An awakening with the 44-40

I blasted off about 150 rounds at my bush range. There was adiscarded old rusty culvert there. Had to try it. Ten shots, ten full penetrations, BOTH SIDES!
Most went through a second culvert behind the first penetrating at least one side
 
prosper said:
But on the other hand, just because something CAN be done doesn't necessarily mean it SHOULD be done. If the old time frontiersmen had 308s and other modern cartridges available, I doubt they'd CHOOSE the 44-40 though
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Here we go again...

the 45-70 among a host of other more powerful cartridges were available back than that were much more powerful... Why werent they using them?
Im sure there is a logical explanation:rolleyes: Other than rifle/pistol interchangabliity.
 
As a whole, North American shooters have been brain washed into thinking only high velocity can kill well - thankyou Mr. Weatherby! The fact of the matter is that low velocity often results in better bullet performance. Elmer was killing mule deer with his 4" .44 Special Triple Lock long before I was born.
 
Boomer said:
As a whole, North American shooters have been brain washed into thinking only high velocity can kill well - thankyou Mr. Weatherby! The fact of the matter is that low velocity often results in better bullet performance. Elmer was killing mule deer with his 4" .44 Special Triple Lock long before I was born.
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Well said.
 
The deer I shot this year with my 8X56MS wasn't killed with high velocity by any stretch of the imagaination, becuase of the 20" barrel for initial velocity.

It likely didn't get out the barrrel any faster than 21-2,200 FPS, which is blistering capared to the big chunck o' lead from your 44/40.
However, my bullett was ONLY 175 grains, so I guess I'm of thhe
"light bullet -high velocity " crowd!:D

Kerry jennkinson told me two years ago when I was working up loads for my Snider that he uses a hard cast in his hunting guns and it is not unusual for them to got "stem to stern" in a White tail.
That'sa gig .577 cal. bullet moving at less than 1,400 FPS.:eek:
Cat
 
As a whole, North American shooters have been brain washed into thinking only high velocity can kill well - thankyou Mr. Weatherby! The fact of the matter is that low velocity often results in better bullet performance. Elmer was killing mule deer with his 4" .44 Special Triple Lock long before I was born.
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x2

Ross Seyfried used his 45 Colt handgun in Africa to take all types of game including Cape Buffalo.

In fact he had so much confidence in it, for a period, it was all he carried.

His load was a Keith or LBT style cast bullet of heavy weight, 300+ grains, at a velocity of around 1300 fps. He said that this combination just hammered 'em :eek:
 
DarrylDB said:
Here we go again...

the 45-70 among a host of other more powerful cartridges were available back than that were much more powerful... Why werent they using them?
Im sure there is a logical explanation:rolleyes: Other than rifle/pistol interchangabliity.
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Because they were bigger, heavier, less available and more expensive. Until the winchester '95, of course.

Debate it all you want, the fact is, the 44-40 and other cartridges HAVE been surpassed. OF COURSE they still WORK within their designed limitations, it'd be stupid to argue that. But the more modern ones simply work *better*, and are more flexible, not imposing any limitations on the average shooter. This is demonstrably and visibly true, and it only takes a trip to the gun shop, outfitter, or local range to see the evidence.
 
In support of the minimalist, old stuff is better camp, we should have a contest next hunting season to see who can kill at deer with the least energy and show those with "Magnumitis" who silly they are.

I have a 303 Brit load that sends a 180gr cast at 800 fps and it's accurate at 100 yds. Other guys might want to show that Buckshot, which was used to kill countless deer by our forefathers, has been given a bad rap.

;)
 
in this era it might sound silly but "way back when", the flat- shooting- open plains- long range "magnum" was the 30/30. it set the hunting community back on it's ears.
the gun writers of that time were referring to it as a high speed lightweight bullet in comparison to the 44/40s & 45/70s etc.
nothing has changed really, except scopes ILO iron sights, so it is possible to take humane shots at longer distances... and better bullet construction.
it is also impossible to know , even in this day & age, how many deer have fallen to the 22 long rifle. them's that use them don't talk much about it.
but i recall when the 22 magnum came out in manitoba, there was suddenly a lot of battered 22 single shots from the native community floating about.
then again there wasn't magnums around when the buffalo were done in.
if all i had was a 44/40, i would use it and stay within sensible range parameters (50-75 yards).
 
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