H&R .44XL

[larry1945]

Picked up a pretty nice H&R single barrel on small frame chambered for .44XL made very early 1900's today.  I understand  that this was the forerunner to the .410 as a few years later they reamed out the chamber to 2 1/2" and marked it 44/410.  I further understand the 44XL is based upon the 44/40 brass rifle/pistol round.

Anyone had experience in relaoding for 44XL?  Looks like from measuring could use 44/40 or 44 special brass and speer shot containers.  Easy thing would be to ream it out to 2 1/2" /410 but I guess I just enjoy fooling with things like this.  The original shells (I have one example) had a paper container sticking out of case that looks like a bullet.

If have any experience with these would love to hear from you.

[PHATINJUN]

#1 Larry Welcome to GBO hopefully someone will have some information for you.#2 1st rule is you don't bring a gun on here like this without a picture.. #3 if you put a reamer to this thing you will be hunted down like a dog Sounds like you have a great find here good on you I have never heard of the 44XL I have seen some of the 44/410's. Is this thing smooth bore? Do you think the bullet you have is a paper patched bullet? Does it have any stampings on it if so what are they? There maybe a serial # on the tang or even the trigger guard or a letter mixed in with the patent #.More info and pictures please.You may even want to post it in the collectable forum. Again congrats on a great find. Kurt

[PHATINJUN]

Ok duh I just did a google search and found a few things on this (no wonder it's posted in the shotgun forum ) You may want to send member 32 magnum a message he may know some of this . I see they came in dbl bbl also. If you haven't already do a google search of H&R .44XL. Kurt

[Doublebass73]

Last year I saw an H&R 44-40 smoothbore in a gun shop. I seem to remember it was marked "44-40 Shotshell" on the side of the barrel. Is the .44XL the same thing?

[gendoc]

this is possibly a damascus style shotgun...
if it is, i would not shoot nothing but low charged shotshells, and they might even stick
in the chamber after ignition.
if i were you, before i shot anything in it i would have it checked by a smith.

[larry1945]

I have spent a fair amount of time on the net and evidently this was a very popular cartridge for 15 years from about 1900 to 1915.  Indicates the 44xl is actually a 44/40 case loaded with shot.  The original example I have is a 44/40 case with a paper capsule to allow larger shot charge. 

In order to fire it I loaded a Speer .44 shot capsule in a .44 special case and went down almost a grain on the rec loading.  Actually shot a very nice pattern at 20 yeards with the plastic capsule. 

Actually saw one article on net here guy was reloading them in 44/40 cases and actually forming his own paper capsules by forming paper soaked in elmers glue and water over a dowel form.

Most of articles I found indicate the bore is .425 and almost all were cyl bore.

I'd be happy tp post pics but I don't know how on this site.  Clue me in and I'll be glad to take pics of shotgun and the example of the ammo I have on hand.

[PHATINJUN]

here ya go.
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