This is a facinating thread. Never thought I'd really want to shoot long range with my '73 24" 44WCF, but it is grabbing me now. Also have something to add here. Should interest those who've been hesitant to hunt with the 44wcf, thinking it is wimpy.
we looked over the ballistic charts in the Speer Manual and guesstimated the BC of the stubby bullet at .12 and the velocity at 1300 and looked at drop stats. Shot at a 12" steel plate at 50, 100, 150, 200. Then decided we needed to go every 20 yards because these bullets drop like a shotputt. Once we had a basic idea of where it was shooting, my son took it out for antelope on our ranch.
He took one at just over 200 yards, don't know who was more shocked, the antelope or him! Kind of a semi-educated Hail Mary shot.
Of interest to hunters or potential hunters - the bullet was 20-1 soft, .430 dia. to fit the rifles .429 bore, lubed with SPG, case filled with as much FFFg Goex (32 year old can of powder that saw Montana cold and heat every year) and compressed at least 1/8", Winchester Mag primer and Winchester brass. Assuming 1300 fps or slightly less? The bullet crashed through the center of a rib on one side, ripped up that sides lung, destroyed the top of the heart and aorta, went through the off side lung,went through the center of another rib and kept on going to points unknown. The animal dropped in its tracks, kicked for a while and expired.
Two days later,I took a mule deer buck, around 220 pounds body weight. 95 yards distant. Again, full through and through penetration through the rib cage breaking ribs going in and out. Bullet kept on going. It walked off 10 yards and dropped.
Don't hesitate to hunt with your 1873 or 1892.