[broom_jm]

I'm thinking about settling on just one bullet to load for both of my 44 rifles. Due to the action of the model '92 44/40, the bullet will have to be no more than 200 grains, with a nose that is safe in a tubular magazine. I'm leaning toward using the 200gr XTP, but was wondering if that will be a good choice for the 44 Mag, which I've always used full-throttle 240gr loads in, for hunting.

What would be very cool is to find a good cast bullet option that would work well for both cartridges, for hunting and plinking. Any thoughts?

 

[ironhead7544]

Check with Hornady for the velocity window on the 200 gr XTP. John Taffin uses this bullet in a 44-40 M92 at 1500. That might be max for best performance. Im probably going to use this bullet in my 44-40 for hunting.

 

[broom_jm]

Ironhead,

That's the bullet I'm currently using in my 44/40 and it works quite well at 1500fps. I just wonder if it's too light to make best use of in my 44 Magnum, Contender carbine?

 

[ironhead7544]

Might not be strong enough. When I called Hornady about the 180 gr bullets was told it was for the 44 Special velocity loads. The 240 gr XTP should be OK for a carbine.

 

[TMan]

You might want to take a look at the Sierra 210gr HP.

I used them for years from my T/C, which shoots real well with that bullet and 90gr of FFF. I use T/C two peice sabots.

The chrony says I'm getting 1600fps, and the few I've recovered from game have had a perfect mushroom.

 

[bk42261]

Has anyone tried a 200 WFP hard-cast lead bullet in a Ruger .44 carbine? My wife has one, and wants to go bear hunting (here in Maine). Her rifle shoots really accurately with 300 XTPs but Im worried about the recoil wrecking the rifle.

 

[broom_jm]

You might want to take a look at the Sierra 210gr HP.

I used them for years from my T/C, which shoots real well with that bullet and 90gr of FFF. I use T/C two peice sabots.

The chrony says I'm getting 1600fps, and the few I've recovered from game have had a perfect mushroom.

Ya know, TMan...that's a very good-looking option for what I'm wanting to do. I believe I will order 100 of those and see if they cycle well in my model '92. If so, I bet they'll do a very good job at the velocity range I'll be shooting them. Thanks for bringing these to my attention...this really is an excellent forum!

 

[MikeG]

I really don't see 200gr. bullets as ideal in a .44 mag to be honest. 240-250 is as light as I would go. Personal opinion.....

 

[broom_jm]

I really don't see 200gr. bullets as ideal in a .44 mag to be honest. 240-250 is as light as I would go. Personal opinion.....

I agree with your opinion, Mike. I've used 240gr XTP's in my 44Mag for as long as I've owned it, but with the 44/40 needing shorter/lighter bullets, I'd like to have a single option that can be loaded in both. Maybe that's just not realistic, if I want good performance from both. I'm willing to load the 44Mag a little on the mild side if that's what it takes to use just one bullet. What I was really hoping to find is a hard-cast bullet that would do the job?

 

[crazydave]

I agree with your opinion, Mike. I've used 240gr XTP's in my 44Mag for as long as I've owned it, but with the 44/40 needing shorter/lighter bullets, I'd like to have a single option that can be loaded in both. Maybe that's just not realistic, if I want good performance from both. I'm willing to load the 44Mag a little on the mild side if that's what it takes to use just one bullet. What I was really hoping to find is a hard-cast bullet that would do the job?

I use this: 200gr XTP w/ 16.8gr Blue Dot and WLP w/ Starline brass in an original Ruger .44 Carbine - 1.07" @100yds and kills critters like lightning!

 

[crazydave]

And since you DID say "rifle" - Lee's 240gr SWC-TL has run out of my 14 1/2 Remington @1600fps without leading. Also shot well from my Ruger....

 

[crazydave]

RCBS Cowboy .430" [NOT .428"] 200gr is also excellent in both rifles PLUS does good work in all of my pistols and revolvers - which sometimes lead with the Lee bullet. FWIW....

 

[JBledsoe]

.

You are talking about two different bore diameters, .427 and .429. How are you going to get one cast bullet to work well in both?

.

 

[broom_jm]

.

You are talking about two different bore diameters, .427 and .429. How are you going to get one cast bullet to work well in both?

.

The 44/40 has an after-market Green Mountain barrel, because the original was badly pitted, especially the chamber. I called Green Mountain and they confirmed that all of their 44 caliber barrels are rifled for .429" bullets, even the 44/40, which was originally .427".

I'm going to try the 200gr XTP in my 44 Mag carbine. That's what I've been using in the 44/40 for the last two years and with a little help from a gunsmith down in Texas, I've got it feeding properly with those bullets. I'm also going to try the 210gr bullet from Sierra, as it is a compromise weight between the 200gr and 240gr, which is what I've used in my 44 Mag for years.

Thanks for all the input, guys. If there is a single cast bullet that you feel would work well, for milder loads in both guns, that is something I want to explore, this winter.

 

[Shyoldman]

I have a 240gr SWCHP mold I would be glad to send you a few to try.

 

[mattsbox99]

Has anyone tried a 200 WFP hard-cast lead bullet in a Ruger .44 carbine? My wife has one, and wants to go bear hunting (here in Maine). Her rifle shoots really accurately with 300 XTPs but Im worried about the recoil wrecking the rifle.

Ruger made several different carbines, but none of them are weak. I have no trouble with the 300 grain Noslers in my 99/44, but I don't shoot lead in that gun.

 

[John Kort]

Jim,
The nose to crimp groove dimension is the same for the 180, 200 and 240 XTP bullets. Therefore, a 44-40 cartridge loaded with the 240 gr. XTP will have the same oal as with the 200 XTP.

Have fun!
John

 

[crazydave]

The 44/40 has an after-market Green Mountain barrel, because the original was badly pitted, especially the chamber. I called Green Mountain and they confirmed that all of their 44 caliber barrels are rifled for .429" bullets, even the 44/40, which was originally .427".

I'm going to try the 200gr XTP in my 44 Mag carbine. That's what I've been using in the 44/40 for the last two years and with a little help from a gunsmith down in Texas, I've got it feeding properly with those bullets. I'm also going to try the 210gr bullet from Sierra, as it is a compromise weight between the 200gr and 240gr, which is what I've used in my 44 Mag for years.

Thanks for all the input, guys. If there is a single cast bullet that you feel would work well, for milder loads in both guns, that is something I want to explore, this winter.

I have this in the original "solid" config, works well in both calibers [plus .41Swiss, 11mmWerndel, .44Evans, "bumped-up" to .43Spanish] at all speeds from 800 - 1800fps:

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details.php?entryID=26

 

[willygene]

if you use a .429 bullet in the 44-40 brass make sure use the thin brass. if you use thick brass like stare line you might have setting and crimping problems and the brass may not hold as long as you like.

 

[broom_jm]

if you use a .429 bullet in the 44-40 brass make sure use the thin brass. if you use thick brass like stare line you might have setting and crimping problems and the brass may not hold as long as you like.

You may have just hit on the problem I've been having that led me to create this thread! I am using Starline brass, which I can see is thicker than the Winchester CAS loads I bought. That's probably why I was having difficulty with rounds chambering easily, but I resolved that with some excellent advice from a gunsmith who specializes in these guns. I don't want to go to a smaller bullet (the bore is made for .429" diameter bullets) and I like the strength of the Starline brass...trying to reload the Winchester brass, they crush SO easily!

I may not have any choice but to try some .428 or .427 bullets in the 44/40 and stick with the 240gr XTP, in the 44 Mag.