Affiliate Disclosure: AmmoCave.com sometimes gets paid for listings, through sponsors or affiliate programs like Lucky Gunner, Optics Planet, Brownells, Cabelas, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Rainier Arms, Palmetto State Armory, Sportsman’s Guide, Ammo.com, Ammo Man, Primary Arms, MidWayUsa, Amazon, eBay, etс. Clicking a link helps keep AmmoCave.com free, at no extra cost to you!
Authors: Each article is verified by AmmoCave's expert team. Professional hunters, firearm trainers, gunsmiths, and gun experts write the articles. AmmoCave Team independently researches, tests, reviews, and uses recommendations from our community of gun owners. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any agency's official policy or position. The articles are for informational purposes only, share your opinions about Best 44-40 WCF Ammo in the comments and join the discussions. Let's share 💬 our ammo & gun experiences together!
What is 44-40 WCF Ammo? 🧐
It is a type of centerfire rifle cartridge developed by the legendary gun maker Oliver F. Winchester in 1873. This round was extremely popular due to its reputation for being powerful and accurate, making it a favorite among hunters, target shooters, and law enforcement professionals alike.
Features 💡
The 44-40 WCF (Winchester Center Fire) ammunition is a classic cartridge used for revolver shooters, lever action rifles, and even single-shot guns.
- ❇️ It was introduced by Winchester in 1873 and quickly became one of the most popular rounds on the market.
- ❇️ It has been used for hunting, target shooting, self-defense, and even cowboy action shooting.
- ❇️ This ammo is a rimmed, bottlenecked cartridge with a .429-inch bullet diameter and an overall length of 1.6 inches.
- ❇️ It has a muzzle velocity of 1,300 feet per second and can reach targets up to 300 yards away when fired from the right gun.
- ❇️ Its flat-shooting trajectory makes it ideal for hunting and target shooting, while its moderate recoil and affordability make it a great choice for self-defense.
🔍 When choosing, a few key features are important to consider.
- 🔶 Firstly, you need to think about the Load Velocity – this figure tells you how much energy is transferred from the round when it’s fired.
- 🔶Then there’s Powder Charge – this will determine how fast the projectile travels about its size.
- 🔶 Finally, there’s Bullet Weight – the larger the bullet, the more powerful the round will be upon impact.
- 🔶 You should also pay attention to the Penetration and Expansion of your chosen ammo. The amount of penetration can vary greatly depending on factors such as construction material and weight.
Benefits ✨
The 44-40 WCF ammo is one of the most powerful and versatile calibers available to shooters today.
- ✳️ One of the major benefits is its versatility. It can be used in a variety of firearms, from lever and pump action rifles to handguns.
- ✳️ It also provides incredible accuracy and power. Its velocity is fast enough to reliably take down the game, yet it still has manageable recoil so it’s comfortable enough to shoot multiple rounds without fatigue.
- ✳️ Plus, its flat trajectory makes it easier to hit targets accurately over long distances.
- ✳️ This ammo is also known for its reliability; it’s reliable in any weather conditions and doesn’t suffer from jamming like other calibers. This means that you can count on it to get the job done when you need it most.
- ✳️ Finally, it is an affordable option for shooters of all budgets. Because this round does not require special equipment or expensive reloading supplies, it’s easy to find quality ammunition at a price that won’t break the bank.
Trajectory & Bullet drop 🎯
The 44-40 WCF Ammo is a classic cartridge with a long history and it can still be found in many hunting rifles.
- 💥 At 100 yards, this ammo will have dropped about 4 inches with a velocity of around 1,350 fps.
- 💥 At 200 yards, you can expect the bullet to drop around 17 inches while maintaining roughly 1,175 fps in velocity.
- 💥 The maximum range of this particular ammunition generally sits between 400-500 yards due to its reduced velocity at longer distances.
😉 Knowing the bullet drop of this type of ammo will help you make sure that you can hit your target at longer ranges.
📌 To summarize, knowing the trajectory and bullet drop of this ammo is essential for any shooter who wants to maximize accuracy when shooting with this type of ammunition.
Best 🌟 44-40 WCF Ammo Reviews
1# 44-40 WCF – 200 Grain RNFP – Black Hills Cowboy
The 44-40 WCF cartridge was invented in 1873 and was originally one of the most influential rounds of the West. This multipurpose, high-powered cartridge was used in both the Winchester Model 1873 rifle and multiple handguns. Although it is no longer used for self-defense, the 44-40 WCF is still popular for target practice and cowboy action shooting. The Black Hills company is known for manufacturing highly accurate ammunition, and their cowboy ammo is no different. The flat-point bullets will help cut clean round holes in the paper target for easy scoring. Order your box of 44-40 WCF cartridges today and experience the power of this legendary round!
2# 44-40 Win – 205 Grain Lead Flat Nose – Hornady Cowboy
If you’re searching for cowboy action ammunition, you need to check out Hornady’s 44-40 Win 205 grain LFN. These 20 rounds are designed and manufactured to perform flawlessly, giving you a great day at the range. The 205-grain lead flat nose projectile is made to flatten at the target instead of fragmenting, and the propellants are clean burning. The bullet is also diamond knurled, meaning it is lubed the entire length of the bearing surface. Order and try it just now!
Black powder cartridge loading 🛠️
- 🟣 Black powder cartridge loads are essentially the same as modern ammunition types.
- 🟣 The main difference is that they use black powder in place of smokeless propellants, such as nitrocellulose or cordite.
- 🟣 These cartridges typically come pre-loaded with primer and bullet, making them easier to transport than separate components. Upon firing, the pressure within the chamber expands and forces the bullet out of the muzzle at high speeds.
🤠 The 44-40 WCF is one of the most popular black powder cartridges on the market today and has been used in many lever action rifles since its introduction over 125 years ago. This cartridge works great for hunting medium-sized games and offers good accuracy, even at longer distances.
FAQ 🤠
- 🔰 A 44-40 bullet is a .424 caliber bullet that is about .94 inches long.
- 🔰 It has a brass cartridge case and typically weighs about 220 grains.
Conclusion 🙂
44-40 WCF ammo is a great choice for anyone searching for an affordable round that can be used for hunting or target shooting. This ammo is available in a variety of brands and bullet types, so you’re sure to find the perfect round for your needs. Thanks for reading our buyer’s guide! ❤️🔥
I have been searching online for rounds of 44-40, but I have had no luck so far. I’m wondering if all manufacturers have discontinued producing 44-40 rounds.
If you want to shoot it, you’ll have to hand-load the rounds yourself. This means you’ll need to acquire reloading gear and perhaps some lead-casting equipment.
I’m a bit confused about the 44-40 rounds for my gun. I’ve seen some available online, but they all seem to have different looks. Can my gun shoot both 44 and 40 rounds? I’m a bit lost here.
Inconsistency in cartridge nomenclature is a common issue, and there are no dumb questions about it. During the black powder era, cartridges were filled with as much powder as possible while still allowing room for bullet seating. This led to cartridges being named after their caliber and the weight of black powder they held, such as 45-70, 38-55, and your example, 44-40. Winchester also marked their rifles and ammunition with the designation .44 WCF, which stood for Winchester Center Fire. However, when other manufacturers like UMC started producing the ammunition, they referred to it as 44-40 to avoid using the Winchester name. It’s also worth noting that the 44-40 cartridge is not a .44 caliber, but slightly under .43 caliber due to the design transition from heeled bullets to modern bullets. Overall, cartridge names can be confusing and inconsistent, and it’s understandable to have questions about them.
The question posed is whether the 44-40 cartridge is still a practical option for use with a classic ’73 Winchester rifle. I am curious whether the cartridge can be utilized for purposes other than competitions.
In my opinion, I wouldn’t rely on factory-made 44-40 rounds for taking down a deer beyond 50-60 yards since they are all light pistol loads. If you plan to use the firearm for hunting or other activities, then reloading the rounds yourself may allow you to extend the range to around 100 yards. Ultimately, it depends on what you plan to use the firearm for.
In my opinion, 44-40 is still a practical cartridge for certain purposes. It can be used for hunting at close ranges and is a good choice if you want to shoot black powder out of a ’73 Winchester. However, it can be expensive and hard to find. On the other hand, .45lc is a bit more expensive, but it’s more abundant and can be loaded to shoot similarly to 44-40. It’s also easier to reload than 44-40 because it is straight-walled.
In my experience, the 44/40 can be a very practical and effective lever gun cartridge if loaded correctly. Although I wouldn’t attempt to hunt anything past 200 yards with it, I have had some success with 300-yard shots on steel targets. However, I still wouldn’t rely on it for hunting at that range. It’s important to keep in mind that the ’73 Winchester action is not as strong as some others, so it’s important to stick to lower velocity loads to avoid damaging the action.