Uberti 44-40 Problem

[PJ Hardtack]

Tried shooting my wife's 'new' Uberti 44-40 7-1/2" revolver. My reloads (FL sized and Lee factory crimped) and both Remington and Winchester factory rds would not chamber. Now I know why it was such an unnmarked 'safe queen'.

I did some chamber polishing and now factory loads will chamber, but - there is a burr around the firing pin hole and a high edge on the back plate (recoil shield) that prevents rotation.

These can be stoned down and I can try sizing to the max on my reloads. That or order a chamber reamer from Brownells.

It never ends with Ubertis .....

[Coal Creek Griff]

I have certainly had issues with my various 44-40's.  I have stoned burrs from the firing pin hole and the "step" on the recoil shield to make the cylinder rotate properly.  I have also had to modify my sizing die to set the shoulder back a little farther in order to get the rounds to seat deeply enough in the chambers.  My Uberti rifles also have rather tight chambers, limiting the combination of bullet size and brand of cases.  With smokeless powder, I've had to deal with bullets tending to telescope into the cases.  It all makes me wonder why that is still my favorite cartridge, but I do like it.  When all is working, anyway...

CC Griff

[PJ Hardtack]

Bright lad that I am, I removed the RCBS sizing die from my Dillon and put it in my RCBS Jr. press, screwing it down to touch the shell holder.   That cured the chambering problem. Gonna have to be a separate step from now on. Big deal.

Next I hand twirled a Dremel diamond grit bit around the burr on the firing pin hole, finishing up with a needle file. Now cases can pass by the firing pin hole freely.

Looking forward to shooting it. Did I mention that it's my wife's gun? A 7-1/2" barrel special commemorative model with some engraving and gold inlay on the frame and cylinder. She says if she likes it, there's another one in her future.

Otherwise  it's MINE!

[Good Troy]

Otherwise  it's MINE!

All the guns in the house belong to my wife...Every time I buy a gun, I say "Look what I bought you, Honey!"  Lightens the mood, and keeps the ruckus down, if nothing else. 

[Bibbyman]

Bright lad that I am, I removed the RCBS sizing die from my Dillon and put it in my RCBS Jr. press, screwing it down to touch the shell holder.   That cured the chambering problem. Gonna have to be a separate step from now on. Big deal.

Next I hand twirled a Dremel diamond grit bit around the burr on the firing pin hole, finishing up with a needle file. Now cases can pass by the firing pin hole freely.

Looking forward to shooting it. Did I mention that it's my wife's gun? A 7-1/2" barrel special commemorative model with some engraving and gold inlay on the frame and cylinder. She says if she likes it, there's another one in her future.

Otherwise  it's MINE!

It's a universal problem using 44-40 sizing dies from other brands in the Dillon press due to the configuration of the shell holder..  I have a small lathe so I chuck up the sizing die and use a grinder to take off about 1/16" off the bottom then polish.

We have 4 Uberti Smoke Wagons in 44WCF.   It was a learning curve to load for them properly.   One pair will take 430 diameter bullets just fine.  The second pair are older and have 428 throats.   Ammo loaded with 430 bullets wouldn't chamber without force.

I've found that if the loaded rounds don't fall in and out with no friction,  then I'll have problems with the cases dragging when fired and cocked.

[Cliff Fendley]

RCBS Cowboy dies and if using in the Dillon make sure they are all the way down touching. Seat and crimp in separate stage using Lee FCD.

Also to add, if using the Dillon the Lee FCD has to be modified a little to work the way it should. You have to turn off some of the lower threads and outer case so it can screw down all the way without interfering with the shell holder so as to make the collet squeeze the cartridge as it should.

I load thousands of 44-40 in my Dillon 550 each year that are used in various Uberti and original firearms.

[PJ Hardtack]

There are solutions, as pointed out.

Until I get the dies modified, I don't mind sizing as a separate operation. I've been using the LEE FC die in a separate operation already.

Lately two of my CAS pals have told me that if they were starting today, they would go with 44-40 all the way. But at the time, they all bought into the myth that loading the 44-40 is too problematic.