According to the 1875 Winchester catalog, the velocity of the .44 Henry was "about 1,125 f.p.s." with a 200 gr. bullet.
A dissected .44 Henry cartridge had .08" of powder compression on the 28 gr. powder charge.
So, I tried 28 grs. by weight of different black powders in the .44 Special case to see what powder whose density would give a simiilar compression rate using a 200 gr. bullet from a 44 WCF mold which has a seating depth of .34". The MAV-D "Big Lube" as the same .34" seating depth.
I found that, interestingly, a settled charge of 28 grs. by weight of the SWISS b.p.'s gave a very similar compression rate as the original 44 Henry cartridge at a bullet seating depth of .34" in a W-W headstamped .44 Special case.
In testing, I found that none of the 28 gr. charges were "spot on" the "about 1,125 f.p.s." ........
average velocities - 3 rounds each - 24" barrel
Swiss 1F...... - 1,101 f.p.s.
Swiss 1 1/2F - 1,171 f.p.s.
Swiss 2F...... - 1,206 f.p.s.
Swiss 3F...... - 1,246 f.p.s.
The new lot of KIK would require quite a bit more compression. I'll test that next and post the results.
Based on some interpolation of the results of using using 40 grs of Swiss 3F in the 44-40 and 28 grs of Swiss 3F in the 44 Special, 23 grs. of Swiss 3F in the .44 Russian just may replicate the original .44 Henry ballistically.......
w44wcf