OK to switch cylinders on Ruger 44's?

[TRWalker]

I own two Ruger 44 magnums.  One is a convertible 7 1/2 inch Super Blackhawk with an extra 44-40 cylinder. The other one is a Blackhawk  framed 44 magnum with about a 4 inch barrel. Is it OK to use the 44-40 cylinder in the Blackhawk style 44?

[Lloyd Smale]

i picked up a 4440 cylinder a while back and it drops right into my gun with no fitting. Should it yours too but no gurantees.

[Ken ONeill]

Use a relatively tight fitting range rod to check the barrel to cylinder alignment on each chamber, and check the barrel / cylinder gap as well as the end float...whether the cylinder moves back and forward.

[44 Man]

I have swapped many Ruger cylinders and most have dropped right in.  I have only had problems with one and that has more end shake than I like.  I have NEVER had a cylinder/barrel alignment problem.  44 Man

[greenrivers]

44 Man, I just read your post and I was wondering if there was any advantage to using a 44 Special cylinder (if available) in an early 70s version Super Blackhawk in .44mag. I want to start reloading the Special and wondered if the longer throats would be a dissadvantage. I have been reloading for many years and realize that I can load down the mag., but wonder if I can improve accuracy with a designated cylinder. If you have tried it and found no advantage, then I guess I will have to look into one of the Flat tops. Man it never ends.

[mcwoodduck]

Why get a special cylinder for the 44 Special rounds?
I know you will have to clean the gun more but the 44 Special and 44 Russian are shorter versions of the 44 mag case
If you want to shoot 44 Specials and are worried about a flash ring in the cylinder,
Just load mag cases to 44 Special specs.

[gcrank1]

+1 on using 'spl' loads in 'mag' brass, I did it for years when I had the maggies back in the 70s'. My old standard 'Skeeter load' needed 1/2 gr. more Unique to get the same velo from the Redhawk as in Spl cases in the S&W 624.

[greenrivers]

Thanks for the input guys. I have heard for years about the inherant accuracy of the special from the "old timers" (never thought I'd get there) and want to give it all the chances available. The jump from case to throat in a mag. is as I understand not an issue in some guns, but not as accurate in others. With a designated cylinder I would be dealing with longer throats and that is what my question is really about. As they are all individuals, I will test my SBH and find out, but will of coarse wonder untill I buy a new bisley BH.

[44 Man]

I guess I need to jump back in here.  I have to say that I have shot thousands of 44 spl's through Ruger 44 mags and have never had an issue with accuracy or extra cleaning of the gun.  And I believe the old worry about getting a 'ring' in the cylinder from shooting shorter brass is an old wives tail from the 70's someone supposed 'could' happen.  I don't believe it ever has, certainly not with 44 special loads.  Shoot them and don't worry about it, enjoy it!  44 Man

[Wyo. Coyote Hunter]

   I have a bunch of mag. cases and 44 spl. cases..now I have a 44 spl. Ruger from Lipsey's...If I am reading your posts right, it is fine to use loads designed for the .44 spl. in mag. cases...Ex. right now I shoot alot of 210 grain bullets in the Spl. over 13.5 gr. of 2400...beautiful load for plinking..or 7.5 grain of Unique..these will work in the mag. cases...

[mcwoodduck]

I guess I need to jump back in here.  I have to say that I have shot thousands of 44 spl's through Ruger 44 mags and have never had an issue with accuracy or extra cleaning of the gun.  And I believe the old worry about getting a 'ring' in the cylinder from shooting shorter brass is an old wives tail from the 70's someone supposed 'could' happen.  I don't believe it ever has, certainly not with 44 special loads.  Shoot them and don't worry about it, enjoy it!  44 Man

I don't think it is a ring so much as gunk.
With my S&W If I shot the old Remington 200 Lead Hollowpoint keith bullets and a lot of them, I had to force the crud out of the chamber with a 44 Mag case.
Same with 22 Long CBs in a 22 LR and shooting quite a few.  I think the myth is that the ring of crud and poweder residue would buldge the chamber with a full house load. 
If the gunk is that thick it is not going to allow you to load a mag ctg.
there also were concerns about excessive freeboard before the bullet hits the forcing cone and stabelizes.
In earlier guns I could see this as a factor.  the round bullet hit the forcing cone and shaves a little lead and the bullet is now lop sided and could cause some problems.  With modern cone shaped bullets that have some length to them i do not think this is a problem.  maybe I will talk to Frank about it tomorrow and see if he can get the Myth busters to do something on it.
They like doing gun myths.

[gcrank1]

WCH, yep, you got it, lighter loads (as in 38Spl in .357 Mag cases and 44Spl in 44Mag) work fine. If you dont want to change a powder measure setting, etc, just load the longer case with the same charge, but 1/2gr. more charge  worked for me. You can use the Spl die set too on the longer cases, but will need to adjust the seater/crimp.

[greenrivers]

No worries about ringing or build up, I shoot several differant colt loads in my .454 and have other calibers in the past. I was looking for accuracy recommendations through trial and error. (Longer jump to throats, etc.) I have had great luck with the mag loads over the years and want to expand horizons by using the special. Also have a problem with the SBH slapping my knuckle enough to start a flow! Causes a bit of a flinch after awhile! (Older hands-big knuckles)
I intend to use the old SBH with specials, but can see one of the Lipsey Rugers in my future. (Good Lord willing!)

[gcrank1]

That unique load of yours or 1/2gr. more was my favorite in 44s and now my 45C. I expect if I had a 44WCF Id use it there too or cut it 1/2gr. for the lighter bullet.