Ammo for Conversions

Pappy Hayes · January 14, 2022, 05:10:58 PM

Haven't been here for a while. Not made any cowboy shoots in a while either. What has happened to the 44 ammo for our conversions and open tops? I have plenty of brass for reloads if I could find the needed supplies to even reload.

Abilene · January 14, 2022, 05:33:55 PM

Howdy Pappy. Same thing is happening to everybody. NO PRIMERS. Well, yeah, there are some that show up but quite expensive. And the lowest price from big box stores when they get it is near double pre-pandemic prices and won't be coming down. Oh well. Bullets and powders are still pretty easy to find, with plenty of choices if your favorite isn't around.

Tuolumne Lawman · January 14, 2022, 05:34:01 PM

I work part time in a local gun shop. Since the pandemic hit in 2020, all .44 ammo is non-existent, especially .44 Colt and Russian. Gunbroker is your only source for ammo. Primers and powder are non existent, also, and in Commiefornia, even brass and bullets almost impossible to find. Cowboy lead bullets are easier to find than most, though.

Pappy Hayes · January 14, 2022, 08:08:38 PM

What size of bullet is used?

Abilene · January 14, 2022, 09:22:17 PM

Assuming you are talking smokeless. Which .44? Russian / Colt / Special? Although the same bullets will work in all. I used to use 220gr or 240gr bullets for rifle in 44 Special, and 200gr bullets for less recoil in .44 Spcl pistols. These days I'm loading 180gr bullets for both BP and smokeless in 44 Russian and Special, because I got a bunch of them and again, lighter bullets recoil less. They should be sized .429 or .430.

Tuolumne Lawman · January 14, 2022, 11:18:19 PM

When I had Open Tops in .44 Colt/Russian, I loaded 200 grain .428" in those cases and my .44-40 for my Henry. Accuracy was as good as the .429/.430 bullets, and it was easy to buy just one for both rifle and bullet.

Coffinmaker · January 15, 2022, 10:02:40 AM

You Betcha Red Ryder

PLUS ONE for all the guys above. Only different thing I can add, I prefer a 165Gr RNFP which I source from Bullets by Scarlett, Missouri Bullet Company or Badman Bullets.

Along with ALL the "other" components, your favorite bullets may also be in short supply. Pretty much sux all round. Good Luck

Play Safe Out There

PS: ALMOST forgot. Your headline question > My preferred propellant for cartridge conversions is APP 3F.

River City John · January 15, 2022, 10:05:21 AM

Let me add Matt's Bullets as a resource, too.
https://www.mattsbullets.com

Pappy Hayes · January 15, 2022, 06:52:22 PM

I usually shoot 44 colt or Russian in my conversions with my 1866 Yellow Boy in 44-40. Since the colt and Russian are not available been thinking about 44 special but thinking it would be too much power.

Abilene · January 15, 2022, 07:47:51 PM

44 Special is easy on the conversions (depending on how you load it, of course). In my 1860 Type II, my smokeless 44 Spcl reloads with 180gr bullets are milder shooting than factory Black Hills 44 Russian with 210gr bullet.

DeaconKC · January 15, 2022, 07:53:20 PM

If any of you need some 44 Colt, my LGS has 3 or 4 boxes. 501-362-7000

Pappy Hayes · January 22, 2022, 10:51:03 PM

Do you use hard cast lead bullets? Will .430 work? Seems like I see it more then .429. What is Black Hi-Tek coating and can it be used in cowboy guns?

Coffinmaker · January 23, 2022, 09:04:42 AM

Hi Again Pappy

I can only answer part of your question. I do know the Hi Tech coating used is some form of Polymer. I also shoot Polymer coated bullets in my handguns and Rifle. I use APP 3F exclusively as it doesn't require any form of lubrication.

In current production .44s, the manufacturers have settled on a modern industry standard of .429" For a .429 bore, a .430 Bullet is optimum and Hard Cast bullets work quite well.

Almost forgot, I use to chide my fellow shooters about "Lipstick" bullets (red) and then I started shooting lipsticks myself. Coated bullets work quite well in cowboy guns. With a CAVEAT: Not so Bueno with BP.