wanting to shoot mags in Vaquero

[Buffalow Red]

i have a pair of 44-40's that say Vaquero i assume this is old model ?
so i read some were that you can change out the cly only & shoot 44 mags
so why not just load 44-40 to 44 mag power level ?
anyone looked in to this idea?

[Christopher Carson]

i have a pair of 44-40's that say Vaquero i assume this is old model ?
so i read some were that you can change out the cly only & shoot 44 mags
so why not just load 44-40 to 44 mag power level ?
anyone looked in to this idea?

The .44 WCF (.44-40) case isn't as strong as the .44 Rem Mag case... and the case itself -- not just the revolver -- does some of the work of containing the pressure when fired.

I suspect you could conceivably hot-rod the .44-40 a bit in a Ruger old model (original) Vaquero, but that'd be a question for the real ballisticians.

And it may come down to what you're trying to accomplish.  If you really need to shoot something that really needs a .44 Mag, then you probably need a new gun (or cylinder).  OTOH, the .44-40 can be plenty for lots o' "targets," depending.

-Chris

[Shotgun Franklin]

With modern loads the .44-40 is no slouch. I guess it depends on what, or why, who want a load hotter that the .44-40. With slow powder, 2400 or H110, and mag primers you could likely get a load uncomfortable to shoot. For very many years I carried an S&W M-29 as a duty gun. I found that lighter than full power loads were easier on me and worked fine. I guess I'm not entirely answering your question except that I don't see the point of hot rodding what's a pretty good round.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I have a pair of them.  I concur in the advice NOT TO HOTROD the .44-40!  Its the cases.

A full load of black will give a 213gr RCBS 44-200-FP about 900fps in a 5.5" bbl.  Any smokeless load you find in a manual that stays in the same area would be OK.

At one time I enquired at Bowen, and they had some spare .44 Mag Blackhawk cylinders that they were prepared to fit for me.  Border controls between Canada & the Land of the Free were tightening up and I couldn't risk sending the guns South.  It might be worth a call to the custom trade to see if such a deal is still possible.  BTW, Ruger did not want to sell spare cylinders!

[Buffalow Red]

i was looking in an old reloading manuel & found loads for 92 rifle , i think it was over 20 gr ,useing 2400 powder with over 1900 fpc
this is hotter than i was thinking for hog hunting & CCW

[Shotgun Franklin]

You for sure don't need a mag load for SASS and if you hit a pig in a good spot with a 200 gr bullet at about 900 fps you'll have pork in the freezer easy.

[Pettifogger]

i was looking in an old reloading manuel & found loads for 92 rifle , i think it was over 20 gr ,useing 2400 powder with over 1900 fpc
this is hotter than i was thinking for hog hunting & CCW

Just a word of caution.  Your revolver is NOT a 92 rifle.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

i was looking in an old reloading manuel & found loads for 92 rifle , i think it was over 20 gr ,useing 2400 powder with over 1900 fpc
this is hotter than i was thinking for hog hunting & CCW

Even at that, case life was sometimes two rounds, or so I was told.  Please check, as recommendations are much lower now.

[Cliff Fendley]

I know Rugers are tough, I love my Rugers, but people hot rod the 45 colt to 44 mag power levels and it's not wise, there are warnings about it because of the thinner case. Doing this to a 44wcf would be even worse. It just doesn't make sense today when guns are available for more powerful calibers.

Your better to buy a 44 mag and if someone wants to hot rod a 45 colt buy a 454. If you want more you can get a 460, 500, and there's always the 475 and 480 in there.

Why risk injury or your gun by running something dangerous through it?

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

I know Rugers are tough, I love my Rugers, but people hot rod the 45 colt to 44 mag power levels and it's not wise, there are warnings about it because of the thinner case. Doing this to a 44wcf would be even worse. It just doesn't make sense today when guns are available for more powerful calibers.

Your better to buy a 44 mag and if someone wants to hot rod a 45 colt buy a 454. If you want more you can get a 460, 500, and there's always the 475 and 480 in there.

Why risk injury or your gun by running something dangerous through it?

  +1    I totally agree, why tear up a good gun, when you don't have too, not to mention the safety issues, I have several guns for different uses, plus this allows one to acquire more guns 

                tEN wOLVES 

[Buffalow Red]

ok now im confused
i was told that getting a 44mag cly for this gun would make it a 44 mag
so are you saying the problem isin the brass. i can see that
thanks

[Cliff Fendley]

You could get a 44 mag cylinder and shoot the 44 specials and 44 mags in it. Use the 44-40 cylinder just for 44-40. Don't hot rod the 44-40, the brass can't take it.

[Cliff Fendley]

I would just use it as an excuse to buy another gun and just get a 44 mag