.44 mag in a .44-40

[Malamute]

But I think C. Cliff is a little too dogmatic about those barrel specs.
Ken Waters slugged a number of barrels and found:

Real Winchester 1892 = .428"
Real Winchester 1873 = .429"
Euroarms repro 1873 = .4265"
Colt New Service = .4275"

Load for what you have, not what somebody says you should have.
My relined 1892 is .428" and I would shoot .429" bullets in it if all my brass were thin Winchesters. But I have enough that I get by with .428" when I can find them, otherwise a brand listed at .427" but miking .4275".

Clyde Williamsons book The Winchester Lever Legacy showed a .429 groove diameter for the 92 carbine example they had for working loads up. The older Lyman loading manual I have shows .432" groove diameter in their example. Assuming groove diameters in old Winchesters isn't a good idea. Slugging or miking them is the only way to really know much.

I agree that shooting 44 mags in a 44-40 chamber is a really bad idea with gun wrecking potential. Maybe a case wouldn't rupture, and maybe it could. Not a smart gamble in any way shape or form.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Here are the SAAMI spec dimensions for 44 Magnum and 44-40 cartridges.

You will notice that at the base of the cartridge, 44-40 cases are .012 larger in diameter than 44 Magnums. So if one was able to chamber and fire a 44 Mag in a 44-40 chamber, chances are the case would split, or at least bulge badly.


44 Magnum cartridge and chamber dimensions:







44-40 cartridge and chamber dimensions:



Regarding rifling groove diameter, yes, the 19th Century standard for 44-40 was .427, as opposed to .429 for 44 Mag and 44 Special. In reality, 44-40 rifling groove diameters varied widely, sometimes as low as .425, sometimes up to .430 or so.

I have several old rifles, made in the 19th Century, chambered for 44-40. I have slugged them all. My Marlin 1894 and one Winchester Model 1892 slug out at .427. However I have another Winchester Model 1892, made in 1916 that slugs out at .429. Most modern manufacturers are using the same .429 barrels for 44-40 that they use for 44 Mag and 44 Special. However I have an Uberti replica Winchester 1873 made in the 1980s that slugs out at .427. Go figure.

Because of the discrepancy, I now load all my 44-40 ammo with .428 bullets.

P.S. I have a Merwin Hulbert that slugs out at .429, however the cylinder throats were a tiny .425. Same story with a Colt New Service. These revolvers have had their chamber throats opened up so the bullets would not be squeezed down to small to engage the barrel rifling.

Loading 44-40 can be an adventure.

 

[possom813]

I passed on the deal. I lime lever guns, and i enjoy loading uncommon rounds, and this would have been alright had the guy been more forthcoming.

But i had to pass, i enjoy 10 fingers and 10 toes

 

[the Real Alpo]

Explain how they could have converted it from 44-40 to 44 mag without changing the barrel marking when they would have changed the barrel itself?

Every one I've seen converted was a rebarrel.

As I said before the 44-40 is already too large at the base to ream and make a 44 mag. Plus the original 44-40's were a smaller bore diameter than 44 mag.

Coulda sleeved it, and recut the chamber. Coulda set the barrel back about 3/4", and then recut the chamber.

It's true that Numrich sold 92 barrels chambered in 44 mag, and a rebarrel was an easy fix, but there are other ways.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

Coulda sleeved it, and recut the chamber. Coulda set the barrel back about 3/4", and then recut the chamber.

It's true that Numrich sold 92 barrels chambered in 44 mag, and a rebarrel was an easy fix, but there are other ways.

If they set the barrel back it wouldn't still have the 44wcf markings on it where they normally are on a 92.

 

[Onmilo]

Somebody may have run a .44Mag finish reamer into the .44/40 chamber as a quicky caliber conversion.
Running full power .44 mags through a .427 bore might be an interesting and very destructive adventure.

A professional would have remarked the barrel caliber designation and included a list of recommended loads and instructions on bullet sizing.
No mention of this being included...
I would pass.

 

[SlicLee]

44/40

Tell you what, I shoot 38/40 and bought brass 25 years ago, the 44/40 brass is one of the most expensive brass made in normal hand gun cartridge.
Go over to starling check out the price.

Thats number one, 44 mag brass chamber is not the same as 44 WCF.
Stop being lazy look it up.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

He doesn't have to look it up, I posted the cartridge and chamber drawings for both cartridges. The numbers are right there to see.