substitute for 44-40 ammo??

Froogal · February 03, 2022, 03:24:07 PM

I may have an opportunity to acquire a lever rifle chambered in 44-40 but there does not yet seem to be any 44-40 brass available. Just curious if there might be a different .44 cartridge that would still function in this rifle?

I have my doubts, but I'm asking anyway.

Mogorilla · February 03, 2022, 04:41:42 PM

Froogal, not that i know of, but wiser minds might know. If you get if, and are going to the convention pm me. I might be able to help with some brass

LongWalker · February 03, 2022, 06:35:03 PM

No reasonable substitutes*, but brass is available on Gunbroker.

*There are "unreasonable" substitutes, but the cost is higher than the stuff listed on Gunbroker.

Abilene · February 03, 2022, 06:52:33 PM

Every time lately that I've heard of someone posting a "Want To Buy" for various calibers of used brass, someone comes along that has what they need. Maybe not 500, but plenty to get started. If the gun is what you want, buy it!

Cap'n Redneck · February 04, 2022, 04:32:15 AM

The only substitute brass I can think of that would be worth trying is .38-40. (.38WCF)

The .40"-caliber necks would have to be annealed and fireformed or expanded to .428".
I guess the risk of split necks and/or crumpled necks would be high...

You're probably better off searching for .44-40 brass on Gunbroker etc.

Froogal · February 04, 2022, 08:20:54 AM

Thanks guys. Only reason for me wanting a 44-40 is that it is more "period correct" than the .45 Colt I have now. I have PLENTY of .45 Colt, so I guess I am not in any big hurry to make the switch.

Coffinmaker · February 04, 2022, 09:11:17 AM

Froogal

First a CAVEAT: I fervently wish the creation who first put fourth the term "Period Correct" had been struck tongue tied prior to the utterance.

Second CAVEAT: Ain't no real substitute in a 44-40 for a 44-40 cartridge. A 44-40 is what it is.

So stop worrying and learn to love the Bomb (stolen famous movie title). With a little annealing, 45 Colt (atz all I shoot) will run just as clean as any "dash" caliber. I know that isn't your primary concern, but when stuck with cake mix - make cake.

Avoid People - They Be Hazardous to Yer Health

Cliff Fendley · February 04, 2022, 10:45:59 PM

Quote from: Froogal on February 04, 2022, 08:20:54 AM
Thanks guys. Only reason for me wanting a 44-40 is that it is more "period correct" than the .45 Colt I have now. I have PLENTY of .45 Colt, so I guess I am not in any big hurry to make the switch.

You'll probably find when you finally do make the switch asking yourself why you didn't do it much sooner. I have had 45 rifles but none now and never care to own one again. All original WCF calibers for me. They run cleaner and smoother and as you say, are authentic in the rifles we are shooting.

All that said, if it's a deal don't pass it up for fear of not finding brass. There is a lot of 44-40 brass around and I've seen people selling it just recently on other forums for fair prices. I'm sure someone on this board might even have some.

Yuma Kid · February 05, 2022, 04:12:09 PM

Jerry,
Go ahead and get it. If you can't find brass I can fix you up with 200 or 300 (or maybe more) fired brass to get you going.
Yuma

ira scott · February 05, 2022, 09:17:42 PM

Quote from: Yuma Kid on February 05, 2022, 04:12:09 PM
Jerry,
Go ahead and get it. If you can't find brass I can fix you up with 200 or 300 (or maybe more) fired brass to get you going.
Yuma

Makes a Fella proud to be a member of yur Posse Yuma, way to step up!

B.N. Scotty

44caliberkid · February 14, 2022, 11:54:18 AM

I recently had to search for brass for a new weapon. I did a search on bing.com (hate google, won't use it). Put in "44-40 brass for sale" A lot of little companies I'd never heard of came up and I was able to get what I wanted.

Abilene · February 14, 2022, 01:50:26 PM

Quote from: 44caliberkid on February 14, 2022, 11:54:18 AM
I recently had to search for brass for a new weapon. I did a search on bing.com (hate google, won't use it). Put in "44-40 brass for sale" A lot of little companies I'd never heard of came up and I was able to get what I wanted.

There are a lot of new scammers out there, but they are mostly hyping primers and powder and not 44-40 brass.

Pretty easy to spot since they accept only Zelle and Paypal and no credit cards. What brand of brass did you find?

Baltimore Ed · February 14, 2022, 02:35:16 PM

Just out of curiosity but has anybody tried resizing 45colt brass in their 44-40 dies? A lot would depend on how tight your rifles chamber was as 38-40 and 44-40 brass has thinner walls than 45colt. The resized mty brass might fit but not after a bullet is seated. I've read of guys using blown out .44-40 in a 45colt to seal the chamber when using black powder. Thinking out loud.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · February 14, 2022, 03:23:40 PM

Many years ago, when I got my first OMV, i tried it but the base of the 45 Colt was too big. I don't know what might have changed in 30 years?

LongWalker · February 14, 2022, 06:25:21 PM

Quote from: Baltimore Ed on February 14, 2022, 02:35:16 PM
Just out of curiosity but has anybody tried resizing 45colt brass in their 44-40 dies? A lot would depend on how tight your rifles chamber was as 38-40 and 44-40 brass has thinner walls than 45colt. The resized mty brass might fit but not after a bullet is seated. I've read of guys using blown out .44-40 in a 45colt to seal the chamber when using black powder. Thinking out loud.

That's one of my "unreasonable substitutions". For my gun (a late 1890s-vintage '73) I had to swage case heads and do a bit of rim work.