44-40 Trim Pilot Question

[MikeM.]

I just got a good deal on a Hornady case trimmer and was wondering if anybody on here could tell me what # Hornady pilot fits 44-40 .427 the best so I can order one ? Can anybody help me out ??

[Trailrider]

It will depend on what diameter bullet you intend to use. Since you will probably trim after sizing, but before expanding, a .427" will probably work okay, even if you are going to use .430" bullets.

[MikeM.]

I am going to use a .427 Bullet . I may have to modify a #18 which is a .429 pilot. That is as close as Hornady makes to a .427. Lyman makes a .427 pilot but I think you have to use Hornady stuff .

[Isom]

Not sure , but I think the tips will interchange between brands. Don't know anyone that bothers to trim 44-40's though. If so, not many.
Isom

[MikeM.]

Understand that too but most of my brass is a mixture of starline and 3D and there is a difference. I want my crimps to be uniform

[Isom]

Just a thought,,, like Trailrider said,,, resize them all,,, that should bring them all down to .427 ,, trim them ,,, then expand to whatever size bullet you're using. Went through the same thing with 32-20 a few years ago. I had about 40 yrs. worth of brass that I'd saved up. 5-6 different headstamps ,, 5-6 different case lengths , only about 500 cases. Starline was the shortest, trimmed them all to it. In like Flynn !
Isom

[Bryan Austin]

I am going to use a .427 Bullet . I may have to modify a #18 which is a .429 pilot. That is as close as Hornady makes to a .427. Lyman makes a .427 pilot but I think you have to use Hornady stuff .

The bullet diameter has nothing to do with case trimming.

The Pilot has everything to do with the resizing die measurements. The Hornady #18/.429 would match up with an RCBS 44-40 "Cowboy" resizing die which was designed for over sized bullets (.429). The 44-40 Lee resizing die resizes back down for .426/7 bullets which in that case you would need a .427 pilot. Also different brass has different neck thickness. Thinner brass is a little more forgiving when trying to force a "427 neck" onto a .429 pilot"

44-40 - .425 to .427
44 Special - .429
44 Magnum - .430

[Montana Slim]

While I don't precision trim my 44-40, I do use a Lee trimmer & pilot to smooth up case mouths. Much of my brass is 20+ yrs old & likely has 20 - 30 firings. Over this time the mouths get a bit rough.

I also have a Foster trimmer, while not using on these 44-40s,  I note that standard "44" pilots are a tad large for a resized case. Very simple solution is to spin the pilot in a drill while holding emory paper to polish it until satisfied.

Regards,
Slim

[Roscoe]

I just got a good deal on a Hornady case trimmer and was wondering if anybody on here could tell me what # Hornady pilot fits 44-40 .427 the best so I can order one ? Can anybody help me out ??

Pilot #18 works very well, but it will need to be used on fire-formed brass or new brass that has been sized and then run on the expander set for no flare.

pilot .423
RCBS 428 Cowboy expander insert .4265
RCBS 430 Cowboy expander insert .430 (or thereabouts. I don't want to take it apart).