M/H,
     I do not now nor have I ever owned a CPA 44 1/2, but I did once own an original Stevens 44 1/2 in plain field grade chambered to .32-40.  IMHO, the Stevens would have been quite acceptable as a hunting rifle, in fact that one would have been better for hunting than for target shooting due to the single trigger and rudimentary sights.

     That said, I am a little puzzled the your "hold up for hard use" part of your query as a target rifle is fired several orders of magnitude more than the average hunting rifle.  As long as the rifle in question has an appropriate set of sights and a stock shape that is manageable in the field, a target rifle action should last forever as a hunting rifle.  If you cannot get a plain trigger CPA (and I believe you can) you can simply hunt with the trigger unset and use the front trigger only.  I carry my high-walls with the lever open when walking, only closing the lever and setting the set trigger (when present) when ready to take a shot.  I intend to leave my dual purpose Winchester high-wall plain sporter (.32-40) to some as yet-to-be-determined descendant and have it just as usable then (hopefully far in the future) as now.

HTH, Froggie

Green Frog   I hadnt thought of it that way as a target rifle really will take alot more shooting than a hunting rifle .  I guess I ment was the CPA a really well built action that will stand up

Although he doesn't have near that many rounds through it at last count, Dale53 also has a CPA he is highly pleased with...maybe he can chime in here.  I know that several folks have campaigned CPA's in big calibers like .40-65 and .45-70 (or bigger) for years in BPCS.  If that wouldn't beat them to death, nothing would!   
I wouldn't give another minute's thought to longevity or durability if those are your only considerations.  BTW, leadball will be disappointed it I fail to add the disclaimer, "but it still wouldn't be a high-wall!"   

Froggie

MtnGun,
CPA offers the 44 1/2 in .30-40 Krag. 

I am waiting for my first CPA which should arrive any day. Paul & Gail Shuttleworth are a pleasure to work with and only a 4 month wait. 

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Craig

The CPA action will do fine for a hunting rifle. I found them to supply at less cost than the Wyoming rifles with much faster delivery. I have one thats 12 years old and have always been pleased with Shuttleworths service and response.

The breech block has right much camming action on closing which can be an advantage with wet and cold possably dirty cases. Strong extraction too. It's actualy a re-designed 44 1/2, thicker and stronger and suitable for high pressure cartridges. 

Switch barrel you could set it up to be a great hunting outfit.  Perhaps a .25 on  the .30 Kraig case for a flat shooter .30 Kraig for Jacketed bullets. A 375 Winchester or even .405 Winchester for larger game.  I had a 219. Zipper barrel for mine and it was a real usefull varmit gun too not to mention my Rimfire barrel.

While the extractors are easy to change you can do a whole lot with cartridges based on the 38/55 case and only have to take the set screw out and switch the barrels to change cartridges if using the same case head size. I would stick with Rimmed cases on any single shot though.

I would get it set up with a single trigger, the double set triggers need to be cocked to work. the front will not fire the gun unset. CPA can and does furnish single triggers as well as many lever designs.  As far as stocking they will do anything you want including adding wiping rods trapdoors in the buttplate etc.

Boats