joe earl

I recently traded a rifle for a Ruger 38-40 single action revolver. Only problem is no one has heard of this caliber and ammuntion has to be special ordered. Any gun dealer can order it , but they,re surprised when they find this caliber in their supplier catalogs. I know nothing of this caliber and need any information that you might have such as power, distance, use of weapon and how long it's been made. Any help appreciated.

Charley

The .38/40 Winchester, also known as the .38 WCF, was introduced about 1884. It is more or less the .44/40 necked down to .40 caliber. Why is a .40 caliber cartridge named the .38? Nobody really knows!
It was developed for the Winchester 1873 rifle. Colt began chambering the Model P single action sometime in the 1880s for the .38/40.
Ballisticly, the modern .40 S&W is on par with the .38/40... a 180 grain bullet, at about 950 FPS from a handgun.
I load the .38/40 with black powder and cast lead bullets for an 1892 Winchester rifle.I get about 1195 FPS from a 24 inch barrel.
Winchester .38/40 ammunition is pretty expensive. Look at some of the cowboy action loads available from some of the smaller suppliers...check MidwayUSA, Midsouth, Graf & Sons, and others.

Check here:http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.exe/browse?TabID=3&Categoryid=7544&categorystr ing=653***690***

ahankster

The 38/40 was originally a black powder cartridge. A .38 caliber bullet in front of 40 grains of black powder is what the name intends.
A very popular caliber in it's day. Similar to a 44/40 (.44 cal bullet in front of 40 grains of BP).
From what I have heard, the 38/40 was a very popular deer cartridge in rifle, before the 30/30 came on the scene.
R
Hank

mossy33oak

barrel burner huh?? I think I could throw a rock at a deer faster than that!!!

Charley

Yeah, you're probably right. Lets have a contest...We will seperate by 50 yards. I'll shoot at you with that slloooow bullet, and you can throw rocks at me!

1200 FPS is no speed demon, but when you poke a .40 caliber hole thru a whitetail's rib cage, they just don't go too far.

hobie11

go to www.reloadbench.com to their pistol page and click on that cliber. itll tell ya all ya need to know. i think you go to the rifle/pistol cartrige page.