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Post by eisenhower on Jun 5, 2024 21:11:21 GMT -5
Hi guys, As you may have seen in another thread, after a lifetime of avoiding reloading, I've finally decided (been forced?) to take the plunge so that I may shoot the Colt SAA in .44-40 that I bought back in 2010, when cowboy ammo was plentiful. I then wound up working overseas for several years, so it sat in storage and never got shot again. And now, of course, .44-40, when you can even find some, is priced like it's .375 H&H Magnum! So, not wanting to devote a workbench to a reloading press, and wanting to go the very old school, traditional route, I hunted and found an antique Ideal reloading tool for .44-40. I should have it in hand in the next few days, along with some 200 grain round flat-point bullets, some Starline brass, some Titegroup power, some Winchester primers, and a plan to load three different powder charges to try to find if one offers greater accuracy. In the meantime, I thought I'd start this thread with a pic of the pistol in question - a 2010 3rd Gen Colt SAA. I searched my old posts on this forum from when I bought the pistol, and I said was able to shoot 1.5" groups at 15 yds with 220-grain cowboy loads (I think it was Black Hills). My eyes are 14-years older now, and I don't recall if that was off-hand or rested (probably rested) but I hope that means this gun is inherently pretty accurate. I also noted at the time that it was shooting dead-on for windage which was a relief. So, in the next few days, I hope to update with my first report from the first step in my reloading journey. And I will probably have some questions too! Thanks, DeWayne  |
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Post by longoval on Jun 5, 2024 21:55:52 GMT -5
That’s a real beauty
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awp101
.401 Bobcat
They call me…Andrew
Posts: 2,757
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Post by awp101 on Jun 6, 2024 5:11:20 GMT -5
Welcome to the madness from another reloading neophyte! After years of wanting to reload but not having the space or time, I finally got set up a couple of months ago. A big problem I have now is looking at all the calibers I've avoided or sold off over the years due to ammo cost/availability (such as .44-40 it's fellow hyphenated cartridges) and thinking "Hey, I can probably shoot those now!" which leads down lots of rabbit trails I didn't budget time or treasure for...  |
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gnappi
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,609
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Post by gnappi on Jun 6, 2024 6:21:39 GMT -5
Welcome to the joys of reloading!
Being able to pick up a firearm in any caliber and be able to buy the gun and feed it sets you in a place others who do not reload may not go.
It's also an art form where learning the complete spectrum of hand loading and reloading ammunition (if you approach it as a art) is more satisfying than opening a box of commercial ammo. Brass and components may limit you at times so I'd advise you to keep an ear to the ground for and buy supplies whenever you can.
Old school is cool, I still have my single stage RCBS BIG MAX for serious hand loading. What press did you get?
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bamagreg
.327 Meteor
Woodstock, GA
Posts: 946
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Post by bamagreg on Jun 6, 2024 6:38:11 GMT -5
Reloading is a great enabler causing me to consider rifles or handguns I would never think of otherwise. Just a couple of days ago I was seriously considering a nice CZ rifle chambered in 450 Dakota! Luckily I survived the initial urge and talked myself out of it.
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Post by 45MAN on Jun 6, 2024 7:35:29 GMT -5
LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR JOURNEY, MAYBE I WILL REMEMBER THINGS I FORGOT, LEARN THINGSN I NEVER KNEW, WANT TO PULL OUT MY OLD 310 TOOL AND USE IT, OR ......
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Post by bula on Jun 6, 2024 8:21:28 GMT -5
I started back around 1980 at a friends house with his Dad. An old press there for pistol/rifle and a press for 12gauge. We were bird hunters. A few years later got a Lee set up for 44mag, the kind that requires a mallet. Drove Mom crazy, but worked fine. A Lee press followed, a 2nd Lee here now. You will enjoy your efforts and confidence will grow.
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Post by Encore64 on Jun 6, 2024 8:35:08 GMT -5
The 44-40 is a pleasure to load for.
My personal Colt Frontier 44-40 has .431" throats. Therefore, I shoot .430" coated cast bullets in Starline Brass.
The Starline Brass has neck walls .0065" (thinner, but stronger than others). This allows using the larger bullets with chambering issues.
Highly recommend sizing your gun's throats before reloading.
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Post by eisenhower on Jun 6, 2024 9:36:29 GMT -5
Welcome to the joys of reloading! Being able to pick up a firearm in any caliber and be able to buy the gun and feed it sets you in a place others who do not reload may not go. It's also an art form where learning the complete spectrum of hand loading and reloading ammunition (if you approach it as a art) is more satisfying than opening a box of commercial ammo. Brass and components may limit you at times so I'd advise you to keep an ear to the ground for and buy supplies whenever you can. Old school is cool, I still have my single stage RCBS BIG MAX for serious hand loading. What press did you get? No gents, no press. When I say "old school" I mean OLD school! Ideal #4 loading tool. No futzing with seating depth, etc. - you gets what you gets!  |
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nicholst55
.375 Atomic
Retired, twice.
Posts: 1,142
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Post by nicholst55 on Jun 6, 2024 10:13:46 GMT -5
Welcome to the joys of reloading! Being able to pick up a firearm in any caliber and be able to buy the gun and feed it sets you in a place others who do not reload may not go. It's also an art form where learning the complete spectrum of hand loading and reloading ammunition (if you approach it as a art) is more satisfying than opening a box of commercial ammo. Brass and components may limit you at times so I'd advise you to keep an ear to the ground for and buy supplies whenever you can. Old school is cool, I still have my single stage RCBS BIG MAX for serious hand loading. What press did you get? No gents, no press. When I say "old school" I mean OLD school! Ideal #4 loading tool. No futzing with seating depth, etc. - you gets what you gets! View AttachmentThat's hard-core! I am going out on a limb, and will predict that you'll have some type of bench mounted press and a set of dies within 6 months. Those nutcracker tools certainly work, but man, do they get tedious when you want to load a couple of hundred rounds! |
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Post by eisenhower on Jun 6, 2024 10:15:17 GMT -5
I know you don't know me, but I'll just say, your prediction is not one I'd bet against!
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gnappi
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,609
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Post by gnappi on Jun 6, 2024 11:21:57 GMT -5
I know you don't know me, but I'll just say, your prediction is not one I'd bet against! I started with one of the Lee hand loaders, I now have some 6 or so (not sure) presses.  |
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Post by drycreek on Jun 6, 2024 14:58:58 GMT -5
I know you don't know me, but I'll just say, your prediction is not one I'd bet against! I’ll second that ! I started with a “nutcracker “ for the first Blackhawk I ever bought. I loaded lots of .38 and .357 back in the day. I didn’t have room for a reloading bench, much less the money. I would spread my stuff on the floor and load up fifty at a time and shoot them all as soon as I had a day off !  Reloading is almost a necessity if you want to optimize your accuracy/performance in ammo. There are so many options in powder charges, bullets, primers, etc that you can take advantage of if you make your own. Good luck on your journey ! |
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Post by eisenhower on Jun 6, 2024 15:20:07 GMT -5
The "nutcracker arrived today"! Such a cool little piece of history.  |
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Post by paul105 on Jun 6, 2024 17:04:00 GMT -5
Started my reloading journey in the early 60s with a Lyman Nutcracker (.357/.38) to feed my Ruger Flattop .357. Ten plus yrs ago, I gave it to Rob (Simply Rugged) who was outfitting a new shooter with with a simple reloading setup.
Also had the Lee Basic reloader (like the one pictured above) in 6mm Rem. Friend and i used it to load for our Rem 600s (bought with summer job money). Had a primer go off when hammering one home - scary but noise only so no damage done.
If you continue shooting in any volume, you will quickly end up with more advanced equipment.
Enjoy your Journey.
Paul
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