44 W.C.F. Hunting Loads

February 9, 2018

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Finding that right hunting load...

Quite a few folks hunt with this great Cartridge. However, many shooters may not understand the cartridge's full potential although factory loads are perfectly capable of harvesting game animals...namely the Whitetail. For over 144 years, this cartridge continues to score food for the table as it has done for me!

Trying to replicate History...

It is very hard to "replicate" the original charge of black powder along with the original (427098) type lead bullet and maintain original ballistics and stay below max chamber pressures. Those early original loads catapulted a lead projectile downrange at 1,245fps and chamber pressures stayed below 13,000cup/11,000psi (SAAMI), 15,000cup/15,954psi (CIP). The bullets were lubricated well enough to lob 30 shots 110 yards downrange and all hit inside a 4" circle without cleaning the barrel between shots (Doc Pardee 1875 Winchester catalog). It just didn't get much better than that. Even today shooters such as John Kort prove the ole' cartridge and it's original ballistics by consistently hitting steel javelina at 300 meters (but with using a scope). The purpose was to prove the rifle/cartridge, not the shooter's eye sight or shooting skills! Results from my gel testing days..."75/1 bullets penetrated 27” of clear gel and expanded to .528”..."The handgun loads gave velocities from 941-963 fps at 10 ft., perforated and exited the 32” gel block"...excerpts taken from an article by Ed Harris can be found in these blog posts.

John Kort reports exerts from a reprinted "1875 Winchester catalog".

"factory 200 gr. lead bullet / 40 grs. black powder / 1,245 f.p.s

..."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 everyone 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.

..."For a sporting rifle, I think the Winchester Rifle is excelled by none. I have killed antelope, deer, and elk, with my gun, at from 200 to 400 yards. I would not exchange it for any other rifle." 

Long live the .44-40!"

Moving on up to modern factory/handload cartridges...

Modern velocities are about 1,190fps, still well plenty enough to knock down a whitetail but accuracy plummets in many cases out to and past 100 yards. In addition to many firearm's differences in barrel sizes, tolerances, projectile weights and other sizes piled up on top of a somewhat finicky to load thin-walled cartridge....the 44-40 has achieved a very unfair but understandable bad reputation.

When a person begins to understand all of these issues, learns to adapt and overcome, a whole new world will open up. The 44-40 is actually a very multifaceted cartridge. From shotshells, round ball "game getters", 180gr XTP coyote loads to 240gr deer loads...from 50 yards to 300 yard options....decisions on a load can be almost endless not to mention the fact that you are enjoying a classic rifle cartridge along with the firearms chambered for it. Most modern weapons cannot compete with that list. Let’s don't forget the revolvers too.

Now we get to the good stuff....

Looking at Lyman's reloading manual #49 page 299, (Double check my numbers) Lyman lists several powders and charges for the 44-40. In particular, Lyman lists 2400 powder in use with the Speer 200gr JSHP bullet #4425. Lyman shows they use a 24" Universal receiver with 1:36" twist for these particular tests. Cases trimmed to 1.295 and an AOL of 1.600. Lyman's measurements (plus some of my misc. measurements) with Starline brass and, using QuickLoad...gives a bullet seating depth of .313" as well as the pressures noted below. Your mileage may vary.

Lyman Manual

grains/powder/velocity/cup

Group I Rifles (weak actions) (Lyman lists ten rifles) .....That's nineteen different firearms total chambered for the 44-40

16gr/2400/1,183fps/11,900 (fps=Current Factory Velocities) Normal Loads

Group II Rifles (strong actions) (Lyman lists nine rifles) .....That's nineteen different firearms total chambered for the 44-40

18gr/2400/1,380fps/14,500 (fps=Original Historical Velocities) +P Loads due to higher than max pressures

20gr/2400/1,638fps/19,000 (fps=1903 (1910) Factory "High Velocity" Replication) +P+ Loads due to excessive high pressure

Lyman also lists Unique and IMR4227 powders for Group II Rifles

My Goals....

Personally, I will not shoot anything in my Marlin with cup estimated pressures over 22,000, we all have our limitations, right? My first goal was to replicate the 1903, more yet...the 1910 "High Velocity" ballistics.... not to try and make the 44-40 into a 44 magnum as so I have been accused. I consider these HV loads as 44-40 "+P+" loads for those that like to use the "+P" status. My second goal was to share that my first goal is not needed to kill deer, but may highly improve accuracy out to 200-300 yards....again your mileage may very!

Somewhat of a conclusion...

Reputable writers have been using and publishing the +P type loads that replicate original 1,300fps velocities (but produce higher than black powder chamber pressures) in magazines and online articles for years.

For all the nay sayers, dudes, weekend range worriers and city slickers.... the loads are right there in the reloading manual!!

Not in Lyman’s #49 but is in #47 is the 240gr lead bullet information, 23.5gr of Reloder 7 that produce 1,200fps at "Group I" rifle category pressures. The same info is/was listed on Lee's 44-40 reloading 3-die-set pamphlet.

Although the modern 1,300 fps velocities replicate original velocities using both black powder and early smokeless powder, the modern pressures generated are above SAAMI max pressures. I call modern 1,300fps velocities +P loads because of the higher than standard pressures of the earlier black powder and smokeless powder ballistics. The 1,400fps-1,600fps step in velocities I call +P+ loads.

Again not trying to make the 44-40 into a 44 magnum.... simply just trying to get that projectile downrange accurately and maintain enough energy to knock down that whitetail  The 44-40 is capable of distances further than 100 yards if the handloader does his homework.

HAPPY HUNTING!

Chamber Pressures