Question about correct caliber for hunting

[Don McDowell]

If you can , look in something like the 1916 winchester catalog, read their descriptions of the three wcf cartridges, then look in the back and look at their ballistics tables... Then someday get a 44-40 and put them to side by side comparison...
Anything a 38-40 will do a 44-40 will do just a little better at a bit further distance.
If you can get 1500 out of your 38-40, you can get the same or a bit more from the 44-40.. Actual hands on experience is a good teacher, you might try it sometime.

 

[Stony]

I've shot quite a few hogs with the 44/40, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for deer. Just not enough energy as far as I am concerned. Granted it can kill one...given perfect placement....but not a lot of hunters can guarantee a perfect situation.

 

[Don McDowell]

Stony what bullet are you shooting and what sort of penetration are you getting on those hogs?

 

[Stony]

I generally load a cast 180 gr. over HP-38. I shoot that caliber through different firearms such as SAA's, Win. 92's and a 73 among others. I seldom see a complete pass through on hogs, unless it is through the rib cage. I just don't think it has enough energy compared to more modern loads to really be a suitable caliber for larger game. Like a lot of other marginal calibers, it will kill game....but......

 

[Don McDowell]

Thanks.

 

[CraigC]

If you can , look in something like the 1916 winchester catalog, read their descriptions of the three wcf cartridges, then look in the back and look at their ballistics tables... Then someday get a 44-40 and put them to side by side comparison...
Anything a 38-40 will do a 44-40 will do just a little better at a bit further distance.
If you can get 1500 out of your 38-40, you can get the same or a bit more from the 44-40.. Actual hands on experience is a good teacher, you might try it sometime.

The 1916 Winchester catalog, seriously??? Oh well if it was printed in the marketing literature 100yrs ago then it 'must' be true.

I hate to interject a little reality into your fantasy but I think you got that backwards. If the two cases have the same capacity, how are you going to get more velocity out of a larger, heavier bullet? The same charge that yields 1475fps in the .38-40, yields 1300fps in the .44-40. Which means the .38-40 bullet is going nearly 100fps faster at 150yds. "Hands-on experience" is great but sometimes it leads to malformed seat-of-the-pants impressions that the data does not support.

Again...

So I'm curious as to what .44-40 load do you think "carries a bit further"?