.428 Bullets for .44 Spl/Magnum

[Dump1567]

I just picked-up a S&W 629 (.44 Magnum). I am set-up for reloading .44 spl/mag & already have cases. I also reload for .44-40 using 200 gr. lead .428 diameter bullets. I'm assuming I could use these same bullets to load .44 spl/Magnum for my 629?
Thanks.

 

[Carrier]

Guess you could try but that going to be a tad small especially for lead bullets.

 

[rockquarry]

Probably won't work well, but try them as there are always exceptions.
I size all .44 bullets to .431" or .432".

 

[Dump1567]

Probably won't work well, buy try them as there are always exceptions.
I size all .44 bullets to .431" or .432".

I already have a box of these bullets. That's why I was wondering.

 

[SLT223]

I think you will likely get the worst leading you've ever seen.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Not exactly the same scenario as the OP describes, but I load .44-40 for my 1905 production Marlin rifle and my 1914 Colt SAA. The Colt need .427" bullets (and I have no intention of overly straining a 105-year old Colt). The Marlin has a groove diameter of .430".

My solution for ammo that can be used in either gun is using cast .427" bullets of fairly soft alloy. This keeps the strain on the Colt to a minimum. The Marlin shoots these pretty well (2.5" groups at 50 yards), so I am assuming that the bullets are "bumped up" upon firing and engaging the rifling sufficiently.

I would not be surprised to hear that your 629 handles the .428" bullets pretty well. Not the ideal combination for gilt-edged accuracy, but should be just fine for casual shooting.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have tried it just for fun, to see what happened. The results were less than satisfactory. (I also had the bullets laying around, so I gave it a try.)

 

[mikld]

Unless you are casting and can melt them down, and you already have a 44-40, I would suggest just getting some .429" jacketed or .431" cast. My 629 has .4305"-.431" throats and unless the .428 bullets are really soft, I would get terrible leading...

 

[Dump1567]

Thanks for the info. I also have some .429 jacketed I can use. Just wanted to know if my .428's were an option.

 

[keith44spl]

Those .428 lead bullets will upset enough when engaging the taper
in the forcing cone to shoot reasonably well.
Especially if they are hollow base. I would think.

.

 

[trapper9260]

I would not use them .428 in the 44 spl/mag cast or lead .For jacket for the 2 you need .429 and for cast .430 or .431 . If the .428 is the right size for you 44-40 pull the bullets and load them for that .Also slug both guns and see what it come to.

 

[gwpercle]

If they are hard cast lead you might get a bit o leading ...But , if they are soft cast or soft swaged lead they might slug up and work.
Not all lead is equal in hardness and harness makes a huge difference.

Elmer Keith suggested a alloy of 1 part tin to 15 parts lead for heavy revolver loads... that's not a hard bullet .
For normal pressure loads it was 1 part tin to 20 parts lead !
Gary

 

[Qc Pistolero]

Definitely on the small size.Like mentionned above,loading these in .44 Spl or Mag guns will probably buy you half an hour of scrubbing fun.It'll do a beautiful job of leading your barrel all the way from the forcing cone.
I wouldn't do it.

 

[diyj98]

They may shoot fine. You just never know till you try. I had a Ruger 45 Colt that shot best with lead bullets sized to .450, not the .452 you'd expect. I never pushed them to magnum velocities, but they didn't seem to lead the barrel any worse than larger "correct" sized bullets.

 

[6string]

Honestly, I never understand the "quickie" mindset.
Even when running my Dillon 650 progressive press, I am fastidious about details. When you factor in the time to assemble your reloads, the time to drive to the range, clean up, prep work for your nest loading, not to mention the cost of components,
why not just use the right bullet? Isn't worth it just to get decent, tight groups?

Heck, I often don't mix ammo for firearms of the same cartridge! Properly label this batch of .38 for one revolver, label another batch for another. The difference might just be the weight of the bullet or (more likely) a .001" difference in cast bullet diameter.

For me, it makes a difference. For others, I will acquiesce, it might sound like a waste of time.

For years, I labored under the commonly assumed nonsense that "for 44 mag or 44 special, you use .429" jacketed or .430" for lead". Turns out, most of the 44s I've used need .432" +/- .001" to get their best results on target. (Not to mention alleviating the leading clean up headache once I got home!).
Once I did that, I happily kissed 44 cal jacketed bullets Bye-Bye!

Elsewhere on this forum, a member is looking into obtaining and fitting a new cylinder for his S&W 1917 because the throats are oversize. Turns out he already owns a mold for 45. The easy solution to his woes is to use a different alloy so he drops slugs of the right diameter. If buying a second mold is too much of a hassle or expense, "why oh why" would getting/fitting a second cylinder make sense?

But, I digress....

Best Regards and Sincere Respect,
Jim

PS: "Three Cheers" to you for reloading the grand old 44-40!!
And, THANKS for your service as a LEO!!!

 

[Dump1567]

Thanks again for the info. I got the idea from John Taffin's article on the .44 special. And don't they make dual cylinder guns for SAA in 44-40 & .44 spl. (although not a S&W).

I already have the plated .429 bullets I've been using, but one day I may dip into the .428's and give them a try in a cowboy load.

http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt44spec.htm

Reloading for the .44 Special is the same as any other straight-walled revolver cartridge with one minor glitch. Sixguns chambered for the Special cartridge come with barrel groove diameters as small as .426" and as large as .430". If the chamber mouths are also sized accordingly, that is, tight when mated with .426-428" barrels and larger with the barrels that mike out at .430" or more, then the best accuracy is delivered with bullets sized accordingly. I have pretty much standardized at .428" and .430" diameters when sizing cast bullets for the .44 Special. My dies are RCBS and I have an extra expander button that has been turned smaller for use with the .428" bullets.

PS: "Three Cheers" to you for reloading the grand old 44-40!!

I had a Colt SAA a few years back in 44-40 I reloaded for. Foolishly sold it, but had all the dies/components still. Just last week, I came across a decent ASM built EMF imported 44-40 for $325 OTD. So I'm back in the 44-40 reloading game. I also load 38-40.