.44-40 Close Range Deer Hunting

[insanelupus]

I lucked onto a Navy Arms Bisley (1873 Colt Bisley Clone) in .44-40 today.  Only two spots of minor wear and it was mine for $275, a price I could certainly live with.  I have a Navy Arms Schofield, in .45 Colt, but because of the design, I'm a bit hesitant to go over the "cowboy" SASS shooting type loads.  I probably would have bought it in .45 Colt too, but I've since taken an interest in .44-40 and voila, now I have one.  I plan to use a 200 grain JSP (first the .426 diameter, with the crimping groove where it belongs) and IMR 4227 for propellant.  I'm going to try for 900-950 fps out of the 4 3/4" barrell.  I figure for out to 35 yards or so, that will be plenty good deer medicine for the Midwest where I go on an annual deer hunt.  In addition, it should be a good winter load for Montana, where most of the bears are usually hibernating, and wolves, lions and coyotes may be the only real concern, (predator calling).  In the past my winter handgun has been a Model 27-2 S&W with 158 grain JSP @ about 1000-1100 fps.  This should be a little lighter and have more "fun factor" for me, as I'm a single action fan.

If anyone has any information about handgun hunting with the .44-40, either jacketed or lead fodder, I'd be interested in reading your experiences and the stats on your load.  Just curious what I've got to look forward too. 

[Bitterroot Bob]

Howdy,
I've been shooting a pair of 7-1/2" EMF Hartfords and an 1873 Winchester clone, all chambered in .44 WCF,  in SASS for about six years. My standard load is 6.5 grains of Unique behind a lead 200-grain RNFP sized .428". I have never used a jacketed bullet in any of my .44-40's and don't plan to. At the velocities that the cartridge is capable of, I don't believe the copper is useful in preventing leading, and is a hinderance to any sort of expansion.
Since the bullet will create a large wound-channel as-is, There's really no point in worrying about hollow-points, etc. A good lead bullet and proper shot placvement will do the job for you.
I would suggets that you consider Hodgdon's 777 black-powder substitute for your hunting load. The pressure curve is designed for your revolver, which was made to shoot heavy BP .45 Colt loads. The velocity out of your revolver will be upwards of 1000 fps, and the slug will travel like it was shot from a rifle.
I haven't spent much time with heavier 240-grain bullets, but that might be an even better option than the 200. Keep your shots within 50 yards and good luck!

Bitterroot Bob

[Lloyd Smale]

id be looking at loading 225-250 cast swc at about 900 fps out of it. It will handle loads like that and they will work fine on deer out to about 100 yards.

[MS Hitman]

A 200 grain FP cast bullet with 6.8 of Titegroup gave Jim Riggs 985 fps and 15" of penetration through wetnewsprint from his Henry copy at the '06 New Braunfels Linebaugh Seminar.  This sould be plenty to punch a hole through Bambi; I'd just watch the shots that require going through some heavy muscle and bone.