Winchester Model 1873 Short Rifle .44-40 Winchester Blued Lever Action Rifle

A: No do not us anything except 44-40 Winchester in it even the 44 special operates at a much higher pressure than the 44-40 and the gun is not rated to handle that pressure

A: Rod - No, No, No. Not if you value your well being. These firearms are made for certain calibers and types of ammunition. They are engineered to withstand the operating pressures of the specified ammunition. Please, heed the manufacturers' directions. We all want you around with all ten of your fingers in good working order - and everything else.

A: Rod, no Sir. No, the bullets are very nearly the same diameter, but not the same. So the base part of the cartridge of the 44-40 is a little larger (.471 in ) than the 44 Special and Magnum (.457). The .44-40 uses bullets a few thousandths smaller that the special or magnum. Since 44Special and 44Magnum operate at higher pressure, I would not fire these for safety and warranty reasons.