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44-40 Original Ballistics

66K views 36 replies 20 participants last post by  Griffiga 
#1 ·
History indicates that the .44-40 with its original load of a 200gr lead bullet at approx 1150-1200fps from a 24" barrel was highly regarded. It was used for everything in the woods of northern Canada until the .30-30 became soundly established, but even in the '50's there were still hunters using '73's in .44-40. Obviously, ranges were relatively short with 100yds being a long shot, but I wonder just how effective it was. It was routinely used to drop 1000lb + moose in their tracks (the old through the hump shot) and would kill reliably (if not quickly) with a shot through the lungs.

My question to you all is, has anyone out there taken any deer or similar sized game with .44-40 at or close to the original ballisitics? If so, what were the results?

Also, for you cartridge collectors and history buffs, was the bullet design loaded by the factories in the early days of the round in anyway similar to Marshall's 200gr BB? His bullets seems to have a rather small meplat (out of respect for the many different rifles it is expected to feed through I imagine).
 
#29 ·
I'm shooting a original 73 Winchester Musket with a 30"barrel. Should I be getting much more velocity with standard loads than a short barrel. The barrel is in acceptable to good condition. Any special precautions as to loading data for the longer barrel? Thanks. I was going to post pics but couldn't figure it out.
 
#30 · (Edited)
Gentlemen,
May I point out that the Winchester 1973 was used Successfully for a considerable Period to take Game for Both food and defense using The Period Cartridges. How has that Capability changed over time is perhaps more to do with Hunting Techniques rather than actual original Firearm and cartridge performance.

At the Time of its Greatest use Hunting was still mostly done in the 'Traditional" Method in that the Hunter Was expected to Stalk and work in Close as Possible to his Prey, using any and all ways to remain undetected by the Prey if Possible. I am Quite Certain that the Winchester 1873, both in 44-40 and in other Cartridges, sold because it Did The Job desired effectively.

I believe a 'Deer Sized" prey stalked to within 50 yards or less would be Dead from a "Good" hit from such a Rifle and Cartridge. Of course the 1873 and 44-40 would be a Poor choice to hunt Bison at 500 Yard Ranges. But at 35 to 50 yards? I think the Hunter that Stalks his way that close will have a successful hunt Result and his family would eat well for a Goodly Time as a Benefit.

Best Regards,
Chev. William
 
#31 · (Edited)
sandog,
Thank you for the report. Interesting. Hmmmm......

By comparison, the big buck in the pic in my earlier thread was harvested with a '73 .44-40 and the shooter reported that the bullet had penetrated completely. That was a couple of years ago.

This past season he shot another buck and reported that again the bullet had penetrated completely. The bullet he used was a 200 gr. commercial cast (probably 16 BHN or so) over 777 powder for an approximate velocity of 1,200 f.p.s.

A few years ago I fired an original W.R.A. Co. .44 W.C.F. cartridge into gallon water jugs at 50 yards. The bullet hardness was 4.2 BHN which = pure lead. Est. velocity 1,300 f.p.s.

The bullet penetrated 3 jugs and was recovered in the 4th for 24+"of penetration.:)


From an 1875 Winchester catalog.....
..."I have fully tested the late improved Winchester Rifle and take pleasure in stating that it is the best rifle I have ever used. I have killed a number of deer, at distances from one to two hundred yards and in every instance, the bullet passed clean through the body."

..."I killed at a full gallop, at about 100 yards distant, a very large buck with a splendid set of antlers with the first shot. The bullet struck him in the shoulder, as he ran toward me, and after traversing the entire length of his body, tearing the lights and paunch into atoms in its course, it passed out behind through the thickest part of the ham."


..."The killing qualities, at large game, is all that could be desired, to the wonder and admiration of the guides and sportsmen who saw its working during my visit to the Adirondack woods last fall."

..."I can say for one, that I think the
Winchester Model of 1873 is the best firearm now in use for hunting and sporting; they give the best satisfaction to every one that has used them here. James Gary and C.S. Martin have killed 17 bears and 100 deer since the first of September with Model 1873.

And more recently "Doc Toombs" had posted this interesting field report on the SASS Wire:

“I took 2 deer this year with a ‘73 short rifle clone in .44 W.C.F. My hunting partner took 3 deer with a Marlin in
44 magnum. We both using hand loaded cast bullets, mine weighed 200 grains, his 240 grain. His came out of the barrel at over 1,700 f.p.s., mine came out the barrel at 1,290. All deer were shot at under 100 yards.”

The results:
- all deer dropped within 50 yards
- no bullets were recovered (complete broadside penetration)

John
 
#32 ·
My daughter has harvested two deer in the last few years with the 44/40, but out of a Model 92, loaded with 200gr XTP bullets. Despite one shot entering behind the ribs and angling forward to stop under the left shoulder, (~30" penetration) the bullet performed very well. The other bullet was not recovered, but the yearling buck went only 40 yards or so before piling up.

As CW explained, the key is taking shots within a reasonable distance.
 
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#36 · (Edited)
#34 ·
I've got to back up John Kort on this discussion. It's a mistake to focus only on the "original" velocity, which my own research showed to be more like 1250 fps from a 24" barrel.

I used to have an 1889 vintage '73 Winchester with that length barrel. I duplicated the original BP load of 40 grains including a 200g RNFP cast from the original alloy, a 1-20, tin-lead mix. Much softer than the bullets being talked about so far. With that load (lubed by the way with SPG) I was able to get a 7" 5-shot group at 200 yards from a rest on a calm day (both the wind and my nerves were calm - lol).

Dave
 
#35 ·
I used to have an 1889 vintage '73 Winchester with that length barrel. I duplicated the original BP load of 40 grains including a 200g RNFP cast from the original alloy, a 1-20, tin-lead mix. Much softer than the bullets being talked about so far. With that load (lubed by the way with SPG) I was able to get a 7" 5-shot group at 200 yards from a rest on a calm day (both the wind and my nerves were calm - lol).

Dave
Excellent shooting Dave!!!
 
#37 ·
I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the .44 WCF. Being a history buff and fan of the Indian War period, I have several weapons from the period, but one of my favorites is an old, used Navy Arms (Uberti) 73 carbine I picked up at a pawn shop over 30 years ago. I shoot factory and factory duplicated loads of around 1100 fps with a 200-225 grain cast bullet. Nobody told me at the time the round was not powerful enough to kill mule deer, and before they did, I had already killed a several. Of course the range was under 100 yards. Back in the day it was considered good enough for killing men (bad and good), deer, bear, Indians, and anything else that "needed Killin." Granted you have to use some good old common sense and take good shots, but if it works, don't fix it. PS. I have since picked up two more Uberti 73's, the 24 inch rifle and the 20 inch short rifle - both in .44 WCF.
 
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