The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Gaining some respect for 44-40

Jim Watson · March 10, 2019, 11:54 AM

I used to have a book that included old catalog cuts.
By the mid 1880s, the .45 Colt was carrying 35 grains of black.

Mike Venturino crammed in about 38 grains and reported 900+ fps.
Sharpe says 40 grains for 900 fps, source "Hatcher."

1939 Stoegers "English Ammunition" table does not show .45 Colt, but .44-40 with only 33 grains black at 1300 fps, same as for 10.5 grains of Revolver Neonite. same velocity as US brands, powder not stated.

1901 Sears advertised .44-40 and .45 Colt with 40 grains of black, 17 and 20 grains of unspecified smokeless, respectively; velocity not given.

Mike Venturino was in the habit of using a compression die on BP for CAS, just as for BPCR. He said the extra work loading got him a cleaner burn and saved him having to wipe between match stages.

A Handloader magazine article about the smokeless factory, black reload .32 Winchester Special cited poor results with fresh Goex. A can of very old DuPont black gave higher velocity, cleaner burn, and better accuracy.

March 10, 2019, 11:54 AM	#57
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Random Recollections and Obscure References. I used to have a book that included old catalog cuts. By the mid 1880s, the .45 Colt was carrying 35 grains of black. Mike Venturino crammed in about 38 grains and reported 900+ fps. Sharpe says 40 grains for 900 fps, source "Hatcher." 1939 Stoegers "English Ammunition" table does not show .45 Colt, but .44-40 with only 33 grains black at 1300 fps, same as for 10.5 grains of Revolver Neonite. same velocity as US brands, powder not stated. 1901 Sears advertised .44-40 and .45 Colt with 40 grains of black, 17 and 20 grains of unspecified smokeless, respectively; velocity not given. Mike Venturino was in the habit of using a compression die on BP for CAS, just as for BPCR. He said the extra work loading got him a cleaner burn and saved him having to wipe between match stages. A Handloader magazine article about the smokeless factory, black reload .32 Winchester Special cited poor results with fresh Goex. A can of very old DuPont black gave higher velocity, cleaner burn, and better accuracy.