You Don't Want 44-40

Published on April 22, 2026
Duration: 13:34

This video from InRangeTV explains why the 44-40 cartridge is generally not recommended for modern firearms enthusiasts, despite its historical significance. The instructor, with apparent expertise in firearms, details the practical disadvantages of 44-40, including ammunition scarcity and reloading difficulties, compared to more accessible modern alternatives like 357 Magnum/38 Special or 45 Colt. The core argument centers on the 44-40's historical advantage in sealing black powder fouling due to its stepped case design, a benefit largely negated by modern ammunition and firearm designs.

Quick Summary

The 44-40 cartridge, historically known as 44 Winchester Center Fire, is generally not recommended for modern firearms due to ammunition scarcity, high cost, and reloading difficulties. Its stepped case design historically offered superior sealing against black powder fouling, but this advantage is outweighed by modern impracticalities. Alternatives like 357 Magnum/38 Special or 45 Colt are far more accessible and practical for most shooters.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to 44-40
  2. 00:12Why You Don't Want 44-40 Today
  3. 00:22Modern Alternatives: 357 Magnum/38 Special
  4. 00:47Historical Context: 1873 Winchester & Colt SAA
  5. 01:14The 44 Winchester Center Fire Cartridge
  6. 01:26The 45 Colt Cartridge
  7. 01:4845 Colt and Lever Action Rifles
  8. 02:0845 Colt in Lever Action: Modern vs. Historical
  9. 02:41The Black Powder Era and Fouling
  10. 03:01Inefficiency and Fouling of Black Powder
  11. 03:13Fouling in Firearm Actions
  12. 03:41Fouling Impact on 1873 Winchester Function
  13. 04:05Fouling in Revolvers vs. Lever Actions
  14. 04:08Ammunition Logistics on the Frontier
  15. 04:25Colt's Frontier Model and 44-40
  16. 04:58Ammunition Commonality: Efficiency
  17. 05:19The Straight Wall Cartridge Issue
  18. 05:3444-40 vs. 45 Colt Case Design
  19. 05:58The Thin Wall of 44-40
  20. 06:06How 44-40 Seals the Chamber
  21. 06:37Fouling with Straight Wall Cartridges
  22. 06:57Practical Fouling Comparison: 44-40 vs. 45 Colt
  23. 07:18Long-Term Fouling Issues
  24. 07:42Ballistic Performance: Identical
  25. 07:49Why You Don't Want 44-40 in the Modern Era
  26. 07:56Exceptions: Historical Purists, Reloaders, Black Powder Shooters
  27. 08:06Reloading Challenges with 44-40
  28. 08:14Obscurity and Cost of 44-40 Components
  29. 08:35Ammunition Availability: 45 Colt vs. 44-40
  30. 09:04Premium Pricing for 44-40
  31. 09:19Identical Performance Out of the Barrel
  32. 09:26Leveraging 44-40's Black Powder Advantages
  33. 09:41Reloading 44-40: A Pain
  34. 09:49Durability Issues with 44-40 Brass
  35. 10:02Case Splitting and Collapsing
  36. 10:21Fragility of 44-40 Cases
  37. 10:30Reduced Brass Lifespan
  38. 10:43Recommendation: 357 Magnum/38 Special for Lever Guns
  39. 10:52Historical Experience: 45 Colt
  40. 11:09Historical Purist or Cleanest Black Powder
  41. 11:17The 44-40 Fouling Seal Advantage
  42. 11:23Problems with 44-40: Ammo and Components
  43. 11:34Convincing You Not to Choose 44-40
  44. 11:36Love for Lever Guns
  45. 11:44No Financial Connection to Manufacturers
  46. 11:57InRangeTV's Gun Nerd Content
  47. 12:12Black Powder Shooting Considerations
  48. 12:26Algorithm Challenges for Educational Content
  49. 12:48Support InRangeTV on Patreon
  50. 13:05Subscribe, Share, and Bell
  51. 13:08Helping Friends Make Informed Decisions
  52. 13:18A Gun You Can't Shoot Isn't Fun
  53. 13:25Conclusion and Thanks

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main reason the 44-40 cartridge is not recommended for modern firearms?

The primary reasons are the scarcity and high cost of 44-40 ammunition and reloading components. Additionally, the brass cases are fragile and prone to damage during reloading, making it a less practical choice compared to more readily available modern cartridges.

How does the 44-40 cartridge historically address black powder fouling?

The 44-40 features a stepped case design where the case wall is thicker at the base and thinner towards the mouth. When fired, this design expands to create a better seal in the chamber, significantly reducing the blowback of black powder fouling into the firearm's action.

What are better modern alternatives to the 44-40 for lever-action rifles?

For general use, 357 Magnum/38 Special is highly recommended due to ammunition availability and versatility. For a more historical experience that is still practical, 45 Colt is a good option, offering better ammunition accessibility than 44-40.

Are there any situations where the 44-40 cartridge might still be considered?

Yes, the 44-40 can be considered by historical purists who don't shoot frequently, extensive reloaders who understand the challenges, or those specifically committed to shooting black powder and leveraging its unique fouling-sealing properties. However, even then, the practical difficulties remain.

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