I guess with the newer loadings for the .44mag, it can do some marvelous things. Which makes me wonder, I take it that a .444 Marlin or the .45.70 can do triple and quadruple the damage/performance that any .44 Rem mag can do, right? Longer case for the above mentioned cartridges equals more powder, creating better performance???

Question here for you guys that know much about the .44mag...(I know I don't know that much about the better bullets of today.) If I use my Winchester .44mag carbine lever action, will it hurt the gun, using some of the hard cast, big and powerful newer loads some of you guys mentioned here? I'd love to shoot something over 300 grains, but I don't want to put a harsh pounding on the gun. Also, with the heavier bullets, doesn't a person loose velocity and perhaps over all power? I'm guessing that with the heavier the bullet, the smaller volume of powder in the case because of the bigger size bullet takes up more space for smokeless powder. Doesn't that make sense?

I thought one could only put in so much powder and the bigger the bullet gets, the less powder it has to keep the velocity up.

Oh, Boddington's book was published in 1995 so you guys are correct about being some old data. The book was written 7 years ago and I do know that bullet technology has improved since then too. Maybe today Boddington would feel different about the .44mag vs. 30-30 debate.

Thanks for the "411" guys. -Hk.