Ruger Vaquero 44/40 loading help

[Shane in WI]

I picked up a nearly new 44/40 Vaquero Ruger w/ 7 1/2" barrel in the polished stainless finish this week.  I also bought dies to reload for this gun.  I'm not looking to compete in cowboy shooting at this time, just a fun target load.  I measured the back of each cylinder, along with the barrel at the muzzle and came up with .424.  I am learning that there are many different sizes of bullets to choose from.  How do I determine what to order and load?  I found some Magnus RNFP 200 grain lead bullets at .426 that seemed to be what I'm looking for, but not sure.   Idea's on powder and primer brands to try?  I do have reloading books, just asking where to start.   Any trouble shooting lead bullets through a stainless barrel?
Thanks for the information.

[The Shrink]

Shane

First and foremost, if you are not an experienced reloader, buy a couple of loading manuals and read, read, read.  Familarize yourself with the process, each and every component, and reasons for choosing one brand of component over another.  If you know or can contact a reloader through a local gunshop do so, most of us are delighted to initiate a new member!

In short, do not try to load anything until you know what you are doing!  Stick to factory loads and save your brass until you do.

No, there's no problem shooting lead through stainless barrels that you don't have with regular steel barrels.  Lead hardness, bullet fit, lubricant, and velocity are the primary variables you will be juggling.  

I can recommend the Lyman, Sierra, and Speer reloading manuals.  Others have said that Richard Lee has done a good job, but I haven't read his.  Some of this information may be available in a good public library system, but you will probably have to invest a little.  If you don't have a press and powder measuring system you will need these to use those dies you bought.  

Obviously, there's a lot more to be said.  Your question suggests that you may be a novice at this.  That's nothing to be ashamed of, we all started there.  It's not a steep learning curve, but it's an important one because of safety issues.  Reloading is dangerous if you don't know what you are doing, so learn well and enjoy.

Wayne the Shrink

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Welcome to the wonderful word of reloading.  You won't save any $$, you will just have a bunch more bullets to shoot. :grin:

Usually you are looking for lead bullets 1 to 2 thousandths larger than the bore but some guns vary.  
CCI primers are one of the hardest,  Federal, I've found, are soft and just right.  If you get an action job on the Ruger, the gunsmith will probably replace the springs with lighter ones.  The soft primers help here.

I'm using Bullseye powder because I have pounds of it.  Red Dot and Universal Clays are also good.  If you can find a mentor use what he is until you get a good feel for it.  

More later as I have to go teach the kindergarteners....

ÇR

[Shane in WI]

Thanks for the reply's.  I have been reloading for 3 or 4 years now and do have all the equipment along with several loading manuals.  Sorry if my question was confusing.  Something I haven't had to deal with yet was the different diameter of lead bullets to choose from and I was wondering how to best determine the load for this caliber.  I'm not an expert which is why I'm asking before I try loading for my new pistol.  I was able to shoot some factory rounds the other night and accuracy was pretty good, but seemed to shoot low and to the left.  I'll have to do alot more shooting before I worry about that.

[HWooldridge]

The 44-40 typically uses a smaller bullet than a 44 Special or Mag because it has a slight bottleneck.  You may be able to get by with a .427 bullet but .425 would be better.  A .429 bullet will probably not allow the round to chamber in the cylinder.  Any 200 gr lead bullet with a flat nose that is sized in this range should work well.  7.0 gr Unique with a standard LP primer is a good middlin' load or you can shoot black powder.  I have owned several 44-40's and think it's a great short range round for pistol and rifle.

[The Shrink]

Shane

Sounds like you are ready for the next step, if you are seriously thinking about lead bullets.  Are you in a situation where you can cast your own?

 I'm still using the old Coleman stove as a heat source and an old kitchen pot for a container.  I bought a Lyman dipper, lead thermometer, and, of course, lots of molds.  I eventually added a cast iron 20 lb. pot for the stove, but still use the kitchen (1 qt) pot for pure lead to cast for the cap and ball pistols.  

Either before you cast, but definitely after, you pick up a swager to size your bullets.  Lee makes a good one that fits on your press.  Lyman, RCBS, and Star make them that are dedicated and you replace dies to change sizes.  You buy swaging dies for each diameter you want and try them in your pistol.   This is the long way, but the only accurate way, to answer your question, and it justifies so much shooting.   :grin:

Of course you can then step to the real, authentic way to shoot the 44-40, which is with The Holy Black.  Fill a case full, compress enough to make space for the bullet, and seat the bullet.  It's literally that easy.  Then you will need the MAV mold so you have enough lube on the bullet.  You know that this sort of thing never stops, don't you?

By this time you have so much invested that you can justify another pistol and a rifle in the same caliber.  After all, you won't have to buy all this other stuff again!  :-)


Wayne the Shrink

[Keokotah]

 U should   Lube the cases when reloading 44/40 .......I use 200 gr RNFP   4.9grs of Clays  ( Light load )  Both RV's shoot point of aim ( when the shooter is on ) :-D ......as my Henry does.... been shooting and loading 44/40 for 4 yrs.   Only operators  error          Hope that is some help................ Thanks, Keokotah