45 LC versus 44-40

Zeb Kingsford · June 14, 2008, 09:28 AM

Hello everyone. I got a question. What is the overall best rifle cartridge?
The 45 Long Colt or the 44-40. I know the 44-40 is the most historic caliber and I don't think the ballastics or that much different.
Is the 44-40 hard to reload and can a 1860 Cap & Ball pistol be converted to the 44-40?
Thanks

rogertc1 · June 14, 2008, 09:51 AM

**

Hawg · June 14, 2008, 10:11 AM

44-40 cases are thin. They take a little more care to reload but they're not bad. If you shoot bp 44-40 is best. The thin case expands to keep fouling out of the action. As was stated .44 c&b's are converted to .45 Colt.
Historically the .45 Colt was never chambered in rifles, the 44-40 was. The .45 can be loaded hot in a strong action like the 92 but so can the 44-40, just 44-40 cases won't last as long loaded hot.

Zeb Kingsford · June 15, 2008, 11:42 AM

Thanks HAWG for the information. Let's make some smoke!

bobn · June 15, 2008, 12:01 PM

i know you are gonna think i am nuts but i swear the 44 40 is just a little bit faster to feed in a lever gun during a cowboy shoot. however watch mixing up ammo when loading. it will definately ruin your day....bobn

Hawg · June 15, 2008, 12:09 PM

Bottlenecks do feed easier than straight wall cases but some of the .45 shooters are pretty dang fast.

Quote:

Thanks HAWG for the information. Let's make some smoke!

Plan to later on this evening when it cools off some.

Jim Watson · June 15, 2008, 01:53 PM

.44-40 ain't gonna go well in an 1860 because it is awful fat for the cylinder and because a .44 c&b is really a .45.

Hawg · June 15, 2008, 05:28 PM

No fatter than a .45. That's why conversion cylinders only hold five. True the .44 c&b bore is .45.

Zeb Kingsford · June 15, 2008, 06:40 PM

Thanks for the info guys, I think I will stick with the 44-40. I guess I would like to stick with the historical aspect of the caliber. Just as long I would be able to convert the 1860 Armys to cartride at a later date if I choose.

Tom2 · June 15, 2008, 07:43 PM

I don't recall reading of any early guns being converted to 44-40? Came along after the 45 didn't it?

Hawg · June 15, 2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

I don't recall reading of any early guns being converted to 44-40? Came along after the 45 didn't it?

Try reading the previous posts. They still don't convert them to 44-40, not without a barrel change. The .45 and 44-40 both were available to the public in 1873 but Colt didn't chamber 44-40 until 1878. The .45 was by far the most popular caliber for Colt revolvers.

Wleoff · June 16, 2008, 08:35 PM

I thought that conversions were done to 38-40 and 44 Russian, then, and sometimes to 38 Special or 38 S&W now. It's probably much cheaper to just buy another pistol in the caliber that you want and keep the 1860 cap & ball. Is it a Colt or Remington replica? I've had a conversion cylinder for a Remington. Not sure about the 1860 Colt. What's the caliber of your 1860? I've seen replicas in .36, .38, .44 and .45.

Wleoff · June 16, 2008, 08:37 PM

Oh yea, for accuracy in rifles, I like 38-40 and 44-40. For hunting loads, 45 Colt.

Hawg · June 16, 2008, 09:15 PM

I've hunted with my 92 in 44-40. I do jack the loads up some. Haven't actually shot anything with it yet tho.

June 14, 2008, 09:28 AM	#1
Zeb Kingsford Member Join Date: May 10, 2008 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 15	45 LC versus 44-40 Hello everyone. I got a question. What is the overall best rifle cartridge? The 45 Long Colt or the 44-40. I know the 44-40 is the most historic caliber and I don't think the ballastics or that much different. Is the 44-40 hard to reload and can a 1860 Cap & Ball pistol be converted to the 44-40? Thanks

June 14, 2008, 09:51 AM	#2
rogertc1 Junior member Join Date: December 17, 2004 Location: Maquoketa Posts: 1,335	** Last edited by rogertc1; June 15, 2008 at 05:19 AM.

June 15, 2008, 11:42 AM	#4
Zeb Kingsford Member Join Date: May 10, 2008 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 15	Thanks HAWG for the information. Let's make some smoke! Last edited by Zeb Kingsford; June 15, 2008 at 11:43 AM. Reason: spelling

June 15, 2008, 07:43 PM	#10
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	I don't recall reading of any early guns being converted to 44-40? Came along after the 45 didn't it? __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

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June 14, 2008, 10:11 AM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	44-40 cases are thin. They take a little more care to reload but they're not bad. If you shoot bp 44-40 is best. The thin case expands to keep fouling out of the action. As was stated .44 c&b's are converted to .45 Colt. Historically the .45 Colt was never chambered in rifles, the 44-40 was. The .45 can be loaded hot in a strong action like the 92 but so can the 44-40, just 44-40 cases won't last as long loaded hot.

June 15, 2008, 12:01 PM	#5
bobn Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2006 Location: midwest Posts: 1,105	i know you are gonna think i am nuts but i swear the 44 40 is just a little bit faster to feed in a lever gun during a cowboy shoot. however watch mixing up ammo when loading. it will definately ruin your day....bobn

June 15, 2008, 01:53 PM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,528	.44-40 ain't gonna go well in an 1860 because it is awful fat for the cylinder and because a .44 c&b is really a .45.

June 15, 2008, 05:28 PM	#8
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	No fatter than a .45. That's why conversion cylinders only hold five. True the .44 c&b bore is .45.

June 15, 2008, 06:40 PM	#9
Zeb Kingsford Member Join Date: May 10, 2008 Location: Pocatello, Idaho Posts: 15	Thanks for the info guys, I think I will stick with the 44-40. I guess I would like to stick with the historical aspect of the caliber. Just as long I would be able to convert the 1860 Armys to cartride at a later date if I choose.

June 16, 2008, 08:35 PM	#12
Wleoff Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2008 Location: North AL Posts: 380	I thought that conversions were done to 38-40 and 44 Russian, then, and sometimes to 38 Special or 38 S&W now. It's probably much cheaper to just buy another pistol in the caliber that you want and keep the 1860 cap & ball. Is it a Colt or Remington replica? I've had a conversion cylinder for a Remington. Not sure about the 1860 Colt. What's the caliber of your 1860? I've seen replicas in .36, .38, .44 and .45.

June 16, 2008, 08:37 PM	#13
Wleoff Senior Member Join Date: June 6, 2008 Location: North AL Posts: 380	Oh yea, for accuracy in rifles, I like 38-40 and 44-40. For hunting loads, 45 Colt.

June 16, 2008, 09:15 PM	#14
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I've hunted with my 92 in 44-40. I do jack the loads up some. Haven't actually shot anything with it yet tho.