Is there any modern ammo?

cbyhnsn · May 26, 2025, 10:38 PM

I received a Navy Arms Model 1866 Little Big Horn .44-40 when my father passed. All info I see is that 44cal ammo jams because of the length of the cartridge. Is there any modern day ammo that can be ran through this rifle without having to single load each shot. Any info is greatly appreciated.

Hawg · May 26, 2025, 11:21 PM

All 44-40 currently being sold is modern and should cycle.

**Aguila Blanca** · May 27, 2025, 01:44 AM

It's important that you understand what ammo you buy. I don't know how much you know, so forgive me if this is too basic:

"44 cal" doesn't mean ... anything. .44-40 is a specific cartridge designation. .44 Special is also nominally a "44 cal" cartridge (it's not really .44 caliber, but neither is the .44-40), but it's a totally different cartridge than .44-40.

.44 Special is a straight wall cartridge. The .44-40 is actually a bottleneck cartridge, although the bottleneck is very subtle.

Don't get the two confused.

ligonierbill · May 27, 2025, 06:57 AM

I have one of those. The story is that Val Forgett sent copies of original 66 drawings to his Italian manufacturer who followed them exactly...including the 44 Henry carrier. Yes, it's a little too short for standard length 44-40. As a reloder, I'm just going to trim my cases a bit short.

PS: Yes, I tried it in mine. No, it won't cycle.

Hawg · May 27, 2025, 07:12 AM

A .44 special shouldn't fit in a 44-40 chamber close enough to close the action unless the camber is a little loose. Firing a .44 special in a 44-40 will blow the case out to .44-40 dimensions and will most likely split the case.

cbyhnsn · May 29, 2025, 09:08 AM

Thanks for the info... had heard that there was an issue with 44-40 ammo not cycling, just didn't want to have to single load each shot. I was given 2 boxes of ammo with the rifle... will give it a try... thanks again

Jim Watson · May 29, 2025, 10:59 AM

"Info"
"heard"
"will give it a try"

Please, SHOOT THE GUN.

cbyhnsn · May 29, 2025, 06:14 PM

I plan on it

44 Dave · May 29, 2025, 08:33 PM

I shoot and reload .44-40 the max length is 1.592 min. is 1.540.
The spent cases will not be a problem. I would "jack" a few of your rounds through it with out firing. You don't need to go to a range to find out if it will work

gwpercle · May 31, 2025, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbyhnsn

I plan on it

Let us know if the rounds cycle ...and what is the C.O.L. of those rounds ...
would like to file that knowledge away for future use .
Thanks,
Gary

May 26, 2025, 10:38 PM	#1
cbyhnsn Junior Member Join Date: May 17, 2025 Posts: 3	Is there any modern ammo? I received a Navy Arms Model 1866 Little Big Horn .44-40 when my father passed. All info I see is that 44cal ammo jams because of the length of the cartridge. Is there any modern day ammo that can be ran through this rifle without having to single load each shot. Any info is greatly appreciated.

May 27, 2025, 01:44 AM	#3
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 19,033	It's important that you understand what ammo you buy. I don't know how much you know, so forgive me if this is too basic: "44 cal" doesn't mean ... anything. .44-40 is a specific cartridge designation. .44 Special is also nominally a "44 cal" cartridge (it's not really .44 caliber, but neither is the .44-40), but it's a totally different cartridge than .44-40. .44 Special is a straight wall cartridge. The .44-40 is actually a bottleneck cartridge, although the bottleneck is very subtle. Don't get the two confused. __________________ NRA Life Member / Certified Instructor NRA Chief RSO / CMP RSO 1911 Certified Armorer Jeepaholic

May 27, 2025, 06:57 AM	#4
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,641	I have one of those. The story is that Val Forgett sent copies of original 66 drawings to his Italian manufacturer who followed them exactly...including the 44 Henry carrier. Yes, it's a little too short for standard length 44-40. As a reloder, I'm just going to trim my cases a bit short. PS: Yes, I tried it in mine. No, it won't cycle. Last edited by ligonierbill; May 30, 2025 at 06:26 AM.

May 26, 2025, 11:21 PM	#2
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,376	All 44-40 currently being sold is modern and should cycle.

May 27, 2025, 07:12 AM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,376	A .44 special shouldn't fit in a 44-40 chamber close enough to close the action unless the camber is a little loose. Firing a .44 special in a 44-40 will blow the case out to .44-40 dimensions and will most likely split the case.

May 29, 2025, 09:08 AM	#6
cbyhnsn Junior Member Join Date: May 17, 2025 Posts: 3	Thanks for the info... had heard that there was an issue with 44-40 ammo not cycling, just didn't want to have to single load each shot. I was given 2 boxes of ammo with the rifle... will give it a try... thanks again

May 29, 2025, 10:59 AM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 19,155	"Info" "heard" "will give it a try" Please, SHOOT THE GUN.

May 29, 2025, 06:14 PM	#8
cbyhnsn Junior Member Join Date: May 17, 2025 Posts: 3	I plan on it

May 29, 2025, 08:33 PM	#9
44 Dave Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Posts: 590	I shoot and reload .44-40 the max length is 1.592 min. is 1.540. The spent cases will not be a problem. I would "jack" a few of your rounds through it with out firing. You don't need to go to a range to find out if it will work