[biku324]

While digging through my library of new and old reloading data to get the best possible picture of 44-40 suggested loads, I came across something that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

Lyman's 49th Reloading Manual shows 20 grains of 2400 behind a 200 grain jacketed bullet for 1600 fps out of a 24" barreled (strong action) rifle @ 19,000 CUP - their 45th Edition from the early 70s shows 27.5 grains (!!) of 2400 behind a 200 grain jacketed bullet for over 2,000 fps in the 'Obsolete Calibers' section! Holy crap! That's quite a difference!

Don't believe I'll try that load in my 44-40 Smith revolver. . .

 

[janott]

In the note above the reloading data it also says these loads should not be used in handguns or rifles which were designed for black powder. For hand gun loads see pistol section in this handbook.

The test firearm was a Winchester model 92.

 

[biku324]

Yep; that's still a pretty stout load for a '92 (or a Marlin '94) by today's standards - maybe 30,000-35,000 CUP, do you think?

 

[Wind]

Hey there biku324 -- In the rifle section of the 44th edition, the range is 24 grains to 27.5 grains with the 200 grain jacketed bullet. The pistol section shows just Bullseye and Unique for powder. You're right -- It would be better not to shoot them in a pistol. Best regards. Wind

 

[janott]

When reloading it is best to have several manuals to compare data when reloading and then if you have doubt in a load in a book you can compare with another.

 

[JBledsoe]

.

Older manuals usually have stronger loads because we/they didn't know any better. Now that we have more sophisticated test equipment we know that some of the old loads were beyond the limits of safety. Lawyers get blamed for it, which they deserve, but it is not lawyers.

 

[biku324]

I am just amazed - if the rifle would safely handle these loads they would be in excess of many 35 Remington factory loads! Wow!

You just have to wonder how many used rifles you see on intenet sites have been 'tested' with these kinds of loads. . .

 

[FredT]

Ken Waters stated in some of his works to forget those older 2400 loads of yesteryear. The brass is too thin and the loads are too hot. If you want .44 Mag performance, get a .44 Mag.

I tend to agree with ol' Ken.

 

[biku324]

Sure makes sense to me!