Lindcott Armory Rifle · SAAMI
.32-40 Winchester
Black-powder target cartridge from the Schuetzen era, originally introduced by Ballard in 1884 and adopted by Winchester for the Model 1885 single-shot.
- Caliber
- 0.32″ · 8.128 mm
- Introduced
- 1884
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting, Target
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1884
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Ballard
- Manufacturer
- Winchester, Marlin
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 38 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 30,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 175 yd
- Max range
- 350 yd
- Recoil
- 5–8 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Ballistics
- Parent case
- —
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open .32-40 Winchester ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Wikipedia · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 8.13 | 0.320 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.59 | 0.338 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 10.77 | 0.424 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.85 | 0.506 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.60 | 0.063 | ✓ |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 54.10 | 2.130 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 65.79 | 2.590 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .32-40 Winchester is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 7 active loads across 7 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graf & Sons | Graf Heritage | 165 | Lead FP | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| Doubletap | Hardcast | 165 | Hard Cast | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Lead FP Reproduction | 165 | Lead FP | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| Ultramax | Lead FP Cowboy | 165 | Lead FP | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| Winchester | Super-X SP | 165 | SP | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| Ten-X Ammunition | Lead FP Cowboy | 165 | Lead FP | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| Black Hills | Cowboy Action FP | 165 | Lead FP | 1,200 | 527 | — |
| Graf | Standard | 165 | Lead Round Nose FP | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 165 | Soft Point | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| Remington | Core-Lokt SP | 165 | Core-Lokt SP | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| Peters | SP | 165 | SP | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| Winchester | Lead FP | 165 | Lead FP | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| Fiocchi | Heritage Line | 165 | Lead FP | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| Winchester | Factory | 165 | LFN | 1,440 | 760 | — |
| UMC | UMC Standard | 165 | SP | 1,440 | 760 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
1 reloading powder listed for .32-40 Winchester, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .32-40 Winchester
12 models in the database chamber .32-40 Winchester. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Originally a Ballard target cartridge from 1884, adopted by Winchester and Marlin for their rifles. It was one of the most popular Schuetzen match cartridges of the late 19th century. The low-pressure rimmed case is ideal for cast bullets and black powder. Factory ammunition in reduced smokeless loads is still available from Cowboy Action suppliers.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .32-40 Winchester use?
- .32-40 Winchester typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .32-40 Winchester?
- .32-40 Winchester uses a 0.32″ (8.128 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .32-40 Winchester still in production?
- .32-40 Winchester is active; typical availability is limited.
- What is .32-40 Winchester used for?
- .32-40 Winchester is primarily used for hunting, target.
- What are the best powders for .32-40 Winchester?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .32-40 Winchester include IMR 3031.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 7 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →