.44-40 240gr Nosler data

[jakerudy]

I recently had a 1867 Swedish Rolling block 12.7 x 44mm Rimfire converted to .44-40. Just started with 200 gr lead bullets and the rifle shoots fine but I'd prefer to use jacketed bullets this fall to deer hunt with it and given current prices I'd like to use what I have if possible.

Barrel liner is 0.420" bore with 0.428" grooves. I've got a number of Nosler 240 gr Sporting Handgun bullets at 0.429". Powders I'd like to use with these bullets are between H110, Lil' Gun, or IMR 4198. I'm not looking to push max pressure but want enough to be effective on a deer or occasional pig at 100 yards max and more likely around 50 yards.

It would be nice if one of these powders would also work with 0.428" 200 gr semi wadcutters for practice.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Bryan Austin]

The only "published" 240gr load data I have seen is from Hercules, Alliant and Lee.

Lead 240gr used with Reloder 7



I have used such loads with the Hornady 240gr SWCHP with great success on deer. I did pressure test (amateur) some loads and found the following:

Last Update: 2022-6-18, 44-40 Pressure Results, 96 Tests

WRA 1917 CARTRIDGE ENGINEERING OFFICE DEFINITIVE PROOF PRESSURES WINCHESTER RIFLES. 2-14-17 CENTER FIRE REPEATING & SINGLE Caliber,Model,Service Press. Average,Proof Press Min. Av.,Increase Over Av. Service 6 MM,Lee,42,000 7.62 MM,95',40,513 32 Winchester,73',17,000 38 Winchester,73',14,000 44 ...

docs.google.com

My experience with jacketed vs lead is that the jacketed bullets typically have higher pressures. Larger than published diameters will also be higher.

 

[jakerudy]

Perfect, thank you. Comparing loads from other cartridges is appears IMR 4198 charge is around 10% less than Re 7. Any opinion?

 

[Bryan Austin]

I never tested 4198 with any 240gr bullets, thus my comment would be nothing more than a guess. The 44-40 loads should never be compared to any other cartridge load. However, Larry Gibson did some pressure testing with the 44 Magnum loads. In comparison with the 44-40, his results can be found here: https://sites.google.com/view/44winchester/contributors/larry-gibson

 

[jakerudy]

This morning I managed to find an unopened pound of Re 7 on my shelf. Price tag on it is $21 so I've had it awhile. I also have a good supply of black powder so that might be a safer path.

 

[Bryan Austin]

This morning I managed to find an unopened pound of Re 7 on my shelf. Price tag on it is $21 so I've had it awhile. I also have a good supply of black powder so that might be a safer path.

The Reloder 7 will be fine....it is my preferred powder for accuracy and pressures. May not be as accurate with 240gr jacketed bullets, it it is the cat's meow with 214gr lead.
I have some targets here: https://sites.google.com/view/44winchester/accuracytargets/targets-load-development/2017-targets

and

Chasing the 44-40 - 2018 Targets

1-9-18 Test Barrel load development begins. PressureTrace II Software testing saga didn't start until 10 November 2018 but targets were not used much since testing was not for accuracy. However, targets that were used will be noted. 83 tests were conducted and the last one was on 9 March

sites.google.com

 

[jakerudy]

After some trial & error I was able to seat the 240 gr Nosler without buckling the brass. Using WLP primers and 22.5 gr of Re 7 the loads fired fine and hit a steel plate so that is a start. Primers didn't flatten after firing but one piece of brass split (not at the neck) and there is unburned powder left in the barrel.

Any more advice is appreciated.

 

[Bryan Austin]

Great Report!!

The splitting is not cause by the load, the 44-40 was loaded to high pressures for 35 years from the factory.....unless those have been reloaded quite a few times and over working the brass during the rezing process.

I use 25.6gr with a 215gr lead bullet and Starline brass, reloaded many times with no issues. Actually never split a case using reloader 7. All but one split was caused by using the LFCD...when I switched to the Redding profile crimp die, never had another issue. That was a long time ago.

I doubt you will ever see flattening primers until you hit about 30,000cup. If you have a harshly cut chamber, you may see the "imperfections" from that cut slightly superficially imprinted on the case at about 18,000cup.

 

[jakerudy]

Brass is new but I may have run the expander too deep. Pretty sure the brass bucking was due to crimping before the bullet was deep enough. In the single shot I don't really need a crimp to speak of and OAL isn't all that critical so I started backing off to save the brass. OAL ended up at 1.59" but it may need some fine tuning between the expanding and crimp.

I'll look at the chamber but the gunsmith is top notch so I'll be surprised if it is rough.

Is the unburned powder typical? I've had the Re 7 a long time but had never used it.

 

[Bryan Austin]

Brass is new but I may have run the expander too deep. Pretty sure the brass bucking was due to crimping before the bullet was deep enough. In the single shot I don't really need a crimp to speak of and OAL isn't all that critical so I started backing off to save the brass. OAL ended up at 1.59" but it may need some fine tuning between the expanding and crimp.

I'll look at the chamber but the gunsmith is top notch so I'll be surprised if it is rough.

Is the unburned powder typical? I've had the Re 7 a long time but had never used it.

Oh yes, plenty of room for fine tuning...especially for the single shot.
Yes, always sems to be some skeletons left. I also noticed this when shooting the old Sharpshooter powder too. This bothers some people, but not me. It's like buying a 4x4 and never getting it muddy!