.44-40 ruger vaquero reload probs
Quote from Reloader on February 27, 2010, 6:59 amReload .44-40, 220 gr cast bullet, slugged barrel to get diameter right during resizing of my cast bullets. Case OAL per Hornadys confirmed. Can't seem to get the bottleneck right, have tried every conceivable combo of depth, crimp, taper. I do cam-over when reloading on my 650SL. Had RCBS make me a seater/crimper die. Still the cartridge won't drop into the chamber. All six chambers the same. Also shoot a Henry (Urbeti) .44-40 rifle, and the shells drop into the chamber without having to be forced with the lever. FACTORY ammo works fine, and the bottleneck looks slightly more pronounced than the ones I turn out. Pulled a SJHP from a factory round, seated it on one of my shells, and problem still there. Just about ready to sell off the vaquero. Any ideas??
Reload .44-40, 220 gr cast bullet, slugged barrel to get diameter right during resizing of my cast bullets. Case OAL per Hornadys confirmed. Can't seem to get the bottleneck right, have tried every conceivable combo of depth, crimp, taper. I do cam-over when reloading on my 650SL. Had RCBS make me a seater/crimper die. Still the cartridge won't drop into the chamber. All six chambers the same. Also shoot a Henry (Urbeti) .44-40 rifle, and the shells drop into the chamber without having to be forced with the lever. FACTORY ammo works fine, and the bottleneck looks slightly more pronounced than the ones I turn out. Pulled a SJHP from a factory round, seated it on one of my shells, and problem still there. Just about ready to sell off the vaquero. Any ideas??
Quote from Reloader on March 1, 2010, 4:37 pmWhat bullet diamter are you loading? The early Vaqueros were cut at SAAMI minumum chamber specs, and required a .426"-.427" diameter bullet. You probably need to have a Cowboy Action gunsmith open up the necks in the chambers a couple of thousanths. On the other hand, most Uberti and original rifles will easily accept up to a .429" bullet and still easily chamber.
What bullet diamter are you loading? The early Vaqueros were cut at SAAMI minumum chamber specs, and required a .426"-.427" diameter bullet. You probably need to have a Cowboy Action gunsmith open up the necks in the chambers a couple of thousanths. On the other hand, most Uberti and original rifles will easily accept up to a .429" bullet and still easily chamber.
Quote from Reloader on March 6, 2010, 11:07 pmThanks for the response. My cast resized bullets mic at .428. I slugged the cone in a chamber and came up with .427, while the barrel slugged was .428. Problem seems to be I don't know exactly WHERE in the chamber (depth) the cone forces down to .427. Seems likely it is before it should be, and so the combined bullet plus case wall diameter (.457) is hitting that bottleneck.
My wife has access to some semi-rubberized dental material, hardens like silicone but with no distortion. I'm going to make an impression of the chamber and compare it to a factory round (which, as I mentioned loads well) as well as my reloads. I imagine I'll find that you are right, I must have the cones moved up a little.
I don't know any good gunsmiths around here. Got any suggestions out your way? I'd only have to mail the cylinder, not the whole gun. I'd also send along a few reloaded cartridges (minus primers and powder of course) so he could see what I'm up against and open the throats as needed.
I really appreciate your help!
Thanks for the response. My cast resized bullets mic at .428. I slugged the cone in a chamber and came up with .427, while the barrel slugged was .428. Problem seems to be I don't know exactly WHERE in the chamber (depth) the cone forces down to .427. Seems likely it is before it should be, and so the combined bullet plus case wall diameter (.457) is hitting that bottleneck.
My wife has access to some semi-rubberized dental material, hardens like silicone but with no distortion. I'm going to make an impression of the chamber and compare it to a factory round (which, as I mentioned loads well) as well as my reloads. I imagine I'll find that you are right, I must have the cones moved up a little.
I don't know any good gunsmiths around here. Got any suggestions out your way? I'd only have to mail the cylinder, not the whole gun. I'd also send along a few reloaded cartridges (minus primers and powder of course) so he could see what I'm up against and open the throats as needed.
I really appreciate your help!
Quote from Reloader on April 6, 2010, 7:02 pmI believe Ruger might do it for you no charge. It's been a number of years since I got my 2 44-40's but at that time some of the Vaqueros were being made with .429 bores (I think they were using .44 Mag. barrels). I sent the cylinders to Ruger and they punched them out to .429 and refinished them no charge. Give them a call.
I believe Ruger might do it for you no charge. It's been a number of years since I got my 2 44-40's but at that time some of the Vaqueros were being made with .429 bores (I think they were using .44 Mag. barrels). I sent the cylinders to Ruger and they punched them out to .429 and refinished them no charge. Give them a call.
Quote from Reloader on November 3, 2011, 10:38 pmWhen I load 32-20, 38-40 and 44-40 cartridges for revolvers the bullets will fit a gage or rifle chamber. However, they will not fully seat in a revolver cylinder. The answer is an additional operation using a Lee crimp die available for these calibers. It is a four section tool which compresses radially instead of from the top. It is called a Factory Crimp Die and worth its weight in gold. After making the bullets in my Dillon, I use this crimp die in my single stage press to make perfect fitting bullets. Hope this helps.
When I load 32-20, 38-40 and 44-40 cartridges for revolvers the bullets will fit a gage or rifle chamber. However, they will not fully seat in a revolver cylinder. The answer is an additional operation using a Lee crimp die available for these calibers. It is a four section tool which compresses radially instead of from the top. It is called a Factory Crimp Die and worth its weight in gold. After making the bullets in my Dillon, I use this crimp die in my single stage press to make perfect fitting bullets. Hope this helps.
Quote from Reloader on September 8, 2013, 4:36 amThank you, my un-met friend. Followed your advice and I am now blazing away with my (until now) barely used Vaquero. I was on the verge of selling this gun, but I am now enjoying it. I had continued my search for the fix, have seen dozens of suggested solutions, and none of them worked or showed the promise to work. I finally did another web search, which brought me to my original post. Under it was your solution. I can honestly say, you are the only one with this suggestion, and I can further state only your fine idea will work. Thanks very much, again!!
Thank you, my un-met friend. Followed your advice and I am now blazing away with my (until now) barely used Vaquero. I was on the verge of selling this gun, but I am now enjoying it. I had continued my search for the fix, have seen dozens of suggested solutions, and none of them worked or showed the promise to work. I finally did another web search, which brought me to my original post. Under it was your solution. I can honestly say, you are the only one with this suggestion, and I can further state only your fine idea will work. Thanks very much, again!!
Quote from Reloader on September 8, 2013, 4:52 amOne last thing regarding Irpnrider's suggestion: I called Ruger and was told that under no circumstances would they consider modifying a gun they had previously sold to a retailer. They seemed a little put out I would even ask. Now that my rounds drop into the cylinder, thanks to Willy49's advice, target grouping is very good; therefore sizing must be OK.
One last thing regarding Irpnrider's suggestion: I called Ruger and was told that under no circumstances would they consider modifying a gun they had previously sold to a retailer. They seemed a little put out I would even ask. Now that my rounds drop into the cylinder, thanks to Willy49's advice, target grouping is very good; therefore sizing must be OK.