random question

[The Trinity Kid]

Hey y'all.

Okay, my brain came up with an interesting thought last night:  What would happen if you tried to shoot a .44-40 out of a Peacemaker chambered for .45? 

Is the rim on the 44-40 big enough, or is the .427 caliber bullet too small to work?   

Just a thought.

--TK

[Abilene]

It will fire, but the report will be less than usual and the brass will be bulged and possibly split.  You might even hit the targets (I did once when accidently fired 44 Spcl out of my 45.

[jimbobborg]

From memory, the 44-40 rim is the same diameter as the 45 Schofield's, as is the base of the cartridge.  You basically fireformed a .45 Colt case out of more expensive 44-40 brass.

[Dick Dastardly]

They will chamber and go boom but accuracy is for crap.  Brass life is short.  Why do it?

DD-MDA

[The Trinity Kid]

Believe me, I have no plans for ever doing it.  Just curious as to what would happen.

--TK

[Blair]

TK,

Your thoughts are valid, in my opinion.

Think about what might happen if you put a .45 LC cylinder and cartridge in a revolver with a rifled barrel in .38 or .44 caliber? Very bad things  will most likely happen!

At least a 44-40 cartridge in a .45 LC cylinder or chamber... worst will be a rupture case with maybe some difficulty getting that ruptured case out of the chamber.
My best,
Blair

[wildman1]

On the plus side ya might get ta do a little lead mining after. wM1

[Blair]

Lead mining... for who?
You and your friends, and fellow shooters? Or for the Doctor in the ER?
My best,
Blair

[Bunk Stagnerg]

exactly why I would prefer my 1860 Henry to be in .45 Colt since everything else is .45 Colt.
.44-40 cases will fire form to .45colt(see my post), but manually expanding the case neck to .452" and then fire form is a pain
Bunk

[jimbobborg]

Just checked with my two Ubertis, a .45 Colt round won't chamber in my 44-40 revolvers.

[Noz]

One of our cowboy shooters uses 44-40 brass blown out to 45 Colt in his Henry to reduce blowback. Works.

[Dick Dastardly]

Worse is loading 45 Colt ammo into a 44-40 rifle.  Jams 'em up pronto.  I know cuz my pardner did it at a shoot.  Had to remove the tube plug and spring to unload.

DD-MDA

[Blair]

DD,

The shorter .44 Russian round will loch up a leaver gun chambered for .45 Colt pretty quick too.
Don't ask me how I know.
My best,
Blair

[wildman1]

Lead mining... for who?
You and your friends, and fellow shooters? Or for the Doctor in the ER?
My best,
Blair

Your barrel, ya might get a little blowby shootin a 44-40 in a 45 Colt Just sayin. wM1.

[litl rooster]

Right there on range rules right below-always keep muzzle down range.

Never ever mix ammo

[Cliff Fendley]

It will shoot but the results are not satisfactory.

I shot a team side match with a friend that accidentally loaded my 44-40 BP ammo in his 45 colt rifle. He hit most of the targets but the action got badly fouled and the brass was split and fire formed quite ugly.

As DD said it's not as bad as accidentally putting 45 in a 44. Then you have to take the gun apart, seen that happen too.

[cpt dan blodgett]

I did find out what happens when you shoot 44 special out of a 45 cylinder when I bought my first 44 Mag Ruger Vaquero.  Case bulged and was hard to get out of the cylinder, no split cases.  Perhaps I was lucky as I was shooting pretty wimpy loads, AA2 starting loads for 44 Spec.  Gun shot where it was pointed.

Not sure how it happened but the pistol actually had a 45 cal cylinder, obviously I was not paying close attention.  Perhaps the dealer mixed up cylinders or Ruger screwed up.  This was nearly 20 years ago in El Paso.  Sent the vaquero back to ruger with in a few days it was back with the proper cylinder and the last 3 of the serial number engraved on front of cylinder.