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Post by Encore64 on May 25, 2020 16:21:26 GMT -5
I've always wanted a thoroughly modern 44-40 WCF. After years of thinking about this, I decided it was time.
So, I sent Dave a Ruger Super Blackhawk to start the project. His work needs no explanation among the revolver crowd.
All the standard work was done. Action job, cylinder window squared up, etc. I'll provide all details later.
Specifics will include a #5 Keith Style Base Pin, Clements Crescent Ejector Rod and my own requested front sight.
The cylinder is a story to itself. Slightly larger than factory 6-Shot. Line bored, accuracy bushings in both ends for perfect alignment and stability. It will be of the open case head design. This allowed the cylinder to be set back for Starline Brass only. We found the rims were .007" thinner than Winchester. The cylinder will be fluted as well.
The slightly larger cylinder allowed the walls to be the same thickness and strength as factory 44 Magnum cylinders. Should allow a lot of flexibility for handloads.
Throats are cut .4305" and chambers allow chambering of Starline Brass loaded with .431" bullets. Tight chambers wouldn't allow any larger bullets. Bore slugged a snug .429", so this should work fine.
Gun was drilled and tapped for a Weigand Scope Base. Dave milled the top strap for a perfect fit and alignment with the bore.
The factory 44 Magnum cylinder was retained as an auxiliary option. Was turned to match the length of the 44-40 cylinder. Both have a barrel gap of .0015"
Heard from Dave today and the gun will ship tomorrow. Hope to have more info, pictures and a range report soon.
Several forum members offered very helpful advice and suggestions. Thanks to them all...
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Post by taffin on May 25, 2020 16:33:44 GMT -5
CLEMENTS .44-40/.44 SPECIAL  |
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Post by Encore64 on May 25, 2020 16:35:07 GMT -5
CLEMENTS .44-40/.44 SPECIAL JT, great gun and I'm fixing to send you a PM about that very gun... |
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Post by Encore64 on May 26, 2020 18:16:23 GMT -5
As is always the case with Dave Clements, he was true to his word.
Early this morning I received an email with a tracking number. The gun will be here tomorrow.
The surprise came in a second email this evening. This package actually contains four guns from Dave. In the second email he described checking each gun for perfection as he packed them. Guess I shouldn't be surprised, that's the kind of person he is.
This caliber will be of very limited interest on here, no doubt. But, I sure look forward to it...
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Post by Alaskan454 on May 26, 2020 19:43:28 GMT -5
Congratulations on your new build. I wish David was still taking big bore work, he makes wonderful revolvers.
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Post by Encore64 on May 26, 2020 19:46:57 GMT -5
A few have questioned my sanity for getting full fledged customs in these old calibers. But, it makes perfect sense to me.
I'm about bigbored out. Have been more into the smallbores and hyphenated cartridges the last few years. Puts a lot of fun back into shooting.
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Post by Alaskan454 on May 26, 2020 19:50:35 GMT -5
I fully support your quest for the less popular calibers. They can be the most rewarding to explore. I suppose when I said Big Bore I really meant the full custom conversions. For some reason I thought David had stopped taking orders on those. He made my first custom and it's a real sweet packing pistol.
Also, I will say that many of my .45 and up cartridges are loaded to moderate recoil. I don't spend much time shooting the T-Rex loads but still enjoy them occasionally.
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Post by Encore64 on May 26, 2020 19:55:48 GMT -5
Yeah, the 5-Shot Conversions are no longer on his website.
My limited knowledge of internal ballistics indicates this 44-40 Will push a 255 grn cast at 1300+ fps and a 285 grn at 1200 fps staying under my 30k psi self imposed limit and avoiding Magnum Powders.
Will see soon...
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Post by nolongcolt on May 26, 2020 20:15:26 GMT -5
I love that old round! Have a Colt SAA late 3rd and a Chiappa 92 carbine in that great cartridge. Have owned a bunch over the years.
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Post by eliminator on May 26, 2020 22:03:27 GMT -5
This caliber will be of very limited interest on here, no doubt. But, I sure look forward to it... Well don't be so sure!  Kidding aside, I've spent more time with the .44 WCF in the last 12 months than any other caliber. However, in all honesty, it's all been in long guns. I have two current Winchester 1873's and an 1892, all built by Miroku. They are exceptionally made rifles. When I first started loading for this cartridge I couldn't find a sizing die that would set the shoulder back far enough causing a loss of neck tension. I tried new ones from Redding, RCBS, and Hornady. I probably could have had any one of the dies shortened to get the desired results but instead I had Whidden Gun Works make a custom die. Problem solved. Normally (99.99% of the time) I like to seat and crimp separately but with this one I have had great success seating and crimping at the same station using an RCBS die. Sort of went on a tangent there. Can't wait to see the finished product and hear a report. Congrats! |
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Post by drycreek on May 26, 2020 22:04:39 GMT -5
“Patiently” waiting on pics !
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Post by ddixie884 on May 26, 2020 23:13:03 GMT -5
Sounds like a neat custom. The 3 old wcf calibers just won't die, thank goodness.......
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Post by Encore64 on May 27, 2020 5:10:57 GMT -5
Eliminator, I use only the Lee Dies. The Factory Crimp Die squeezes a crimp instead of rolling it. Case loss is zero.
I believe the only reason this caliber hasn't experienced the modernization of loads like the 45 Colt has is because of flimsy brass. Starline has solved that issue for us.
Granted, mimicking 44 Magnum ballistics is a best case scenario anyways. But, it seems the slight bottleneck produces a bit higher velocity with similar pressures. Will just see how it goes.
The second Clements Gun is a Blackhawk 38-40, which will be reported on later. So far, it has proven to be a powerhouse.
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Post by eliminator on May 27, 2020 11:50:01 GMT -5
Eliminator, I use only the Lee Dies. The Factory Crimp Die squeezes a crimp instead of rolling it. Case loss is zero. I believe the only reason this caliber hasn't experienced the modernization of loads like the 45 Colt has is because of flimsy brass. Starline has solved that issue for us. Granted, mimicking 44 Magnum ballistics is a best case scenario anyways. But, it seems the slight bottleneck produces a bit higher velocity with similar pressures. Will just see how it goes. The second Clements Gun is a Blackhawk 38-40, which will be reported on later. So far, it has proven to be a powerhouse. I initially bought the highly recommended Redding Profile Crimp Die but it is apparently sized tight for .427" projectiles. It resulted in shaved lead when using .430" bullets (the groove diameter in my Winchesters all slugged .429-.4295"). My next move was to get the Lee FCD as you use but I tried the RCBS and it worked perfectly, much to my amazement. I may try one eventually but my setup is working great with zero case loss as well. I'm also using Dillon's Expander/Powder Funnel sized for .44 Spl/.44 Magnum rather than their slightly smaller one designed for .44 WCF. Love this stuff. Now, you mentioned your .38-40 a couple of times in the past - this one has my attention. I may need to satisfy that little itch once my .41 Spl fever subsides a bit. |
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Post by Encore64 on May 27, 2020 15:48:57 GMT -5
Gun arrived and as expected is typical Dave Clements. I can not find a single flaw with it.
Took a couple quick phone photos of it. Sent to Craig for posting. They suck, but will do until I'm able to take worthy pictures.
Gun will accept Cartridges 1.760" OAL.
I'd ask for it to look like a factory gun, upgraded.
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