Thread: 44-40 Reloading/Shooting

Originally Posted by Jhon

Re reading this thread and I realise @shooternz that I mis-understood which bullet you were referring to. Thought you were asking after the Lyman 429-244. Here is picture of the Hawke Targets

Attachment 179609

I started drilling the noses of some to HP them but put it aside waiting for a suitable hobby vice to arrive from Ali to hold them etc. That was before lockdown and moving so cant access them at the moment. This image is from the Delta Mike Website.

I've just loaded a bunch of these projectiles up in 44-40 and will probably sort a few more out tonight. Going to the range Sunday so will let you know how I got on. Did notice I needed quite a bit of a flare in the case to get these started.
Based on Arthur's posts I've given then a rather solid crimp.
Hard to go wrong for the price I felt; 400 for 120 odd dollars or something.

I haven't added any lube as the coating seems quite slick and extra seems superfluous.

Originally Posted by Makros

I've just loaded a bunch of these projectiles up in 44-40 and will probably sort a few more out tonight. Going to the range Sunday so will let you know how I got on. Did notice I needed quite a bit of a flare in the case to get these started.
Based on Arthur's posts I've given then a rather solid crimp.
Hard to go wrong for the price I felt; 400 for 120 odd dollars or something.

I haven't added any lube as the coating seems quite slick and extra seems superfluous.

Slight follow up. Don't try and reduce the flare. Do a good amount to the point the base of the bullet can be comfortably placed on top. Pain in the arse to have less. I ended up going back to the flaring die after seating a couple.

I also ended up seating them in maybe 1mm and the coming back down and rechecking the bullets are straight and then tweaking them if not before seating them home.

Originally Posted by Makros

Slight follow up. Don't try and reduce the flare. Do a good amount to the point the base of the bullet can be comfortably placed on top. Pain in the arse to have less. I ended up going back to the flaring die after seating a couple.

I also ended up seating them in maybe 1mm and the coming back down and rechecking the bullets are straight and then tweaking them if not before seating them home.

turn case in die and continue seating does same thing...I do it for all my loads,with .45/70 and cast,will turn it a couple of times as it goes progressively deeper...seems to work ok.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

turn case in die and continue seating does same thing...I do it for all my loads,with .45/70 and cast,will turn it a couple of times as it goes progressively deeper...seems to work ok.

Yes I do the same once its started in the flare, do it with factory jacketed in all rifle calibres actually, helps wjth concentricity.

Originally Posted by Makros

I've just loaded a bunch of these projectiles up in 44-40 and will probably sort a few more out tonight. Going to the range Sunday so will let you know how I got on. Did notice I needed quite a bit of a flare in the case to get these started.
Based on Arthur's posts I've given then a rather solid crimp.
Hard to go wrong for the price I felt; 400 for 120 odd dollars or something.

I haven't added any lube as the coating seems quite slick and extra seems superfluous.

I've long used the 158gn round and conical flat point in my 357mag. No lube is required with powder coated on any projectile. Would defeat the purpose of powder coating. Agree these are nice and slick.

The 158gn 357 are deadly on goats. I prefer the flat point as it cuts a better wound channel but the round nose is very effective and what I had first to use - same looking projectile, different manufacturer. I've never recovered one but I suspect they are soft enough to deform well.

And yes, the price is hard to beat plus the RiverHawkes are a very uniform bullet. And with the 44 cal you do have to flare enough to seat them easily. Upside is there is a tad more grip from neck tension. I also took Arthur McBrides advice, loaded AR2207 to slightly compress, about 26gn, and crimped hard with a Lee FCD

I have not been able to get mine to the range in 44-40 to test yet so will hear your results with great interest. Cheers J.