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).
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).