38/44 loads in the rossi 92

[Johnnyjr]

Is the rossi 92 Action strong enough
for 38/44 loads. They are a little lower
Than 357 loads. I want to use it for deer
hunting. Thanks..

[COSteve]

The Rossi 92 is chambered in 454 Casull, a 50,000 CUP peak pressure round, so yes, the Rossi can take a 38/44 at 1/2 the pressure.

[44shooter]

I believe any 357 magnum can take 38/44 loads, but few 38 specials can

[AJMD429]

.
I'm not a gunsmith, but I'd be confident in the Rossi 92 strength vs a 38/44 'chambered' (maybe a better word would be 'rated') - which I think would include a '357 Mag' and even a '38 Special' marked rifle barrel.

I thought they did make some of the hyphenated cartridges too, like 38-40 and 44-40, which would be cool...would LOVE a 32-20...

But like others have said, the action holds up to larger, higher-pressure rounds (the 454 is engineered slightly differently I believe, but the 44 Mag and 357 Mag are high pressure and require large holes in the front of the receiver (where the Marlins seem to fail when hot-rodded), and do fine. Not sure the pressure of either of the 38/44's I've heard of, but the 'common' one as I understand it was essentially a 38 Special +P for the S&W 'Heavy Duty model 20' and 'Outdoorsman model 23' that were 44 Mag Triple-lock framed 38 caliber revolvers, and the other was an obsolete cartridge unique to the S&W Model No. 3, 38-44, but along the same premise - a larger-than-normal frame to facilitate a 'magnum' load before that terminology came into being.

So I can't imagine either stressing a modern lever action 92 clone with a 1930's revolver cartridge that is equal or lesser diameter than a 357 Magnum and of lesser pressure.

[KWK]

Is the Rossi 92 Action strong enough for 38/44 loads.

Yes, of course. Pressures in the 38/44 appear to have been no more than modern 357 pressure levels, in the low to mid 30s. There still exist 357 data (CUP) in the 40s.

Sharpe's book from the era lists 38/44 level loads at only 21,000, but I think that was a lab error. QuickLoad estimates around 26,000.

Why not just shoot 357 in your Rossi? Do you have an old 38/44 revolver and wish to use the same ammo in both?

[Johnnyjr]

I just enjoy the 38/44 so much. It's a real pleasure to shoot out of my s&w 686. Accurate at 50 yards the farthest I have tried. I appreciate your reply. I will be loading up a few 358156 and 358429.. johnny. If it warms up some.

[Johnnyjr]

I've tried a few loads in my Rossi 92.
The 38-44 with 170 gr 358429 cast bullets.
12 gr of 2400. About 1500 fps. Accuracy at 50 yards is close to 3 inches.
I think this will be a great deer load at 50 to maybe 70 yards. Any thoughts on this??

[Grizz]

I've tried a few loads in my Rossi 92.
The 38-44 with 170 gr 358429 cast bullets.
12 gr of 2400. About 1500 fps. Accuracy at 50 yards is close to 3 inches.
I think this will be a great deer load at 50 to maybe 70 yards. Any thoughts on this??

sounds like a good deer load to me. it has more to do with the bullet technology than the ballistics

can you post a photo of your load with a 357 mag load for comparison?

first time I've ever heard of the 38-44. thanks

grizz

[Scott Tschirhart]

Yes, I really like 170 gr Keith bullets over 11 gr of 2400 and it will shoot well in many .357s.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I never had put this 11 gr load across the chronograph until today.

S&W 640 2 inch barrel averages 1021

Ruger Flattop 4 5/8 inch averages 1187

20 inch Marlin 94 averages 1458

[Johnnyjr]

That's the same bullet I use. ? 358429 ??

[Scott Tschirhart]

That's the same bullet I use. ? 358429 ??

It’s very close. This is a Rim Rock 170 gr bullet.

[Johnnyjr]

Oh yeah. So you like them pretty good..thanks.. Johnny

[Scott Tschirhart]

Yes, these are really well made. Cranking them up to .38/44 velocity puts them into a very useful power range.

[Johnnyjr]

What load are you using for your 38-44
If you don't mind me asking.. thanks,johnny

[Malamute]

The 358429 will likely bee too long in 357 cases but may be fine in 38 spl cases. Check before loading a bunch if intended primarily for the carbine.

The Browning 92 wont feed the 429421 Lyman bullet in magnum cases without work on the carrier and other details, but feeds fine in 44 spl cases.

[Scott Tschirhart]

What load are you using for your 38-44
If you don't mind me asking.. thanks,johnny

11 gr of 2400 and a standard primer. Some folks load it hotter but this is enough for my uses.

[Johnnyjr]

Same as I use. Works great.. johnny