Thread: Chasing The 44-40 Youtube Channel

Hey guys, I decided to start the youtube channel back up. Nothing there yet but an intro trailer. Hopefully we'll get some videos up soon. Since it is focused on the 44-40, content may be slow.
Gonna need a lot of feedback, wants and wishes to help get it going.

I'll probably start off with some groundhog/pest hunting and some targets out to 300 yards. I did order one of those Longshot Marksman target cameras...maybe I can get enough content for a few episodes from those subjects. There is always history, handloading and all that other fun stuff.

Website link: https://www.44-40.org/youtube-video-links
Youtube Channel link: https://www.youtube.com/@ChasingThe44WCF

cheers,
The next 2 calibers i would like to add to my cabinet would be 44-40 and 22 hornet.
Hornet for pest contol and goats.

You can probably help me with the 44-40, I understand that there are a couple of differant action designs. (Lever guns)
To make it work for me I need to get the velocity up to the 16-1700fps for 100 mtr shots on deer , goats.
Z

Thanks guys!!

ZQLewis, I will try to get some HV load videos recored and post for ya. 1,600fps is about the most I push my Marlin...accuracy may be questionable at 100 yards.

To be honest you dont need that kind of velocity foir hunting with the .44-40 : 1200 fps (black powder) or 1350fps (smokeless) will kill red deer just fine at 100m.
I have high velocity loads ( at 1750fps) but havn't used them on game

That is correct, 1,300fps is plenty for deer. All the deer in my 1st episode were killed with normal loads.

However, the 44 W.H.V. loads were manufactured by Winchester from 1903 until 1943....40 YEARS!!!!!!
To be clear, these loads generated 1,570fps and 18,000cup by 1943. Modern 1,700fps loads can generate a horrendous amount of pressures depending on the powders used. Yeap, great content for a video!!!

I pushed some Unique loads to 1,635 fps loads and developed about 25,000cup!!!

I achieved 1,568fps using original Sharpshooter smokeless powder at an amazing 18,420cup. The closest I could get with modern smokeless powder was from using Reloder 7... 1,586fps @ a low 16,000cup. This is why we use the appropriate rifle powder, rather than trying to use pistol powders.


Unique - 1,469fps at 21,084fps
IMR4198 - 1,512fps at 18,000cup
Reloder 7 - 1,586fps at 16,000cup

Read this data carefully


1,300fps
Accuracy at 200 yards, 7.5 inches, bullet drop is 16 inches

Winchester advertised the 44 W.H.V. as to "flatten the trajectory", rather than advertising more power. The same was done with the 38-40.

Episode 1 - https://youtu.be/UC6iomNpzIo?si=aAfllIhFRiiOj-A_

Originally Posted by ZQLewis

cheers,
You can probably help me with the 44-40, I understand that there are a couple of differant action designs. (Lever guns)
To make it work for me I need to get the velocity up to the 16-1700fps for 100 mtr shots on deer , goats.
Z

Here is what I have on the 44 WHV cartridges....I think I can come up with enough for a video.

So Reloader RL7 is good for 1500 fps,
So the model 92 action is stronger than the model 73?.
Z

Yes the model 92 is stronger than the model 73. However, the toggle link 73 action is stronger than people think, and with modern steel Uberti chambers the .44 magnum in their '73 replicas. (I have seen results of pressure tests by Winchester on the model 73 and the barrel fails before the toggle link action does.)

In my smokeless loading I have found : (All in 20' carbines model 92 or '73)

26 grains of Reloader 7 and a 200 grain bullet will get you 1350-1400 fps depending on your rifle. *
26 grains of AR2207 / H4198 will get you 1300-1350 fps. *
24 grains of AR2205 / H4227 will get 1600 fps (1700fps in a 24 inch rifle) ('92 only)
10 grains of AP70N / Universal / Unique for 1350 fps.

All require a solid crimp using a Lee Crimp die to get a full powder burn.

*Both these first loads are safe in the '92 or the model '73. Both are bulk smokeless loads ie: the powder fills the case and supports the bullet, like black powder does. There is no need for a crimp underneath the bullet for support as is needed for smaller amounts of smokeless powder. (The .44 WCF cases are thin and the crimp at the case mouth will not support the bullet against teh spring pressure of a lever action magazine. If you run a whole magazine through the rifle, bullets will start telescoping back back into the cases. This is not really a problem for shooting just at the range, but is an issue for ammo intended for hunting.)

The last two loads do not fill the case, and will require a second crimp underneath the bullet in the body of the case, or, should be only used at the range, where the ammo will be just loaded and shot off, and not be loaded in and out of the rifle, as it would be on hunting trips. (A crimp into the case body is advanced .44 WCF loading and will require a special lecture and the making of a handy dandy tool to achieve it. (Easy though))

You dont need to get hung up on trying to turn a .44-40 into a .44 Magnum - you can do it in a model '92 - but you dont need to. A 200 grain lead bullet propelled at 1200-1300fps by black powder will exit on a mature red deer at 75 metres.

The next video turned into a 100 yard re-zero...LOL

After the video, I installed the new mount, so.......maybe some more later.

https://youtu.be/aKAgLbXIZUg?si=0SpjXE2686gtlvL0

200 yards Part 1