Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General a little off the beaten path, a Model 94 in .44-40

Working with Dad's old Model 94, which he bought new around 1980 or so. It was a typical Model 94 .30-30 20" carbine. Later on he learned they were sold in Canada, in .44-40, and located an original Winchester barrel and parts. After he installed them it shoots and functions well. I've added a Lyman 66 Receiver sight and shot it with a few "cowboy" lead bullet loads.

I slugged the barrel yesterday and found the groove dia. is .4294" - so the traditional .427 or .428 bullets are not appropriate. Seems like a .44 mag pistol bullet would be a better choice. The WFN style hardcast may not feed, so that's leading me to a JHP. The Model 94 is stronger than a 1873, so I'm thinking good speed will be easily achievable with these bullets.

The goal is to kill hogs & deer with Dad's old rifle. So I'm looking (I think ) for a bullet/load that will feed well and make a good balance of expansion and penetration.

Suggestions/comments are appreciated!

I'd sure try the WFN. How about some Keith style lead bullets?

I so need to get a 44/40

I have some of the Cast Performance 255 WFN's, with plain base, and will try them. Probably won't need a deep penetrator, for an eating size hog, but may be nice to have should a big boar walk out.

I got curious and checked, and the Uberti .44-40 revo that Dad owned has a .4275 bore, which is expected, but unfortunate.

Patrick,

I have 250 gr Partitions if you want to give them a try. I will be using the 260 gr Partition in my 45 Colt M94 in March.

I think those were made in .44WCF for the Australian market, I've heard talk about it on their websites, and others.

Never seen one stateside in .44/40, anyway, and very few .44 Magnums, though they're out there.

Thanks - I'll take you up on that - if I don't use them in this I'm sure I'll use them in a .44mag #1

He told me Canada, but I've not researched it. I searched and found references to them from Australia, so I guess it could have indeed been for the land down under. Puzzling why they wouldn't ask for the .44 mag, which is a lot easier to load.

It definitely is a parts gun, though, originally a .30-30. Need to buy a blank for the rear sight dovetail