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This is my idea for trying to breech load the 44-40. Take a empty once fired case and fit the inside with a dowel rod that comes up to the point with black mark.It works. Really no reason not to work.
Thompson Contenders make a barrel for the 44-40 and there were a few single shot rifles manufactured back in the day.
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Because I can sounds like a good reason. Another reason might be that 44-40 brass is hard to come by and relatively fragile and difficult to load because of the thin necks. Breech loading has been around for a long time and I think the 44-40 chamber might work well with that style of loading.Are you trying these things because you can, or because it makes sense to you?
Yea, I go out of my way to load center fire cartridges other than designed too. Not.Because I can sounds like a good reason. Another reason might be that 44-40 brass is hard to come by and relatively fragile and difficult to load because of the thin necks. Breech loading has been around for a long time and I think the 44-40 chamber might work well with that style of loading.
I was looking for a 44 mag rifle when I came across this one which I picked up for less than half of what the 44 mag rifles were going for. I may regreat not spending a few hundred more but maybe I will get lucky and find a deal on some cases one day. Meanwhile I will make the best with what I have.Your rifle, your choice. I've reached a point where I won't play with things of which there is short supply. So have a good time.
Good idea.My advise is go to a few Cowboy action shoots and pickup some once fired brass. Or put a WTB add for 44 40 brass. If you want it to last awhile learn to anneal. These are nice to know things, but if you want to shoot your gun, buy brass. DR
I appreciate that offer but I think I can make this work. If Starline ever gets caught up, maybe they will start making 44-40 brass again.Check out page 272 of Donnelly's "Handloaders Manual of Cartridges" (my copy) and it explains how to take .303 British (which I'll assume is thicker than factory 44-40) to Winchester 44-40.
Tell you what, if you don't have a friend with a lathe, I'll turn down a few hundred rims for you. You supply the cases. The rest of the tooling (trimming and inside neck reaming) is on you.
I am rareIt's rare to see someone make something harder than designed. Just because.
Thanks for the link but it's out of stock. That seems to be a trend with 44-40 brass. Pat's reloading may have some Remington brand 44-40 in stock but I have not heard positive reviews of it. I will hold out for Starline to run another batch, one of these years.