.44-40 Winchester
Introduced in the Model 1873 rifle, the .44-40
Winchester was once to the deer hunter what the
.30-30 eventually
became. Some cartridge historians have even said that the .44-40 killed so
many deer that the
.30-30 had
been around for many years before it accounted for an equal amount of venison.
In the old high velocity factory loading, the .44-40 churned up over 1800
fps with a 200 grain bullet which compares rather closely to the performance
of the .44 Remington
Magnum in Marlin's Model 94 carbine.
The .44-40 lasted longer in Australia than in the United States; as late
as the 1970's, Winchester Model 94 carbines in this caliber were still being
made for the Australian market. Why the same rifle was not offered to U.S.
hunters will long remain a mystery. But it probably doesn't matter because
the .44-40's heyday in the U.S. was back when lever action and slide action
rifles ruled a lion's of the hunting roost and few hunters had even seen
a telescopic rifle sight.
Correct bullet diameter for the .44-40 is .427", but some rifles in this
caliber have barrel groove diameters large enough to take more readily available
.429" bullets. However, since bore and groove diameters of .44-40 rifles
vary considerably, it is best to slug the bore or make a Cerrosafe casting
of it to determine true dimensions.
Source: Hodgdon Data Manual, 26th Edition
| 44-40 Winchester Reloading Components & Accessories | |
New Unprimed PMC Brass
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Lee Shell Holder #14
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New Umprimed Winchester Brass
 |
Lee Case Length Gauge & Shell Holder
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