Case mouth (or bullet cleaning band) hanging up while entering chamber

[mehavey]

`Got a new Taylor/Commanchero'd/Uberti 1873 in 44-40 the other day (to go w/ my other 1873 in 357Mag)

The older 357 loads straight in like dream -- fast/slow smooth as glass.  The new 44-40, however, tends to hang up on the case mouth (or bullet leading edge) if I  try to load slowly.  This happens on both the Lyman 427098 and the SAECO #446 ...and I've made sure to seat to OAL spec's in both cases.

"Perfecting" the crimp helps, and quick cycling of the action does tend to alleviate the problem, but....

In general do folks find this to be a problem with the elevator not rising far enough ? (though it appears to match the 357's rise)
Or rather because the 44-40's chamber edges are sharper than a hound's tooth and would catch just about anything ?

[jimbobborg]

I have not had this problem with my 1860 in 44-40.  I have not used those particular bullets, though.  I've used 165gr and 200gr bullets from Badman Bullets if you want to see an example.

[Pettifogger]

The .44-40 is a tapered/necked case.  It feeds smoother and easier than a .357.  .44-40 bullets have a crimping groove.  If your rounds are hanging up on sharp edges you are doing something wrong in your loading process.  A couple of CLEAR closeup photos might help.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Try the LEE collet factory crimp die

[mehavey]

Finished dimensions (especially in neck/mouth area) are SAAMI spec.
It passes the classic "plunk" test dropping freely into chamber.
If I didn't know better ( ) I'd say the cartridge enters the chamber w/ the nose down instead of level

[wildman1]

Smooth the back edge of the chamber OR get a bullet that doesn't have that ridge on it right in front of the case. wM1

[Cliff Fendley]

Get a different more traditional looking bullet without the wadcutter style lip on it.

[Pettifogger]

Go here and look at the bullet shapes.  This article is for Lightnings, but you want the same bullet shape for your .44-40.  There should be no lip at the front of the case.  There should be a smooth transition from the bullet to the case neck.


http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/supporto-dettaglio.asp/l_en/idsu_7/recomandations-for-the-proper-ammunition-to-load-in-the-pedersoli.html

[mehavey]

Actually, I'm casting/running four different bullets:
- The original classic 44-40 bullet: LYMAN-427-098
- The slightly blunter classic: LYMAN-427-666
- The bluntest classic: RCBS 44-200-CM
   (all three of which are clean nose designs)
- and the "Other" supposed 44-40 favorite: SAECO's #446 (which has the slight cleaning band ahead of the crimp)

ALL of which will have a ever-so-slight hang-up if pushed sloooowly into the chamber.
Only the SAECO will occasionally hang at the mouth --but even that will go if the action is cycled with deliberate speed.

I was just wondering if anyone else had the 44-40 hesitate/hang on slow push, which is so much unlike my 357... ?

[wildman1]

Smooth the back edge of the chamber. wM1

wM1

[mehavey]

Smooth...

Roger that.
Any preferred tools that can get into that limited space at the proper angle ?

[mehavey]

OK....  while having the tang drilled/tapped for a Lyman#2, I had Sandy Garrett
(NoVaGunWorks) smooth out/polish the abrupt chamber edge. 

As Sandy warned, I can still make it slightly catch on the forward cleaning-
band of the SAECO's #446, but now I gotta really work hard to do it. 
Very smooth......

[QueensHorseman]

Glad that you have worked it out. The 427098 pretty much duplicates the original bullet profile and should feed slick as snot in any .44wcf firearm that is within spec.  Problems are usually attributed to our sizing / crimping adjustments but sometimes a little tweaking to the gun it self is required.  Thanks for the great pictures and posting how you resolved the issue.  Shoot safe and enjoy your .44! 

[jimbobborg]

OK....  while having the tang drilled/tapped for a Lyman#2, I had Sandy Garrett
(NoVaGunWorks) smooth out/polish the abrupt chamber edge. 

Sandy is still in business?

[mehavey]

Still in business..., still as irascible as ever..., and still the only gunsmith I've trusted with absolute faith over the past 15 years.   

As to feed/work now -- everything feeds.  But my "re"discovery of SAECO's #420 classic truncated-cone bullet design (whose little brother is the most accurate in my 1873 in 357 -- and a duplicate of BlackHills 357 Cowboy even down to the W321 powder) -- now feeds like water.....

And it's OK downrange too: