44 Russian ammo question...

[Warren Sear]

There are not a great many obsolete or scarce CF and metric calibers that cannot be duplicated by re-forming more common and available brass. It may be difficult to do but it can be done. For example, the .45 Auto Rim case can be converted to .476.

45 Colt cases can be shortened and the rims thinned, and will work for this series of cartridges also.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

A big "Thank you" to all for responding to my question...I appreciate this...Roger

Roger, it was a great topic, Sarge.

 

[Richard93]

As for the 44-40, can I get it from the 44 mag case?

 

[desi2358]

As for the 44-40, can I get it from the 44 mag case?

Not really. I have loaded for both over the years. The 44 Magnum is a straight walled case developed from the 44 Special. The 44-40 is a tapered (bottle necked case) designed for easy feeding in its original platform the 1873 Winchester. Head diameter is slightly different and the 44-40 tends to have a very thin walled mouth, easily damaged if you're a bit careless when reloading. Better to buy the correct brass than try to rework the Magnum cases.

 

[DWalt]

Not really. I have loaded for both over the years. The 44 Magnum is a straight walled case developed from the 44 Special. The 44-40 is a tapered (bottle necked case) designed for easy feeding in its original platform the 1873 Winchester. Head diameter is slightly different and the 44-40 tends to have a very thin walled mouth, easily damaged if you're a bit careless when reloading. Better to buy the correct brass than try to rework the Magnum cases.

You can form .44-40 cases from.45 Colt brass, but I’d think it would not be very difficult to obtain factory .44-40 brass. I once converted some .38-40 brass cases that I had no need for to .45 Colt.

 

[HKSmith]

Repeat - when I saw those 4 Revolvers - West Memphis Pawnshop- 2 Colt Flattop Bisleys and 2 Smiths - in a fitted case, London Address-
Not only was the price a problem - it was the caliber!
476 Eley.
Got any? Ever seen any?

I've never seen any .476 Eley (Webley) cartridges. However, it was originally a black powder cartridge that used a .455 inch bullet; the case was slightly longer than the .455 Webley (Eley) case. Therefore, the .455 Webley (currently available as loaded ammo from Fiocchi and as empty cases from Starline) can be used in .476 revolvers assuming the gun is in shootable condition. The naming of obsolescent big bore British revolver cartridges is very confusing, but many of them are interchangeable.

I reload the .455 Webley cartridge for a WW I S&W for about 80% less than the cost of loaded ammunition and I don't have to worry about availability.

 

[unspellable]

From what I know the 44 mag comes from the 44 special which comes from the 44 Russian which comes from the 44 American and all of these can be chambered in the 44 mag. The 44 mag can be shot in the 445 super mag.

44 American has a heeled bullet of larger case diameter.

44 Special has only a very slight edge on 44 Russian in nominal loads. Individual factory variations are probably larger than the nominal difference. I would not buy 44 Russian on the grounds it has less recoil.