Well Hoss Pucky, this ain't gonna work???

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Iggy

Iggy

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I recently picked up a purty decent 38/44 Outdoorsman.
Outdoorsman-1.gif
I done a little scoutin' around and found out there ain't a lot of factory ammunition for this critter layin' around.

Well I been reloadin' for over 50 years so this ain't no problem.

So I gits my gear all set and runs one thru the ol RCBS single shot and I'm ready to test her out.

Don't know where I went wrong here, but I don't think this is gonna work....
Pistolcartridge.gif
It's a 38/44 dagnabit, why don't it fit?
Bign.gif
 
Well ya done wrong when ya tied to load them in the back of the cylinder like usual.

I thought everyone knew you load 38/44's in from the front of the cylinder.

BTW: Pretty neat!! :D

rc
 
I detect the sound of a chain being pulled, but FWIW, the .38-44 S&W Special for that Outdoorsman is just a heavy loaded .38 Special. Any .38 Special cartridge will work fine. The guns and cartridges were called that because it was a .38 on the .44 (N) frame.

There is some confusion because of the old .38-44 S&W Gallery round for the New Model No 3 target revolver, but don't worry about that; it hasn't been made since the 1920s.

BTW, that Outdoorsman is a nice gun; it and the other .38-44 revolver, the Heavy Duty, were used in the experiments that led to the .357 Magnum.

Jim
 
LOL! I think you need to adjust your sizing die because you're suppose to seat the bullet all the way down to the cannelure
 
To make things a bit worse, that bullet is actually a 350 grain 457 caliber.:evil:

JimK,
Yup when you shoot those old ODs and HDs with rounds loaded to the original 38/44 specs, it'll make a 357 mag check it's hold cards.
 
Last edited:
Yup when you shoot those old ODs and HDs with rounds loaded to the original 38/44 specs, it'll make a 357 mag check it's hold cards.
Click to expand...

True...for today's 158-grain .357 offerings. Not for the original .357 load, though. I have some of the old ammo, and it's hot with a capital OMG! I clocked it at just a tick over 1400 fps through my 4-inch 681, and it bumped 1450 in my 4.625-inch Blackhawk...about 200 fps faster on average than current loadings.

If memory serves me, the advertised velocities for the .38-44 ammunition was 1200 fps from a 6-inch barrel. Not something that you'd want to shoot a lot in a Model 10...and don't let it get within sniffin' distance of a J-Frame.
 
Fuff,
Yessir, *G* Actually that is a 350 grain .457 orginally destined for a 45-70 rifle.
I may be strecthin' things a mite on that old OD.

Tuner,
Yup the originals were hot. I've loaded some up from time to time and shot them in a 6" Highway Patrolman. Impressive to say the least. Purty effective out of an old Remington Rolling Block Carbine too.
 
Iggy...I can almost duplicate the original load with 2400 and home cast 160s before I start to get sticky cases. Although I've fired a few in my K-frames, I'm very hesitant on that front. I reserve it for occasional use in the 681 and pretty much as I please in the Blackhawk when I feel like showin' the young'uns what the .357 Magnum once was.

Incidentally, the original .44 Magnum loading with the 240-grain high antimony gas-checked SWC was a wrist wringer, too. Whew!
 
Always good to start the day with a good laugh, well done Iggy. Very nice looking 38/44 also. Have fun with that thang.
 
Very nice revolver Iggy, as usual....the round looks like a frigging missle!! It's certainly a conversation starter. I look forward to a range report once you work up a load that fits inside the cylinder....:)
 
Iggy said:
I recently picked up a purty decent 38/44 Outdoorsman.
Outdoorsman-1.gif
I done a little scoutin' around and found out there ain't a lot of factory ammunition for this critter layin' around.

Well I been reloadin' for over 50 years so this ain't no problem.

So I gits my gear all set and runs one thru the ol RCBS single shot and I'm ready to test her out.

Don't know where I went wrong here, but I don't think this is gonna work....
Pistolcartridge.gif
It's a 38/44 dagnabit, why don't it fit?
Bign.gif
Click to expand...
Funny stuff!!
 
What's all the fuss about?
That looks just like the reloads for my trusty ole' .44.
Geeze, have you guys seen the prices for .44 brass?
Iggy, you're just trying to install that round in the wrong gun, is all.
 
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