Accuracy/Targets

Winchester got off to a slow start advertising their rifles. The Model of 1866 was not really advertised until 1873. Information for the Winchester New Model of 1873 was not offered until early 1874 when a brochure was mailed out. Winchester first offered the 1873 advertisements in their 1875 catalog. But in August 1875, Winchester also published adds in the Forest & Stream publications.  The Targets and advertisements are listed on the main page but have also been added to the Target, Load & Development pages following this page.

Accuracy is in the eye of the beholder. For some, five shots in one hole can only be considered  "accurate", and for others...a certain group size is accurate enough to put meat on the table.

So what is considered accurate for the 44-40? Although Winchester claimed the arm was effective from 500 to 600 yards, even that I really don't know. We can learn a lot from history.  Doc Pardee, like many others,  sent in a letter to Winchester which was published in 1875 praising the arm. Doc also attached a target of which he claimed very successful. It is this target that I base the over-all expected accuracy of the arm. A simple "three shot group" does not accurately define the accuracy of the arm at any given range. This is why I use the 4" yellow target. Any single three shot group can land anywhere in the yellow and be accurate. One day the group might place high left, while the next day the group might place low right. While this may not seam like a lot at 25 or 50 yards...the spread is a bit more evident at 75, 100 and by all means, 150 yards and further. This is the reason why I want my 200 yard groups to be at or above my POA. The center of the group will be about 6 1/2" above the POA but the POI's could be between 2" and 10" above the POA, which will give a 8" to 10" group at my desired POA at 200 yards. Thus when I say my scope is "zeroed" in at 200 yards, it is really zeroed in at about 230 yards.

Rifle Powder vs Revolver Powder

Unique powder was actually introduced by Laflin & Rand back in 1900 as a "reduced rifle load" powder but is now referred to as a pistol powder. Unique is probably the best powder for 44-40 revolver loads when it comes to "velocity vs pressure". However, Unique presses the limits of accuracy and low velocities in order to be "efficient" when used in a rifle beyond 100 yards.

The 44-40 lost it's "punch" when powder "companies" stopped making powders suitable for it as a "rifle". The best rifle smokeless powder was Sharpshooter and was used by Winchester until about 1960, retaining 1,325fps then down to 1,310fps in a rifle.

For use with Standard SAAMI Pressures of 11,000psi

• Revolver - Unique/Bullesye

• Weak Action Rifle out to 100 yards- Unique/2400/.....out to 265 yards 25gr of Reloder 7 (1,300fps)

For use with higher pressures that better replicate original pressures, pre-SAAMI max recommendations, ranging from 12,000pis to "High Velocity" 18,000psi pressures.

Strong Action Rifle out to 265 yards-

• 26gr of Reloder 7 with a harder crimps (1,400 to 1,550fps) at between 10,500psi and less than 15,000psi depending on the amount of crimp I use.

• 21gr of IMR-4227 @ 1,324fps at around 12,000psi

• 10gr of Unique only produces about 1,250fps at a cost of nearly 18,000psi

• 2400 fits in as well but I didn't test this powder much beyond published loads which can be seen here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...gid=2134817374 

John Kort proved accuracy out to 300 meters (327 yards) with black powder...seen on this steel javelina. The shots were captured on video. Although using a scope, the performance was to proved the arm, not necessarily the shooter's skills. 

Fine Tuning The POA

I am gradually updating the POA marks on the target board, below left. The board has been updated several times since the photo was taken. In a perfect world (below right), this should be what it looks like on a chart.

Never underestimate the 44-40's true potential. Loaded properly to it's 1,350fps velocities, it can certainly put a hurt'n on ya at 300 yards.

Below is a chart that shows some progressive targets by year. Listed are a few out of nearly 500 targets

Link- CURRENT TARGETS -2021 Load and POA Development

I urge anyone planning on reloading this cartridge to use these pages only as a reference of what can be accomplished when the shooter/handloader does his homework. Before actually handloading for accuracy, I highly encourage the handloader to become familiar with the history and details of the cartridge itself by first visiting this internal link HANDLOADING after reading these pages. 

Although accuracy is typically preferred by every shooter, unlike paper punchers, Hunters need accuracy AND Energy in order to bring home supper. Higher velocities create lower trajectories and retain higher energy for such desired results. While punching holes in paper is pretty at only 900 fps @ 100 yards, sometimes it's best to pick it up a notch to harvest game at 300 yards. Contrary to the Liberal hunters out there, the 44-40 is capable of such performance to humanely harvest game at such distances when the shooter does his homework.

Leave the Tack Driving "Mousefarts" at the range!!!!