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Posted: 5/29/2026 12:18:22 PM EDT
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Had an interesting conversion with an "expert" on the Henry Model 1860 today..... We know the .44 Henry cartridge is the original caliber BUT what is the closest modern equivalent (in regard to the modern Henry reproduction)? Is it the 44-40 or the .45 Long Colt ? What is the closest of the two to the .44 Henry ? Thanks. |
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.45 Colt wasn’t even a lever gun cartridge in the 1800s. The .44-40 is a fun gun and a legit old cartridge. I have had a Winchester 92 in .44-40 for a couple years. It’s .44 special like. You can load mild with fast powders or pretty darn powerful but shy of .44 mag using magnum pistol or fast rifle powders. It’s available as factory ammo in limited and expensive runs but a great reloader’s cartridge. I cast bullets for mine. Mine has only seen cast lead. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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Originally Posted By wvfarrier: 44-40 black powder loads are a hoot amd darn close to 44 rimfire They are fun. I never loaded any but I shot another fellow’s gun and they were fun! It set the hook for me, his was shooting an original 92 with BP, Mine is a miroku made but it’s a great solid rifle. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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I have brass and dies for 44 Henry centerfire - haven't done anything with them. Guns could be converted from rimfire. I have two Winchester 1866's (1870 rifle in rimfire and 1872 carbine in centerfire). My first model Henry is in rimfire ....    |
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The rim on 45 Colt was too small for use in a lever gun made in the 1800s. Manufacturing tolerances were not tight enough then to make a lever rifle which would reliably feed 45 Colt. The 44 Winchester Center Fire, AKA: 44-40, was designed for the Winchester 73. A cartridge made to work in the gun they could produce at that time. Trust me, if Winchester could have made a 73 or 92 which would feed 45 Colt and pair with all the 45 Colt revolvers made, they would have. As to OP’s question, the answer is 44-40. |
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To fabricate your own 44 Henry Centerfire cartridges, the closest modern cartridge would be cutting 44 Special down to 44 Henry length. Then you'll need to force them through a 44 S&W American sizing die (if you can get one) to get close the the 0.446" case/base diameter. Then you'll need to get your hands on some 44 cal 0.446" heeled bullets. Then either get a 44 cal heeled bullet crimper or fabricate a crimping tool. Or, all of the above starting with 41 mag brass. This would need a little neck expanding rather than base sizing and might be slightly easier. The issue is that the 44 Henry was a true 44cal bore and the cartridge was a heeled design with the bullet and case the same diameter of 0.446". Modern straight walled 44's have a case dia of 0.457" and a bullet dia of 0.429. The 44-40 and 45 Colt are an even larger case/rim dia. MLG |
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