutter and heavy loads of 2400. I used these to shoot targets at 400 yards. Loaded with the bullet crimped in the crimp groove .. if I remember correctly .. they were too long to feed through the action. But boy were they fun for reaching 'way out there.

I was 15 years old and did not realize I should have hung on to that rifle. When I got a car and started chasing girls money seemed more important. Sadly. Too soon old. Too late smart.

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With heavy loads of 2400 or H110 it'll match muzzle energy of 44 Magnum carbine loads.

Little less frontal surface area, little better B.C.

These old rounds are no joke even in the magnum era. Some of the loads Phil Sharpe used scare me a little. The dude apparently had a pair...

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when i bought it the guy gave me a complete box (50 rounds) of original UMC factory loads. All black powder. I shot them all and every one fired ... though some of them went CLICK SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS BOOM!

When you pulled the trigger on them you practiced follow-through.

If I would have kept that box it would be worth quite a bit these days. Ha!

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I just loaded 200rds of 44-40 yesterday 200gr RNFP and 9.0gr Trailboss. [image] [image] [image]

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using a piloted cylinder reamer. It's 6 good holes nice and square. But the throats are 0.431" exactly. We have a good supply of 320 (?) gr. ssk TC plain base bullets for the .44 Mag. that are 0.430".

I just started with beginning .44 Mag data, knowing I had more case capacity so pressures should be lower. Easy to work me up a good load. Recoil was a problem for me until I kept them about 1200-1250 fps. But they hit a bit high to the sights. It's OK since I use a 6-O'clock hold normally. It's the heavy bullet and longer residence time compared to the levels of recoil. At least I can see where the bullet will hit.

Stoked with H110 and a magnum primer the heavy .430-40 Win. Magnum is as good as anything.

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Modern 44-40 WCF Load Data...

When I was a kid ... about 60 years ago ..

Gary built me a G2 Carbine 24" in 38-40 WCF...

EL TIGRE

Yep .. mine looked like that ...

44-40

I took a .44 Mag. cylinder and simply rechambered it

Ya, but the wall thickness is much more on a 44 mag.