First step

[Messerist]

I finally was able to buy a 1872 Open Top.  It arrived on Thursday from Buffalo Arms.  It has the Navy grip, 5 1/2" barrel in .44 Special.  I was torn between that caliber and a .44 Colt.  I chose the .44 Special because I already have re-loading dies for it.  Pretty simplistic.  Now I need to work up a load for it.  I'll be watching this site for more tips.  Thanks for the wealth of information you guys have provided.

[Montana Slim]

I have a similar revolver, but mine is .44 Colt & has Army grip.
I use .44 Russian brass, 18 grains of 3F & 200 grain big-lube bullet.
I'll guess your .44 spl brass will hold around 28 grains...I'd probably use 2F.

Enjoy...that is a fine weapon !!

Regards,
Slim

[will52100]

Actualy I believe my 44 colt dies are 44 special!  I've got the Lee 3 die carbide set and like the 38 special for my 38 colt loads, they just screw down a little more.  I could be wrong, I'm half way around the world rite now and can't look at them, but I believe there the same, or at least a couple of them are.

BTW, no reason not to load 44 colt in a gun chambered for 44 special.  I've got one open top in 44 special and one in 44 colt.  I shoot 44 colt, but if I wanted to buy some over the counter pills I'd be a little limited as the locals don't know what 44 colt is.

Good looking iron, should provide a lot of shootin' pleasure.

A side note, I can't hit the broad side of a barn with mine, but can bullseye every time with my 51 or 60 RM conversions.  My partner who is a terible pistol shot can pic it up and bullseye with it but not my 51's or 60's(or my kimber for that matter)  Wierd.  I've almost sold it a couple of times but figure I just need to practice more with it!

[Coffinmaker]

Messerist,

I shoot a pair of .44Spl Open Tops as Main Match guns and really like them.  I shoot Gunfighter and don't care for much recoil or muzzle flip so ............ I shoot real light loads.  160gr bullet, Federal Primer and 3.5 gr Tightfroup.  You can work up from there.

Coffinmaker

[Crow Choker]

Greetings from the Great Sate of Iowa-I purchased a Cimarron/Uberti Army grip Open Top with 71/2" barrel, chambered in 44 Special close to two years ago. At the same time I got an equal number of 44 Colt and 44 Special cases from Starline. Load and shoot the 44 Colt with black powder only and the 44 Special with smokeless, that way I always know what form of powder is in each case and keeps the two calibers period correct(mostly). Anything chambered in 44 Spec (manufacturered currently) will handle a 44 Colt, and even 44 Russian as case diameter is the same, only the length is different. Same as for calibers such as 357 Mag/38 Spec and 44 Mag/44 Spec. I use RCBS Cowboy dies rated for 44 Special, any die rated for 44 Mag/44 Special should handle 44 Rus and Colt, ya just have to learn how to adjust it up and down in the press. Check Hodgon powder on-line, it gives a full spectrum of powder loadings for Hodgon, IMR, and Winchester powders, ya can access Goex black, Alliant, etc also. I keep all of the smokeless loadings on the light to mid-range though due to the fact the Open-Top "ain't" a Ruger BlackHawk. I have been using Lee Cast 200 grain bullets, but am weaning over to DD's Mav Dutch 200 grainers for shooting black powder in the 44 Colt due to the big lube  groove.  I started out using  25 grains of Goex FFF, but recently loaded 25 grains of FF Goex, as I've read of better results with FF. Haven't shot any of them yet, but the FFF was accurate and pleasant to shoot. On the smokeless side for powders, I have had good luck with IMR Trailboss in the 4.5/5.5 grain range, have also had good accurate loadings with Red Dot and Win 231(again keeping the loadings at or below the mid-range loadings). A side note, if you happen to load 44 Colt, use a shell holder rated for the 41 Magnum due to the case head size being different than the 44 Russ and Special, slightly smaller. Enjoy the Open-top and find myself shooting it more and more over my Cap 'an Balls and Ruger Single Actions.

[Messerist]

You guys are First Rate!  What a great group to rub elbows with!  I am totally a novice when it come to reloading.  My Brother is the reloader in the family.  Thank God he only lives thirty miles away!  I was reading on THR forum several months back about "gallery loads."  The writer said that he brings his Lyman 310 handloader to the range along with primers, roundballs and FFg powder.  I think he was using .451 round balls on top of 25 grains of GOEX FFg.  He mentioned that he would prime the cases, put in the measured powder and then seat the round ball, all with his handloader.  He could shoot this combination all day.  Sounds like a inexpensive day of shooting.  Has anyone had any work done on their OT?  Would you recommend anyone in particular.  I have never had any work done on my revolvers but I have two Cap and Ball Piettas that need some TLC and was thinking about getting a spring job on the OT.  Is this a good move or bad with a new gun?  Thanks again for the advice and comments.