That is one fine looking rifle and in 44-40 to boot, great round; I've got a set of OM Ruger Blackhawks made into vaqueros and with cylinders for both the 44 Special and 44-40. Love to shoot black powder loads in the 44-40's. I carry a Charter Arms Bulldog with 44 Special shot loads for the rattlesnakes and other small critters I don't like around here. Since I can get about 33 grs of BP in the 44-40 case over 22-23 in the Special, I'd imagine you can get quite a few more pellets in your shot loads, that'd make a good bird gun, well almost.
HH