The 44-40 as a hunting round

[John Y Cannuck]

Remember, the 44-40 is as big going in, as the 270 is coming out.

Expansion for the 44-40, depends on what you hit. If it hit's no bone, don't expect a lot.
As moncoon said same size entry and exit, but, 44 cal entry and exit is pretty good to begin with.

However, on my 50 foot bear shot, I found bits of the bullet in my steak, so it did expand.

The rifle loads listed by H4831 would wreck a lot of handguns, and are stout loads for a '73 Winchester rifle. The '92 will take them in stride though and a bit more.

The original 44WCF was a black powder round. You could use them interchangeably rifle or handgun.

 

[Pathfinder]

I shot my first deer with one. It hit high in the shoulder / cns and the doe went down like a sack of rocks, not a whole lot of penetration....lucky shot with iron sights at 70-80 yards. Those factory 200gr. loads are pretty pathetic....not sure I would take that shot again but I cant argue with the results. That little Model 92 is great to handle in the woods.

 

[Northman999]

My father's first black bear, which he killed as a teenager, came via a commercial 44-40 cartridge fired from a single shot .410 bore shotgun from about fifty yards. Bear dropped right there and that was that.