.44-40 for Deer?

madtrapper143

madtrapper143

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Gentlemen: I have just obtained a very nice Winchester M92 in .44-40. It is the SRC version. I used a Remington pump in .44-40 on pests on the family farm years ago but never shot anything bigger than a coyote. Has anyone hunted deer sized game with a .44-40? Any comments on range limitations etc?

cheers Darryl
 
44-40 for deer

Just going by historical information. A tremendous amount of game has been shot, and killed, with the 44-40. When I was a kid in northern Saskatchewan a trapper I knew shot moose with his. Another fellow I knew shot game with a 38-40, which is less potent than a 44-40.
If you solidly hit a deer in the front half of him, you will have venison. So, it boils down to what range you can make a solid hit at. That may be about 75 yards, which is a greater distance than the archers can get a good hit with an arrow!
 
The old 45LC, 44-40 and 30-30 fed most of the US of A for the better part of 100yrs. It will most certainly work on deer today. I like what FN cast bullets do when they hit things. If memory serves me, that would be in the 200ish grain range.

Get close, put the slug in the boiler room, eat venison.

Jerry
 
44-40

Just to add a little more here. The book, Cartridges of the World, states the fact that since this calibre was also used in revolvers, the pressures of the factory cartridges were kept down to revolver pressures and all factory cartridges are at the low level.
They state that handloading can bring the loads up to the 44 magnum class, for use in suitable rifles, only.
 
Just be careful as there were a variety of brass strengths made over time. Even today, brass is not made to particularly strong levels (thin necks). Some of the old stuff is down right 'weak' - suitable only to black powder pressures.

Unlike the 45LC. New brass is as strong or stronger then 44mag brass. Not too long ago, it was strong enough to run at what is now 454 Casull levels. yes, right up there in rifle pressure category in a revolver - YIKES!!!

They just finalized the Casull case to be longer so shooters using OLD 45LC brass wouldn't blow themselves up. Essentially, a 'magnum' Long Colt.

I am presently using Starline 45LC brass and this stuff is TOUGH. I also used some Rem 44-40. Not so impressive but way strong enough for listed loads.

With a modern Win lever action if built to strong specs, you will be able to open the throttle quite a bit. The brass will show over pressure pretty quick so keep an eye on that.

These cartridges are about launching big hunk 'o lead. not about speed. You will be surprised at how well these cartridges thump things when compared to modern high pressure HG loads like the 357 Mag/9mm/40S&W.

Jerry
 
I will be using standard Winchester 200 grain loads at about 1200 FPS. The way I look at it it will be a 100 yard rifle. Now as a point of interest my huntin buddy and I have kept track of yardages of shot deer over the past 15 years here in NW Ontario. The longest was 275 with a 7MM 08. The shortest was 15 yards with a .308. The average we come up with (not by math but by sheer number of shots) puts the range at about 60 yards. I think the old .44 WCF will do the trick. Thanks for the input guys it is appreciated.

cheers Darryl
 
Go get the game, personally, I think that there are better choices.
Not trying to start a war, but with limited time available, a smaller hunting area and proberly a limited choice of what you are going to see, I personally think that there are better choices.
 
I tend to agree,
At 1200fps factory load is pretty anemic :(
I would however use the old .44 with some decent handloads, even an easily attainable 1600fps is about a 25% improvement :runaway::D
 
The .44-40 did quite well when deer hunting was looked at as a short-range proposition. At up to about 100 yards, it oughtta do just fine. You're experienced, live where there's lots of deer, and have a long season. I'm sure you can pass up iffy shots. With the mindset of modern hunters, myself included, it's really an expert's rifle. I wouldn't send a newbie out with one.
 
I do have some experience,a long season and LOT's of deer to choose from. I am confident that a broadside meat doe at 60 yards will be in a lot of trouble.I do agree that there are numerous rounds that will work better. I was just looking for any actual experience in case there were some hooror stories I should be aware. Good comments guys.

cheers Darryl
 
I bought my 92 SRC from an older fella who claims he took three moose with it at 50-75 yard distances. I dont' doubt it, those slow movers do a pretty good job within a certain distance if you point it in the right direction.
 
Those big heavy lead pills remind me of a bowling ball.
It really doesn't matter how fast it's going, if you drop one on your toe, it's gonna hurt.
That said, I'd limit my shots to 50 yards and under.
I tried my Uberti 1866 Yellow Boy in some close range/heavy cover areas last year with some success, just to "blood" my CAS primary rifle.
 
I looked long and hard a the Uberti Yellowboy for CAS. The price sacred me and I was able to get a real Winchester 92 for about 1/2 the price. From what I have read and seen the 92 action is much stronger than the toggle 66. I must admit the yellow boy is a cool looking carbine.

cheers Darryl
 
I've used the 44-40 on deer, once so far.
The load, was 900fps. Can't remember the bullet, but it may have been a Winchester bulk bullet.
Why so slow? because at the time, it was the most accurate load I had. I had imposed a limit of fifty yards for the load.
The deer (100 lb doe) was shot at 50 feet, (not yards) hopped twice, rolled on her back down the hill, kicked a couple of times, and died. Complete penetration.
My next attempt, will be this year, now with a 1300fps accurate load.
I can extend the range to 100 yards.
The bullet will be a Hornady 200 grain Interlock, sized like a lead bullet to .4275
 
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Tell me more. Can I run Hornady 200 grain bullets (.429) intended for the .44 magnum through a Lee .427 swager (sizer) ? Will the jacketed bullet size? I would like to know what powder and loads if you don't mind.

thanks Darryl
 
That's exactly how I do it. I use Lee case lube to lube the bullets, just put a bit in a margarine tub and shake.
20 grains of 5744 under the resized 200 grain Hornady is my most accurate load to date. it's running 1250 fps.
 
madtrapper143 said:
I looked long and hard a the Uberti Yellowboy for CAS. The price sacred me and I was able to get a real Winchester 92 for about 1/2 the price. From what I have read and seen the 92 action is much stronger than the toggle 66. I must admit the yellow boy is a cool looking carbine.

cheers Darryl
Click to expand...
Yeah, they can be pricey if you can't locate a good 2nd hand.
I liked the slick action of the 1860, 1866 and the 1873's right out of the box.
Nothing like my '92 Rossi.
I shoot Classic Cowboy, (Senior) so that limited my choice a little.
I didn't care for the mag follower and lack of forestock on the 1860 but liked the look of the "brass" receiver over the '73 case hardened version.
 
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