Recently I was able to perform some more chamber pressure tests with the Preassurtrace II hardware/software. Previously I had tested some 84 tests @ 10 shots per test, I just added 13 more.

This time I was able to test older powders used in the 44-40 Winchester factory cartridges as published. The purpose was to create a timeline of pressures from 1874 to present day. Keep in mind this is not an exact science with old powders, ammo, etc.

Combining data received from previous and recent test, I compiled the following results.

1874-1876 Black Powder Loads

Replicated loads shot in the aforementioned unheadstamped cases yielded two results based on Swiss FFg and Goex FFFg, 40gr loads by weight and compressed .17".

Advertised 1,325fps - 40gr/w Swiss FFg yielded 1,373fps @ 14,000psi/16,550cup.
Advertised 1,325fps - 40gr/w Goex FFFg yielded 1,356fps @ 12,648psi/14,000cup


1877 through 1890's Black Powder Loads

Replicated loads shot in W.R.A.Co., as well as REM-UMC headstamped cases yielded the following using Goex FFFg, 40gr loads by weight and compressed about .19".
Advertised 1,245fps - 40gr/w Goex FFFg yielded 1,260fps @ 10,519psi/12,500cup.


1895-1925 Smokeless Powder Loads (Dupont No. 2 "Bulk" Rifle Powder)

Replicated loads shot in 1914 smokeless powder cases yielded the following results.
Advertised 1,300fps - 17g of Dupont No. 2 yielded 1,282fps @ 10,19000psi/16,550cup.


1926-1959 Smokeless Powder Loads (Sharpshooter Rifle Powder)

Replicated loads shot in 1940's smokeless powder cases yielded the following results.
Advertised 1,300fps - 15gr of Sharpshooter yielded 1,222fps @ 9,176psi/10,846cup


1903 to 1943 .44 W.H.V. (Winchester High Velocity) Loads

Replicated loads shot in 1930's smokeless powder cases yielded the following results.
Advertised 1,564fps - 19.6g of Sharpshooter yielded 1,568fps @ 15,583psi/18,420cup.


1963 Winchester High Pressure Proof Set
No advertised information found ( no doubt)

Fired examples yielded the following results,
16.3gr of a flattened ball powder yielded 1,407fps @ 11,964psi/14,142cup.


Late 1970's Winchester Super-X hunting, "Yellow-X" loads

Fired examples yielded the following results,
7.5gr of a disk powder yielded 1,012fps @ 7,318psi/8,650cup.


1980's to present day

Fired examples, 1992 Orange Banner Super-X loads, yielded the following results,
Advertised 1,190fps - 8gr of a flake powder yielded 1,042fps @ 6,659psi/7,871cup.

Reduced recoil loads commonly referred to as "Cowboy Loads" are even slower and recorded less pressures not even worthy of posting.

For in depth details, data, photos, videos, charts and a few .gif animations,visit the 44-40 website here