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General Black Powder => Ask The Experts => Topic started by: walkermeade on February 13, 2018, 11:45:17 AM

Title: 44-40 vs 45 colt.
Post by: walkermeade on February 13, 2018, 11:45:17 AM

Got a question. in regards to 44-40 or 45 colt which one is cheaper/easier to get? also which is easiest to reload?

Thanks!

hop this is the right forum for this  ???

Title: Re: 44-40 vs 45 colt.
Post by: Captainkirk on February 13, 2018, 12:29:05 PM

.45 Colt in both regards.

Title: Re: 44-40 vs 45 colt.
Post by: mike116 on February 13, 2018, 12:35:40 PM

I load both,  45 Colt brass is a little less expensive than 44 WCF and also a little easier to find.   I've never had any problems finding 44 WCF except once in a while a supplier will run out.   
Some guys complain that 44 WCF is harder to load but I have had no problems with it at all.    Starline  44 WCF brass has a little thicker wall than other brands so I have heard claims that Starline is the way to go if you want to avoid the collapsed cases that seem to be the biggest complaint about loading 44 WCF.    I also think the ones complaining about loading 44 WCF are trying do it on a progressive press as fast as they can pull the lever.

Title: Re: 44-40 vs 45 colt.
Post by: walkermeade on February 13, 2018, 12:38:00 PM

Quote from: mike116 on February 13, 2018, 12:35:40 PM

I load both,  45 Colt brass is a little less expensive than 44 WCF and also a little easier to find.   I've never had any problems finding 44 WCF except once in a while a supplier will run out.   
Some guys complain that 44 WCF is harder to load but I have had no problems with it at all.    Starline  44 WCF brass has a little thicker wall than other brands so I have heard claims that Starline is the way to go if you want to avoid the collapsed cases that seem to be the biggest complaint about loading 44 WCF.    I also think the ones complaining about loading 44 WCF are trying do it on a progressive press as fast as they can pull the lever.

thanks for the input

Title: Re: 44-40 vs 45 colt.
Post by: walkermeade on February 13, 2018, 12:38:32 PM

Quote from: Captainkirk on February 13, 2018, 12:29:05 PM

.45 Colt in both regards.

Thanks!

Title: Re: 44-40 vs 45 colt.
Post by: Hawg on February 13, 2018, 06:01:59 PM

My preference is 44-40. You can run into difficulty if you use dies other than RCBS cowboy dies. I like it because it is an original chambering in both 73 Winchester rifles and 73 Colt revolvers. The 45 Colt was only an original chambering in the revolvers. Ballistically they're about the same with the 44-40 running a 200 grain bullet and the 45 running a 250 grain bullet. I use Starline brass.

Title: Re: 44-40 vs 45 colt.
Post by: mazo kid on February 17, 2018, 11:43:34 AM

I like them both; that said, I can load 45 Colt much faster. You need to pay attention reloading the 44-40 as the necks are thin and easier to collapse (I don't have any Starline brass in 44-40). I also use my original Winchester mold and loading tool a lot when loading this round.

Title: Re: 44-40 vs 45 colt.
Post by: Mad Dog Stafford on February 17, 2018, 01:56:04 PM

To me, .45LC is easyer for me to get and reload.  L@.

Title: Re: 44-40 vs 45 colt.
Post by: HAWKEN50 on February 17, 2018, 03:29:56 PM

The thin case mouth and slight bottleneck is what make the 44-40 better with blackpowder. seals the chamber on a rifle better than the 45 colt,

Title: Re: 44-40 vs 45 colt.
Post by: Hawg on February 17, 2018, 06:23:09 PM

Quote from: HAWKEN50 on February 17, 2018, 03:29:56 PM

The thin case mouth and slight bottleneck is what make the 44-40 better with blackpowder. seals the chamber on a rifle better than the 45 colt,

That it does. I leave an empty case in the chamber when I clean the bore and don't have much if any powder fouling in the chamber. You just have to eject the empty with the rifle upside down.