44-40 and 38/357 lever rifles

[RNE228]

I would look for 44-40 rifles for that cartridge.

Have been shooting a JM Marlin 1894CB for a while in 38/357. It is a ton of fun to shoot. But, a 44-40 would be a lot of fun to play with too especially since you have a pistol to go with it.

I appreciate all of the comments. Maybe I just find someone to buy the rounds instead of adding another caliber to deal with on the 44-40 side of things. I have a 44-40 pistol but the amount of ammo I have would last me a lifetime in a 6 shooter... and add a nice Henry 38/357 rifle

[SG29736]

I have a Marlin 44-40 and it is slick as can be. I've shot mostly black powder loads along with some smokeless.

[Bwitcher]

Henry makes the 1860 and 1866 in 44-40, and I think they also make an 1873 clone in the same caliber. They are on the pricey side, but they are nice rifles that look good and shoot very well.

I have an 1873 Winchester 357/38 rifle. It is like new. it' s a beautiful rifle. I may have shot 20 rounds through it. I also have a Henry Big Boy 44magl 44 rifle in the same condition. See my listing for the Winchester under Bwitcher. I haven't listed the Henry yet but I am willing to let them go. You are right they are hard to find and they are fun and inexpensive to shoot.

[Jimi Jah]

I got the 357 because of lower ammo costs. Currently it's around 45 cents. Reloading is also easy and cheap. I avoid buck a round calibers. That takes the joy out quickly.

[EasyAmbition2310]

1886s are the coolest lever gun, but only in 45-70 or 45-90.

You should go for an 1873 or 1892 reproduction, or spend $3k at auction on an antique rifle.

Both were originally chambered in 44-40. The brass block, dust cover and the form of the 1873 is very sexy. But the 1892 is more technologically advanced. The biggest difference between the two that you'll first discover is that the 1873 is very heavy compared to the 1892. So if weight is a factor, get an 1892. If you're a big fan of copper alloys, get an 1873.

The 1866 was originally chambered in 44 RF, which is very hard to find. And the reproductions are steel with a brasslite finish. I'd stay away from the reproductions 1866s because they are not solid brass, which is lame, and you have a bunch of 44-40 not 44 RF.

[Cowboy T]

I can speak to the good performance of both Rossi and Henry leverguns. My Henry is in .45 (Long) Colt, and the Rossi is in .38/357. Both are a hoot to shoot. Reloading for both rounds is also quite easy. Like Jimi Jah said, I would avoid a buck a round, as .45 Colt is if you buy factory ammo...but since I reload, it's way, way lower than a buck a round. It's actually affordable to shoot, even stout "Buffalo Bore" type loads.

So, you really can't go wrong with either one.

If you want to shoot .44-40, then by all means, do so. Have fun with it. But for practicality, I'd say .38/357 is the best way to go.