Convert a .44 magnum to 44WCF
Drake Elliott
[subject]
Friday, June 12, 2020, 12:03 (2259 days ago)
I was wondering if it was possible to convert a ruger Blackhawk in 44 magnum to 44WCF thanks
shouldn't be a problem.
Gary Reeder
[subject]
Friday, June 12, 2020, 12:11 (2259 days ago) @ Drake Elliott
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Replying 44mag to 44WCF
Drake Elliott
[subject]
Friday, June 12, 2020, 12:32 (2259 days ago) @ Gary Reeder
Would I send the whole gun or just the cylinder or is a cylinder going to be made from scratch?
either way I would need the whole gun in here
Gary Reeder
[subject]
Friday, June 12, 2020, 12:58 (2259 days ago) @ Drake Elliott
It would be all up to you. A new cylinder or rechambering your old one if it is in decent condition. Also I have to take the old caliber off by law and put the new caliber on. So some rebluing will be necessary.
I’ll send the gun as soon as I get it
Drake Elliott
[subject]
Friday, June 12, 2020, 18:14 (2259 days ago) @ Gary Reeder
Thanks Gary,
I’ll send you the gun as soon as I get it. And I’ll have you make an auxiliary cylinder in the 44 WCF
Think I'd get Gary to add an auxiliary cylinder in 44-40...
Huey
[subject]
Friday, June 12, 2020, 13:37 (2259 days ago) @ Drake Elliott
You'd have a far more versatile gun and still be able to shoot 44 Magnum, Special and Russian. JT is right on about dies. I use Lee Dies for my 44-40 ammo. Replaced the .427" expander with a .428" one. Works great...
EXTRA CYLINDER DEFINITELY THE WAY
JT
[subject]
Friday, June 12, 2020, 14:27 (2259 days ago) @ Huey
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About the Lee expander
Drake Elliott
[subject]
Friday, June 12, 2020, 18:12 (2259 days ago) @ Huey
Huey,
I didn’t know they made an expander die at .428. I think I’d have him make an auxiliary cylinder for certain. That way I could have a very versatile gun. I’d probably have to cast bullets to .428 right instead of the .427? Or should I try and squeeze a .430 in there?
The 44 Magnum Expander in the Powder Thru Die...
Huey
[subject]
Friday, June 12, 2020, 18:22 (2259 days ago) @ Drake Elliott
By Lee measured .428". It's made to hold .429-.431" bullets. So, $13 later I had a spare on the way and replaced the slightly too small one of the 44-40 Expander.
JT had clued me into this before I started loading for the 44-40. It works like a charm.
THIS WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE
JT
[subject]
Friday, June 12, 2020, 20:42 (2259 days ago) @ Drake Elliott
Early .44-40 Vaqueros. The cylinders were cut for traditional .44-40s while the barrels were .44 Magnum. Accuracy suffered. Ruger then got their .44-40 cylinders to handle .429"-430" bullets. That made a significant difference. Trying to shoot .427 inch bullets down a .44 Magnum barrel will not work very well. Even an auxiliary cylinder should be cut to handle .44 Magnum-sized bullets.
YOU MAY NEED NEW DIES AS THE
JT
[subject]
Friday, June 12, 2020, 13:09 (2259 days ago) @ Drake Elliott
NEW .44-40 WILL USE .44 MAG SIZE BULLETS WHICH ARE NORMALLY .429-431". I HAVE .44-40s WHICH WILL NOT ACCEPT ANYTHING LARGER THAN .427-428"