Oh yeah, it’s deadly out to about 150yds. Maybe 100.
Even when full packed with black powder the muzzle velocity was 1800fps for a 200gr .44 bullet with a .16 ballistic coefficient. It slows down fast.
Modern smokeless versions are down around 1200fps.
Pekid for a rifle round.
When Fetterman, in 1866, violated his orders and ended up getting himself and all his men killed, his troops used muzzle loading rifles. Two civilian scouts with him had the latest .44 rimfire Henry rifles and made a great showing until they ran out of ammo, then they also were killed.
In tracing the empty cases in grass and snow, there were huge glouts of blood in front of where they were shooting, and lots of dead horses. The Indians had carried off their dead. I would not want to be hit with even one of these.
Then there was the Civil War Kentucky man who shot dead 12 guerillas with 13 shots from his .44 rimfire rifle.
***Modern smokeless versions are down around 1200fps.**
True. I believe the manufacturers are afraid a hot load will blow up a black powder pistol.
In the 1892 rifle, the 44-40 can be loaded up to almost 44 magnum velocities and pressures. Think of what that will do to a handgun.