.38-40 sized to 44WCF

[Rye Miles]

I know many of you know that .38-40 can be resized to .44-40 by simply loading them as you would the 44WCF, but for those of you that don't know this (I didn't) It works great!!! Ya hafta be a little careful when opening up the case, I had a few that folded over but 99% of them worked fine. I shot 50 and they worked just fine! I have 300 more to load!!! Yippee

Has anyone else done this???

Rye

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I started with .44 WCFs, and cases being in short supply a variety of range pickups came my way, so the 38 WCF cases got converted immediately with full satisfaction.  Then I bought a 1896 vintage SAA in 38 WCF, so the 38 cases got re-converted, again with full satisfaction.

[Sod Buster]

I reloaded a few 38-40 to 44-40 with FFg by accident once.  They worked fine in my Uberti 1873.

[Rye Miles]

Now I noticed that the second time I reloaded the 38wcf cases, I was crushing and some were folding over a bit. My 44wcf cases are no problem. I guess ya really have to be careful with resizing 38wcf to 44 wcf!

Rye

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Now I noticed that the second time I reloaded the 38wcf cases, I was crushing and some were folding over a bit. My 44wcf cases are no problem. I guess ya really have to be careful with resizing 38wcf to 44 wcf!

Rye

Using care and regular dies I haven't had a problem expanding necks back to .44-40.  If if happens too often here is an option;

http://www.ch4d.com/products/dies/expanding/tmp

I have a set of 3 for other conversions, like .348WCF to .45-75.

[Noz]

Fire form?

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Fire form?

Usually not necessary, and a waste of primers, powder and time wadding over top of the powder.  If you take care and a bit of extra time they will generally reform without loss. I was offering an alternative.  The CH expanders are not too expensive, but I already have a set ready for problem case conversions.

[Rye Miles]

Thanks Sir Charles but I got a better solution....I'm tradin' 'em to a pard fer 44WCF!!!  

Rye

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Thanks Sir Charles but I got a better solution....I'm tradin' 'em to a pard fer 44WCF!!!  
Rye

Excellent option if its available.