Uberti 44-40 and magtech 200gr

[Beano]

I have recently purchased an 1860 uberti. Have shot magtech 230gr and it runs like a champ. When I try to run 200gr magtech the round jams up as it enters the chamber. Anyone have a suggestion on what could be going on.

[Goody]

Is this factory loads? Check the box again and be sure you didn't buy 44 mag or special. Check the headstamp on the ammo as well.

[Beano]

It is factory ammo and I checked the box it is 44-40 win just like the 225 gr. the only difference is the 225gr has (4440b) where the 200gr has (44-40a) on the box.  Anyone know what the difference is?

[Abilene]

Howdy Beano,
Well, maybe a little more info will help us with some ideas.  Is the round hanging up just as the nose of the bullet hits the edge of the chamber opening?  Or does the nose enter but then hang up before the lead is completely in the chamber?  Or when the mouth of the brass starts to enter?  Or does the round enter the chamber okay but hangs up just before it is fully seated?  When it hangs up, does it finally chamber okay if you fiddle with it a bit?  With the lever open, if you push the carrier down and aim the muzzle downward, can you place a round into the top of the action and insert it into the chamber and does it just drop in?  Does the headstamp on the 200gr the same as the 225gr (44-40 or 44wcf) ?  There have been instances of ammo being mismarked.  If it hangs up as the lead bullet enters the chamber but will then chamber okay by jiggling the lever, well that is usually an issue with the bullet shape, such as the sharp edge of a semi-wadcutter catching on the chamber mouth, but the 4440A is a RNFP, and looking at images of it on Magtech's website, it looks like that shape should chamber just fine.  Have you tried any other ammo in it?  Also sometimes 44-40 handloads with .429 diameter bullets can be tight in Uberti chambers, but I don't think that would be the issue as factory ammo usually chambers fine even with .429 bullets, plus Magtech says they use .427 bullets, so that should not be a problem.  I mention this only because you might have someone telling you that you need to use certain brass and bullet combos to chamber in an Uberti.  Possibly you have a box of defective ammo, not crimped or somesuch.  Good luck.

[Beano]

If I drop the round in the chamber it goes in and locks up just fine. When the round enters the chamber using the lever action the bullet will enter the chamber but will hang on the mouth of the bottom of the opening of the chamber. I have used the magtech 225gr and they run like a champ no problems at all. The head stamp is the same on both.  I bought 2 boxes of this ammo and it does the same on both boxes. Spoke with magtech and they said they would swap out the ammo but I would like to be able to run this in my gun.

[Beano]

Well with a help of a few old reloaders we figured out what the problem is. Magtech does not put enough crip on the 200 gr.  this causes the brass to hang on the chamber.  Reloaded my own and problem solved!

[Abilene]

A solved mystery is always welcome! Plus a lot of satisfaction as well as cost savings shooting your own loads.

If you have any of that Magtech 200gr left, you could probably give it a good crimp and shoot it.