What powder for 44-40 ?

[Glennster]

I've got a buddy that's almost ready to start reloading. He's got some 200 grain lead bullets, he'll be using them in a 6 shooter and a lever rifle.
I hear 700X and 2400 are good powders, please tell me what you guys like and why.
THANKS!!!

 

[rcmodel]

2400? NO!
2400 is Magnum pistol powder and will not burn worth a hoot at current published 44-40 pressures.

The 44-40 WCF is an old black-powder cartridge, with a 13,000 CUP pressure limit, and should be treated as such.

Look at UNIQUE, then Bullseye, Titegroup, Clays, AA #2, Universal, and last but not least, Trail Boss.

2400 could be used in higher pressure lever-gun loads, that are beyond current pressure standards.

But you will only get 2 - 3 firings before the thin weak brass breaks in two.

rc

 

[Jim Watson]

I've loaded a lot of .44-40 with 700X; nice mild CAS ammo. I use it largely because I have it on hand for shotgun shells.
Also 231, N320, Titegroup, Unique, and 4227.

I think 2400 would be good for heavier loads, factory equivalent and a little above.

Trail Boss is good, made for the purpose, and is what I recommend for a new loader. It is a bulky powder and he could easily see that each case contained one and only one charge of powder.