Richard Mason and Mason 44 cartridge

Geri

March 16, 2012 08:58

What were the dimensions of the 44 cartridge that these revolvers used?

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  rufe-snow

  March 16, 2012 09:18

  It's listed in COW as the 44 Colt. OAL=1.50, case length=1.10, rim=.483, base=.456, bullet diameter=.443.

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  tsr1965

  March 16, 2012 10:17

  If it was the 44 Colt, then UltraMax ammo, has recently made some new ammunition in that chambering. I have seen it listed. I have also personally bought the 41 Colt ammo made by Ultramax, and the 38 WCF(38-40). It works great.
  
  Best

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  v35

  March 16, 2012 19:34

  41LC and 38-40 can be easily be reloaded.
  38-40 brass can be made from more available 44-40 brass in one pass thru the fl die. 41LC is easier using hollow base bullets but can't use 38-40 bullets despite bores being the same.
  PS That Ithaca set would justify a higher grade buttstock and refinish.
  A nice cased outfit.

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  machine gun moran

  March 18, 2012 11:42

  I reload this cartridge using Lee .44 Russian dies and Starline brass. The brass is essentially a slightly shortened .44 Special, with a smaller-diameter rim. Folks on the internet have suggested using a shell holder for the 30-30 or the .41 Mag, but I have found that an RCBS .44 Special/Mag shell holder is perfect; the lips on that shell holder reach in closer to the case head right above the rim than other makes of .44 shell holders, giving the maximum amount of rim to mate with the undersurface of the shellholder lips.
  
  v35, I reload the 38-40 too, and I agree that it is easy to reload, contrary to a lot of what I've read on the net. I use a Redding competition seater to ensure concentricity of case neck with case body. I use .403 bullets (cast fairly soft) because that is the diameter of my chamber throats, although my bore is .400. The .400's leaded very badly, but the .403's do not lead at all, and pressure does not seem to be much affected. I use 8.5 grains of Unique.

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  Hawk Carse

  March 18, 2012 18:35

  Note that the original .44 Colt is a true .44 with bullet diameter =.443 inch; outside lubricated.
  
  The new ammunition, components, and dies are the same as .44 Russian and Special except for case length and rim diameter. It uses the same .429" inside lubricated bullets as those later cartridges for modern made reproduction revolvers. Doubt it would shoot at all well in an original.

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  v35

  March 20, 2012 10:04

  The .383 or so 41LC hollow base bullet doesn't shoot all that badly despite being way undersize for the 401 bore in the Thunderer.

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