First we must understand the 44-40 cartridge history.
First, original black powder loads were loud and created 1,325fps.
When smokeless powders came out in the 44-40 by 1894, they too were loud and also produced 1,325fps
When Winchester started using pistol ball powder, velocity was reduced to 1,310fps...still not bad and fairly loud as well.
By 1979 Winchester switched to a flake powder and had to reduce the load in order to keep pressures below the SAAMI max. This quietened that noise a bit.
By 1996 Winchester manufacture reduced recoil loads for cowboy action shooting. There are considered "mouse farts" and should be self explanatory.
Replicating original 1,325fts velocities using Reloder 7, the noise is fairly loud.
Replicating original Winchester "High Velocity" rounds are loud and powerful.
Pushing the 44-40 to the max for use in the Winchester 92/Marlin 94 only, Hurts at nearly 1,650fps and is pretty loud!!!