This might be a crazy question but

[Barbarossa]

Hi
I m currently waiting for my Canadian dealer to get their shipment of
Spencer carbines and have plans on converting one of the 44/40 carbines
into a sporting rifle witha 25inch barrel.What I would like to know is if it
would be possible to have it chambered for 44mag(for shooting rounds
loaded at factory levels) or would it be too hot of a cartridge for the spencer
action to handle.I also thought of having it chambered for 44 mag and just shooting black powder in it as well as I have a good supply of empty cases for it.Let me know what you think.

[Barbarossa]

Hi
Well I just found out that the overall length of the 44mag is longer than the 44/40 so that answers that question.So I guess 44/40 it is.

[mtmarfield]

   Greetings & HoHoHo!

In the spirit of vintage firearms and good old gunpowder {BP}, I would encourage you not to even "hot rod" the .44WCF; with BP it's a proven 100yd. deer rifle. With smokeless, you should be able to load up the cartridge to "toggle-link" level using 'Unique', maybe a bit more. I can really understand your desire to use readily available brass; perhaps you can sell it or make a trade.
If you want more whallup, the 56-50CF will deliver the goods without having to expand; but you're getting into new dies, brass, etc.
At any rate, enjoy that .44WCF, and be sure to tell us all about it!!

            Enjoy the Holiday!

                                   M.T.Marfield
                 In foggy So. California, 7 minutes to Xmas!
                                     12-24-05

[Harve Curry]

I'm no exspurt expert, but if you ever had a case failure, or breech failure and gases came back to the tube magazine in the stock, it could be hard on your complexion.

[Glenn]

Now there's a conversion I've never understood.  Why in the world would you go to all that trouble for a slightly smaller case?  Check out the history of the 44-40 and pay attention to the HV loads.  It's a case of "how brave are you?".  If you want to hotrod the 429 go get a Marlin 444.  Why not convert it to 56-46?

[Harve Curry]

.........  Why not convert it to 56-46?

Now you went and done it. How much velocity & energy can you expect from the 56-46

[Nlneff]

Marcott credits the 56-46 with 1200fps with a 320 grain bullet, for a bit over 1000lbs of KE, I think I've seen one reference to that speed with a 350 grain bullet, but can't remember where.  Cartridges of the World notes it was quite a bit more potent then the 44-40.  In addition, since the 56-46 had a much heavier bullet, it would retain velocity better and penetrate better.  Fairly extensive experamentaion with ammo of this type by the US army concluded it was better for long range and overall military service then the 50-56 spencer, but not enough to warrent replacing the inventory of rifles.