cartridge interchangability

[dakotaern]

Here's a question...I recently traded into a Uberti model 1873 in 44mag. The guy I got it from said I could shoot44 special in
it. After I got home I checked and my 44 colt shells slide right in the cylinder, no slop, and the bullet appears to be the
same diameter as the 44 specials I have. What's the story here, can you fire both 44 colt, and 44 specials in a revolver
chambered for 44 mag? The 44 colt case length is a bit shorter, but does this pose a problem for the cylinder?
I went thru a lot of past posts and I can't find any reference to guys firing 44 colt in a 44 mag (or 44 special) revolver.
Thanks for any advice
dakotaern

[Kent Shootwell]

That heeled bullet is .014 ' larger then the S&W and the rim is .031 smaller. I'd say a poor match.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

As Kentshootwell  says, IF the .44 Colt is the ORIGINAL 1870 version, the bullet will be too big at .445" or so. The case itself is a near fit so that is not a problem.

What you can do in a .44 Rem Mag with a .429 groove diameter is to use the MODERN .44 COLT. To make regular .44 bullets (.429 dia.) usable for reloading, the MODERN version is loaded with a .429 diameter bullet and interchangeable in revolvers with the .44 RM, .44 Special AND the .44 Russian.

It is very important to identify the bullet diameter in your .44 colt rounds so they are appropriate to your revolver.

The narrow .483 rim diameter of the ORIGINAL .44 Colt is to accommodate the tight fit in old conversion cylinders on 1860 Colt Richards and Richard-Mason revolvers. The narrow rim will not present a problem in most .44 Mag revolvers with the straight rod ejector.

[dakotaern]

Thanks Kent & Sir Charles for the information.
I will put my mic on the bullet's (I have several hundred factory cowboy loads for my .44 open tops)
Hopefully they will be small enough not to cause a problem in the barrel.
regards
dakotaern

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

There are twothree steps to take to confirm whether your .44 Colts are Original or Modern pattern.

1. Are there any indications on the packaging?
2. Visually. Are the sides of the bullet flush with the case walls? Like a .22 rimfire, or does it look similar to a .44 mag or Special?
3. Pull a bullet and measure.  This is the final answer. You need a bullet puller, and yes, the cartridge can be reassembled. If you don't have the gear, go to a friend who does reload. You might go to your local gunshop, or attend a cowboy match and ask the friendly Pards there.