Author Topic: .44 bullets from .40 S&W cases (Read 17566 times)

INresponse · « **Reply #60 on:** May 24, 2009, 11:35:47 AM »

Quote from: Tom W. on May 22, 2009, 11:01:01 PM

But we can't hunt with a fmj.....and can with exposed lead....

Minor technicality, punch out the primer and expose some lead.

I know, it would not be an expanding bullet so they probably would not like that either.

Tom W. · « **Reply #61 on:** May 25, 2009, 08:39:08 PM »

Here's the one I did....

southernutah · « **Reply #62 on:** May 28, 2009, 08:52:22 AM »

Inresponse, we could go one up and try the 444

Mikey · « **Reply #63 on:** May 28, 2009, 02:58:32 PM »

southernutah: I was wondering the same thing. If these bullets shoot from a 44 magnum they sure ought to shoot from a 444.

INresponse · « **Reply #64 on:** May 28, 2009, 06:29:39 PM »

Quote from: southernutah on May 28, 2009, 08:52:22 AM

Inresponse, we could go one up and try the 444

=-) All it will take is resized cases, primers, .40 brass, a little heat, and some lead!

You have any empty .444 brass?

Can I help load them? I will watch the powder levels!

Mikey · « **Reply #65 on:** May 29, 2009, 12:40:35 AM »

That's it then - I'm off to the range as soon as it stops raining and I will collect some 40 S&W brass. Now I'm wondering - if I can get to near 300 gns with a 40 S&W casing that is chock fulla lead, I wonder what I can get to with the 10mm - although that is really a bit hard to find on the range.........

Yes, I have empty 444 brass and NO, you can't watch (lololol).......

Bearcat 74 · « **Reply #66 on:** May 29, 2009, 03:01:47 AM »

Guys I have been keeping up with this thread, very good stuff. Is anyone shooting these from an S&W? I have read that they don't like heavy bullets, something about shooting loose? I would like to try these from my 629 Mountain Gun, but don't want to screw anything up. OK or not ok in the S&W's?

Thanks

Hank08 · « **Reply #67 on:** May 29, 2009, 04:41:10 AM »

BC74, if anything gets loose in your S&W Mt. gun it will be from heavy charges not heavy bullets. The .44s from .40 cases have worked well in my Smiths.
H08

INresponse · « **Reply #68 on:** May 29, 2009, 10:58:43 AM »

Quote from: Mikey on May 29, 2009, 12:40:35 AM

That's it then - I'm off to the range as soon as it stops raining and I will collect some 40 S&W brass. Now I'm wondering - if I can get to near 300 gns with a 40 S&W casing that is chock fulla lead, I wonder what I can get to with the 10mm - although that is really a bit hard to find on the range.........

Yes, I have empty 444 brass and NO, you can't watch (lololol).......

Mikey, my post was an inside joke. Southern Utah shared some reloads with me for my new Kimber. It lead to some laughs. The .444 is his gun, I want to help.

Bearcat 74 · « **Reply #69 on:** May 29, 2009, 03:00:44 PM »

Hank08, thanks. I guess I was just assuming that they weren't loaded to the gills hot when they came loose. Thanks for the reply, now to get some 40 brass!

Thanks

jhalcott · « **Reply #70 on:** May 30, 2009, 06:14:25 PM »

Could you TRIM a bit off each case and make a some what LIGHTER bullet? I would rather shoot a 240 or 250 grain .44 bullet thru my super Blackhawk than a 300 grainer! I have carpal tunnel and arthritis issues that make hanging onto a BIG kicker LESS than fun. Data is easier to find also!

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #71 on:** May 31, 2009, 01:57:24 AM »

Quote from: jhalcott on May 30, 2009, 06:14:25 PM

Could you TRIM a bit off each case and make a some what LIGHTER bullet? I would rather shoot a 240 or 250 grain .44 bullet thru my super Blackhawk than a 300 grainer! I have carpal tunnel and arthritis issues that make hanging onto a BIG kicker LESS than fun. Data is easier to find also!

I was planning on try just that if I ever get my garade done so I can get in it that is.

Hank08 · « **Reply #72 on:** May 31, 2009, 03:19:54 AM »

You can trim them but it's not necessary just put it less lead and make a hollowpoint.
H08

Tom W. · « **Reply #73 on:** May 31, 2009, 11:42:35 AM »

I shot the only one that I had today, and it went right where I was aiming. I used 11 grains of Blue Dot, and it was a pussycat.

I also found some .357 Sig brass. That should make a lighter bullet.....

S.B. · « **Reply #74 on:** May 31, 2009, 02:09:53 PM »

Quote from: Tom W. on May 31, 2009, 11:42:35 AM

I shot the only one that I had today, and it went right where I was aiming. I used 11 grains of Blue Dot, and it was a pussycat.

I also found some .357 Sig brass. That should make a lighter bullet.....

Isn't .357 Sig brass bottle necked?
Steve

Tom W. · « **Reply #75 on:** May 31, 2009, 02:53:00 PM »

Yes. It seems that it would hold the lead better that way, too. I'm still cleaning what I found today, but I believe that the crimp would be below the bottleneck. Kinda look like a Jacketed SWC, dont'cha think?

billy_56081 · « **Reply #76 on:** June 01, 2009, 01:22:33 AM »

How do you get these to the correct diamiter? looking at the specs 40 S&W is .425?

S.B. · « **Reply #77 on:** June 01, 2009, 02:14:56 AM »

I believe they're using fired cases?
Steve

Dixie Dude · « **Reply #78 on:** June 01, 2009, 04:35:47 AM »

Could you guys make a hollow point by first melting the lead inside the case, then taking a drill and drill out some of the lead in the center to make the hollow point? This would get the weight down. Could save the lead pieces and remelt them.

Another thought. Could you take a drimmel tool and cut a couple groves in the brass a little ways down for it to peal back when it hits?

jhalcott · « **Reply #79 on:** June 02, 2009, 10:12:31 AM »

HMMM! My fired 40 S&W cases mike 0.4285". Would that be a problem , or is half to a thousandth nothing to worry about?

S.B. · « **Reply #80 on:** June 02, 2009, 10:41:31 AM »

All .44 bullets are not exactly .428? Some measure .429, some .430?
Steve

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #81 on:** June 02, 2009, 04:27:34 PM »

Has been an interesting read. I like Dixie Dude's thought on cutting a couple grooves (say four at right angles) with the tiny coping saw blade and before the lead fill. Another enhancement along with this would be to fill the case with the soft plumbers lead (I have a bunch) to see how much expansion one could get. I would not worry about it coming apart as even a .490 ball out of the .50 mushrooms well without coming apart.

It was just tonight that I slipped the .40 S&W case into a .44 mag...Incredible Fit!
QUESTION: What are you guys setting the OAL at?....looks like I have another .138 to play with as compared to the jacketed and cast bullets that I have on hand. I dont really want to seat this (bullet) any deeper than the others but dont know if my SBH cylinder will take 1.748" or not. Should have tried it I guess in the dummy case but am not going back to the reloading room tonight.

Tom W. · « **Reply #82 on:** June 02, 2009, 11:26:33 PM »

I seated mine the same length as my 310 cast bullet load, which I just checked with my calipers to be 1.698. It fit fine in my SRH, but my cast bullets were too long for my buddy's S&W.... Had I seated the cast bullets in the uppermost crimp groove they would have worked in his revolver.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #83 on:** June 03, 2009, 11:20:55 AM »

Thanks Tom. I was also planning on the 11gr of Blue dot for the testing. I want to see that bullet after it has been fired though, What do you suggest? 5gal bucket of sand @ 50yds?

Tom W. · « **Reply #84 on:** June 03, 2009, 11:25:10 PM »

I dunno. Maybe a box full of wet newspaper or junk magazines or something. I just shot mine to see if it would go where I pointed, and I didn't want to dig up the berm to find it.
If you DO find it, how about posting a picture?

I'll be making some more the next time I get the urge to cast some bullets, and I'll use the .357 Sig brass. A friend of mine has some carbide 9mm dies, if I can round up a shell holder I'll take a bunch of the .40 S&W brass to his house and neck some down, just for to see what will happen..

INresponse · « **Reply #85 on:** June 06, 2009, 03:06:39 PM »

Quote from: jhalcott on June 02, 2009, 10:12:31 AM

HMMM! My fired 40 S&W cases mike 0.4285". Would that be a problem , or is half to a thousandth nothing to worry about?

I would not worry about 0.0005". That is close enough to hit the rifling, which is the important part.

Quote from: Tom W. on May 31, 2009, 11:42:35 AM

I shot the only one that I had today, and it went right where I was aiming. I used 11 grains of Blue Dot, and it was a pussycat.

I also found some .357 Sig brass. That should make a lighter bullet.....

Now that could be a great idea.

Tom W. · « **Reply #86 on:** June 06, 2009, 10:31:05 PM »

Holy Smokes! He came up with a good Idea! My Momma would be prowd....

Plainsman · « **Reply #87 on:** June 20, 2009, 07:26:52 PM »

The little bit of undersize would be less critical with a brass bullet than with a lead bullet as the lead would "strip" in the rifling and start to coat the bore being that much undersized. This is called "leading!" The brass would "grip" and still do a decent job ballistically and not gunk up the bore along the way. I guess I'll be pulling out that bag of range pickup .40's and so some experimenting myself!

I have two .44's and a .444 so I can get a LOT of use out of these if I can get a good system going!

Thanks for the idea!

baer19d · « **Reply #88 on:** June 21, 2009, 02:17:30 PM »

I think I'll give these a try also. Does anyone know of any cases that would work to make bullets in .451 or .452? 45ACP maybe.

jhalcott · « **Reply #89 on:** June 21, 2009, 05:58:33 PM »

e type Rimless, straight
Bullet diameter 0.451 in (11.5 mm)
Neck diameter 0.473 in (12.0 mm)
Base diameter 0.476 in (12.1 mm)
Rim diameter 0.48 in (12.2 mm)
Case length 0.898 in (22.8 mm)
Overall length 1.260 in (32.0 mm)
Case capacity 25 gr H2O (1.625 cm³)
Rifling twist 1 in 16 in (406 mm)
Primer type Large pistol
Maximum pressure 21,000 psi (140 MPa)
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
165 gr (10.7 g) Federal Premium Low Recoil JHP 1,060 ft/s (320 m/s) 412 ft·lbf (559 J)
185 gr (12.0 g) Corbon DPX 1,075 ft/s (328 m/s) 475 ft·lbf (644 J)
200 gr (13 g) Speer Gold Dot JHP +P 1,080 ft/s (330 m/s) 518 ft·lbf (702 J)
230 gr (15 g) Speer Lawman FMJ 830 ft/s (250 m/s) 352 ft·lbf (477 J)
Test barrel length: 5 in
Source: Midway USA[2]
The .45 ACP (11.43x23mm Automatic Colt Pistol), also known as the .45 Auto by C.I.P., is a rimless pistol cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the U.S. Army in 1911.

Contents [hide]
1 Design and history
2 Cartridge dimensions
3 Performance
4 Load variants
5 Timeline
6 Synonyms
7 Related rounds
8 References
9 External links

[edit] Design and history
The US Cavalry had been buying and testing various handguns in the late 1890s and early 1900s. The .45 Colt Single Action Army had largely been replaced, even by some double action versions of the same. The Cavalry had fielded some double action revolvers in .38 Long Colt, and they determined that the .38 caliber round was significantly less effective against determined opponents, such as those encountered in the Moro Rebellion warriors they were fighting at the time of the Philippine-American war, than the .45 Colt. The current issue rifle at the time, the .30-40 Krag, also had failed to stop Moro warriors;[3] the British had similar issues switching to the .303 British, which resulted in the development of the Dum-