94 Winchester in 44-40

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gundownunder
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94 Winchester in 44-40

Post by gundownunder »

We seem to get a few Winchester 94s on the used gun market over here in 44-40.
With the 94 being designed for a 30-30 length cartridge, is the 44-40 in this action able to be loaded with a longer oal than it is in the 92, or 73?
I'd be curious to know if it could be loaded with 240gr - 250gr without intruding into the powder space.
Bob
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elmo123
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Re: 94 Winchester in 44-40

Post by elmo123 »

I have a 94 Trapper in 357 magnum and the action is not capable of handling cartridges that are longer than factory length. I can only assume the 94 in 44-40 is the same.
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J Miller
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Re: 94 Winchester in 44-40

Post by J Miller »

Bob,

I don't know about "all" Win 94s in the pistol calibers, but I do know about my 1985 vintage 94AE in .45 Colt. It will handle over length ammo up to 1.75" COAL.
I suspect that an AE model in 44-40 will handle cartridges somewhat longer than factory as well.

If your 94 is a pre AE model it might be less flexible to longer COAL as Winchester did change the lever throw and feed geometry when they went to the pistol caliber AE models.

Basically all you can do is make up some dummy rounds and see how it feeds.

Joe
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gundownunder
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Re: 94 Winchester in 44-40

Post by gundownunder »

Thanks Joe. That's the sort of information I'm looking for. At 1.75 it would get the job done. Most of it's loads would be standard 44-40 but about 20% would be 44-40 +P+ loads
I can't make up dummy rounds as I don't have the rifle.
I'm asking the question because I am looking at going up another level from 357 without going to full length rifle cartridges, due to reloading costs, but 44-40 would only go up another level if it can use heavier bullets than the original 200gr - 210gr, and still take a full case of powder. It wouldn't be a hunting rifle, it would be for classic caliber and rifle silhouette. At the 200 mtr steel ram a 357 factory load would actually have significantly more momentum than original 44-40 loads. The other alternatives would be 44mag/44Spl, or 45 colt with 20% of the loads again being +P+.
Bob
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J Miller
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Re: 94 Winchester in 44-40

Post by J Miller »

Bob,

I'm not sure I'd go to +P+ pressure levels in those calibers. I have the original Hodgdon (?) #26 manual and the .45 Colt Ruger - Thompson / Center loads stop at 30K PSI or CUP, not sure which. Even in the Win 94 I won't go farther than that.
One of the loads I've shot is 300 gr cast truncated cone bullet over a charge of Win 296. Out of my 16" Trapper and 20" Marlin 1894 Cowboy it's a stomper.
I don't know how much the rams weigh but I'd wager that load, or one similar would get the job done.

Joe
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mickbr
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Re: 94 Winchester in 44-40

Post by mickbr »

Do you know the barrel rate of twist for the gun, this may influence higher bullet weights as well. I found one internet reference for Win 94 in 44-40 as 1:20 which is decently tight. The Rossi 92's are all 1:30 which is slow and the Marlins are 1:38, very slow. The 1873 ubertis in the 44 cals( 44-40, 44 mag, 44 special) are all 1:20. I ended going for a 1873 in 44 mag to load it down to 44-40 levels.
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