.44-40 vs. .45 Colt

[tx gunrunner]

If you don't reload get the 45 colt . I prefer the 44-40 after shooting it for over 20 yrs and it is perfect for black powder round . It seals the chamber and keeps the BP mess in barrel and out of the action . The bottle neck feeds better in most lever action .

[Steve51]

Congratulations on your new rifle. Considering ammo availability, I think you made a wise choice.

Now you need a .45 colt single action revolver (if you don't own one) for the perfect combo.

[Frontiersman]

I have had trouble getting the .45 chamber to seal in rifles. You can work around it, but the .44-40 is the clear solution for me. An original Henry in .44-40 is on my short list.

[tx gunrunner]

I have had trouble getting the .45 chamber to seal in rifles. You can work around it, but the .44-40 is the clear solution for me. An original Henry in .44-40 is on my short list.

I 'm getting out of the gun business because of heath . I have ton of gun stuff and 44-40 brass , powder , bullets and guns only FTF sales .

[Vaquero]

I have owned both and really like the 44-40. I shot black in mine I had it in a Marlin and sold it quite a few years ago. I now have a 45 Colt Henry Carbine. I like it as well. As far as which one is more accurate that would be a toss up as I was able to get both calibers to shoot well. I reloaded for both. As others have mentioned the 45 colt ammo if you don't reload will be easier and more reasonable to come by. One thing that isn't mentioned if you do reload there are no carbide dies for the 44-40 because it has a slight bottle neck. I am one who likes to eliminate that lubing the case step if I can with a carbide sizing die. Just more info for thought. Al

I totally agree on the 45 because of that very reason.
Love the carbide sizing dies.

RP

[Vaquero]

I have had trouble getting the .45 chamber to seal in rifles. You can work around it, but the .44-40 is the clear solution for me. An original Henry in .44-40 is on my short list.

A lot of rifles in 45 colt have large chambers,
I have found that most times it;s due to light loads.
Had this experience with my Marlin Cowboy, once I upped the loads.
I have had no more problems.

I to am planning on a 1860 sometime this year, but
it will be a 45. Besides I already load for it

RP

[Vaquero]

I have had trouble getting the .45 chamber to seal in rifles. You can work around it, but the .44-40 is the clear solution for me. An original Henry in .44-40 is on my short list.

A lot of rifles in 45 colt have large chambers. Why I don't know.
I have found that most times the problem not sealing, is due to light loads.
Had this experience with my Marlin Cowboy, once I upped the loads.
I've had no more problems.

I to am planning on a 1860 sometime this year, but
it will be a 45. Besides I already load for it

RP

[Vaquero]

I have had trouble getting the .45 chamber to seal in rifles. You can work around it, but the .44-40 is the clear solution for me. An original Henry in .44-40 is on my short list.

I 'm getting out of the gun business because of heath . I have ton of gun stuff and 44-40 brass , powder , bullets and guns only FTF sales .

Good luck with your sales.
Sorry to hear about the health.

RP

[Frontiersman]

A lot of rifles in 45 colt have large chambers,
I have found that most times it;s due to light loads.
Had this experience with my Marlin Cowboy, once I upped the loads.
I have had no more problems.
RP

Yep, that would be the problem, and that is a work around. But if you need light loads, that's not the answer.

You can also size only to the length of the seated bullet. That works pretty good, but then they won't fit in a properly chambered revolver.

You can also keep the cases annealed, so that they expand more easily. It's a lot of work.

It's easier to just tolerate the smoked cases and clean the rifle more often.

I generally save the .45 for more stout applications and use the .44 when I need something lighter.

I don't own a Henry .45, I wouldn't be surprised to find they have a better chamber.

[Vaquero]

Well my go to load now is 10.0 gr of Unique over a 255 gr cast.
Ain't nothing in the 1894, and not uncomfortable in the Vaquero, or the BH.
Same load with a 235 gr cast is the cats meow in the revolvers, just sayin.
And only shoots a little higher than the 255's.

RP