Need .44 Rem. Advice

[Fox Creek Kid]

I am soon receiving a original '75 Rem. in, you guessed it, .44 Rem. caliber. I have scoured the archives here for any granule of info for loading this old war horse. I will obviously have to slug the chambers. The barrel grooves are five in number I believe and damn near impossible to measure accurately. Is there any heel based bullet that runs approx. 0.446 0 0.447 or will I simply have to size the ones that are approx. 0.452 to chamber?

[Tommy tornado]

I might have just what you need to reload for that Remington.  I have a Remington Conversion that I have decided not to shoot.  Before I did that however, I went out and purchased a lot of the stuff to reload .44 Remington and have a box loaded up using heeled bullet stuffed into a .44 colt case.  I got it from Halfway Creek Charlie, who is currently awol.  Let me know if you are interested in the stuff.  I can send you a complete list of what all it entails.  I recently almost bought a .44 colt open top just because I had the brass, so you might be helping me out by removing a temptation.

[Tubac]

Kid,

I've been shooting a Remington conversion with the .44 Colt heeled bullets from Old West Bullet Moulds.
I use 25 Gr of FFG Schuetzen topped off with corn meal and have no complaints. I use a LEE .45 long
Colt die set and a crimper from OWBM.
Let's see some photo's when you get it, OK?

Tubac

[Fox Creek Kid]

I'm familiar with Bernie at OWM as he's made two moulds for me for other calibers. My only worry is that I know the 0.452 heel bullets are too large to chamber. I know where I can get a 0.447, 0.448, 0.449 or 0.450 sizer however.

Tommy T., PM me with a list, good buddy. 

[Fox Creek Kid]

Photo test.

[Tommy tornado]

Let me know if the PM with price got back to you.  I am having some computer problems with time outs, etc. for some reason.   

[Fox Creek Kid]

Did not get it. 

[Hoof Hearted]

FCK

Do you know EXACTLY what will fit in the chambers? I would do a chamber cast or two with cerrosafe. More than likely the bore is tight and th chambers are not. But if they are, have Bernie make you a lubrisizer die that is the right size and lube and size the loaded rounds nose first to the size needed. I do this for all of my heel base bullets. Bernie will only make one to fit his moulds (he uses the same cherry to grind the ejector pin). Stillwell Tool and Die has made some for me to fit Lyman bullets.

[Black River Smith]

FCK

You will want to measure the chambers also.  The original 44Rem casing diameter was/is 0.448.  They say that it could 'substitute' for the 44Colt in Colt revolver but not visa versa that was because it was a smaller diameter casing.  I have tried reproducing the case from modern brass but I could not swage/sized small enough.  You may need to order special die sets.

I wanted to use this casing for a modern conversion (Modern Rem 1858 'that I measured' and older chambers are 0.450) that way the cylinder stops would not cut through.

Hope this helps you. 

[Fox Creek Kid]

When I get said gun and make measurements I will report back. 

[Hoof Hearted]

FCK

You can always load hollow base bullets in 44 Colt or Russian cases. If you stick with soft lead and 4.5 gr Trail Boss or BP you will be surprised how well they shoot. I shoot both and it's a toss up as they size and lube easier but are more hassle to cast than Heel base bullets.

[Fox Creek Kid]

TRAIL BOSS? NEVER shoot smokeless in an original made for BP!! That's a cardinal rule!! Besides, I don't shoot smokeless in any real or reproduction arm of the 19th century. I've seen several real 19th century S&W's ruined by a few smokeless rounds.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I seem to recall that the main area of stress with smokeless powder is the cylinder, not the frame. It seems that if one is using a Kirst or R&D cylinder made of modern steel, a light smokeless load souldn't be a problem. In an original gun, I agree no way. In my Italian copy with modern steel cylinders and light loads (Trail Boss), I don't expect any problems.

[Hoof Hearted]

Oh MY God!

The pope is gonna get me........aaaagggghhhhh

I would never suggest anyone do anything that would be dangerous. Damn that Elmer Keith I told him a million times not to load smokeless in old SAA's but he just wouldn't listen , course he eventually died

I have 30+ years of being dangerous, I own 200 or so antique firearms, I shoot smokless and BP in rifles, shotguns and pistols. None have any untold wear from my "breaking the rules", your mileage may vary.

FCK

There is no reason for us to get sideways on this subject. I did not tell you what to do, so please don't get upset