Gary didn't start the bottleneck revolver cartridges..
But, he definitely revived the idea and has done more to exploit them on our behalf for the last 40 years.
So, with that in mind, I've decided I have to try a Reeder in the first bottleneck rounds. Mainly the 44-40 and 38-40, of course.
Seems right to try these old classics in modern, tight chambered guns. Like the 44 Special and 45 Colt, they are far more capable than original (or paper) ballistics would have us believe.
I probably won't be able to post loading data, but will post results as I progress.
Have discussed with Gary and hope to start soon.
.44-40 or fight
I picked up a 6.5" Old Vaquero in .44-40 LNIB for $400 last year. After reading the Lee Martin article about undersized throats/oversized barrels (http://singleactions.com/files/4440Vaqueros.pdf) and fearing I might have a dog, I took it to Gary for light work (PPP + red dot mount). Shoots like a dream with factory stuff, although regrettably I have yet to work up anything else for it.
...which is all to say that while my me-too post is useless in aiding your research, I heartily approve of the concept.
On a Reeder 44-40, I'm thinking a 5-Shot on a Ruger Midframe
That would keep the gun more to the original Colt size, but provide the added strength to venture out a bit with modern loads. It certainly wouldn't be as strong as a 5-Shot Blackhawk, but more than adequate for the pressure limits I'd push the 44-40 brass to.
I cheated. Not an original idea, this guy
used to write for G&A, don't think it was Spankinburger (lol, sp?) a fellow with dark hair, where I first saw it in 1978-79. I took a second SBH .44 cylinder I fitted and self reamed it to .44-40, or .43-40 as Mr. Taffin put it.
My SBH has .431 or so throats so I just shoot .430" bullets loaded into .44-40 cases. Works just dandy. I went off the reservation and have some loaded up with H110 and 325 gr. cast plain base I bought from a Misfit who admitted his errors. I have redeemed him. lol
It still shoots the soft bullet Cowboy 200 gr. .427" loads fine. In FACT I accidentally shot a whole cylinder full of .44-40 through my Late Vaquero .45 Colt off the bench at 25 yds. Garnered a 4" group too! So my custom SBH shoots, all straight wall .44's including magnums and .44-40.
As to the .38-40 it is more tricky than the .44 WCF. I gave up on the .44 Colt Frontier barrel onto the OM Ruger like Taffin managed. Could never get the 2nd generation threads to match acceptably. So I just had Gary do me a 6-shot .38-40 on the old .357 Ruger chassis. It is a delight. I also have a larger chassis 6-shot in .401 GNR with an extra .40 S&W cylinder. Then a .401 Herter's with it's second .38-40 cylinder. The latter is actually, cylinder wise, not much if any bigger than the old Colt Peacemaker. The frame if beefy indeed. Dick Williams once borrowed the Herter's for an article on the .401 Herter. You can still find it on the net and a reference to Gary Reeder working over the .38-40 cylinder!
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I bought a Colt 44-40 Cylinder surplus from the defunked...
Colt Custom Shot. Partially engraved and supposedly the engraving in progress when the plug was pulled.
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I fit the cylinder to my 7.5" Colt New Frontier 44 Special. It actually fits tighter than the original cylinder and has ideal .431" throats.
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The excess scribe work was removed and the cylinder was polished. It has since been blued and I look forward to trying it out. I got the cylinder for $150 due to it being partially engraved. To me, it added character, remained 100% Colt and will simply mark the empty chamber for safe carry.