Is this true? The .44-40 used to be loaded to .44 Magnum levels?

44.-40 was made so that the levergun and six shooter could both be the same caliber. Thus a cowboy need only have 1 caliber but be able to use both guns. It was a compromise in the power category for that reason. I would be leery of anyone who said they loaded it to 44mag level, maybe you will be lucky, maybe you will be dead. Why risk it. I have taken deer and brown/black bears to 400 pounds with my rossi puma in that caliber.