Lindcott Armory Compare / .44-40 Winchester vs .44 Special
Cartridge comparison
.44-40 Winchester vs .44 Special
.44-40 Winchester is faster (1,400 vs 900 fps); .44-40 Winchester carries more energy (945 vs 400 ft·lb); .44 Special recoils less.
.44-40 Winchester →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.44 Special →Representative trajectory · 25 yd zero0–200 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .44-40 Winchester | .44 Special | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Pistol | Revolver |
| Introduced | 1873 | 1907 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.427″ | 0.429″ |
| Case length | 1.305″ | 1.16″ |
| Velocity | 1,150–1,400 fps | 700–900 fps |
| Energy | 585–945 ft·lb | 220–400 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 11,000 psi | 15,500 psi |
| Recoil | 6–10 ft·lb | 5–8 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 100 yd | 75 yd |
FAQs
- Is .44-40 Winchester faster than .44 Special?
- .44-40 Winchester is faster — up to 1,400 fps versus 900 fps.
- Does .44-40 Winchester hit harder than .44 Special?
- .44-40 Winchester carries more muzzle energy (945 vs 400 ft·lb).