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Pistol · SAAMI

.38-40 Winchester

.38 WCF.38-40 WCF38-40

A cowboy-era dual-use cartridge chambered in both Winchester rifles and Colt revolvers.

Caliber
0.4004″ · 10.17 mm
Introduced
1874
Case
Rimmed
Parent
.44-40 Winchester
Primary use
Cowboy Action, Self-Defense
Status
Active
Velocity1,050–1,320 fps
Energy440–695 ft·lb
Typical grains180 gr
Identity
Introduced
1874
Type
Pistol
Origin
United States
Inventor
Winchester
Manufacturer
Winchester
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
40 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:36
Primer
Large Pistol
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
14,000 psi
Eff. range
50 yd
Max range
300 yd
Recoil
3.5–5.5 ft·lb
Subsonic
Capable

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Winchester Cowboy Action 180 gr, 1,160 fps, BC 0.200 G1 · 25 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd1160537-0.9″—
25 yd11164980.0″0.0
50 yd1077464-0.8″-1.6
75 yd1043435-3.6″-4.5
100 yd1014411-8.3″-7.9
125 yd987390-15.1″-11.6
150 yd964371-24.1″-15.4
175 yd942355-35.6″-19.4
200 yd922340-49.4″-23.6

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingBuffalo Bore Heavy180 gr · Hard Cast · 1,250 fpsBuy now →
Best for DefenseHornady Custom XTP FP180 gr · XTP FP · 975 fpsBuy now →
Best for TargetWinchester Cowboy Action180 gr · LFP · 1,160 fps · BC 0.200 G1Buy now →

Buy links open .38-40 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.

CIP TDCC · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀10.170.400✓
Neck ⌀10.580.417✓
Shoulder ⌀11.540.454✓
Shoulder angle6.8°—✓
Base ⌀11.930.470✓
Rim ⌀13.340.525✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.650.065✓
Neck length5.870.231≈
Case length33.151.305✓
Overall length40.441.592✓

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. .38-40 Winchester is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 32 active loads across 12 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 37 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
WinchesterCowboy Action180LFP1,1605380.200 G1
Buffalo BoreHeavy180Hard Cast1,250624—
WinchesterSuper-X180SP1,160538—
RemingtonLead RN 180gr180Lead RN1,160538—
FederalAmerican Eagle FMJ 180gr180FMJ1,160538—
WinchesterSuper-X SP 180gr180SP1,160538—
RemingtonStandard180SP1,160538—
HornadyCowboy Action180XTP1,160538—
Cor-BonDPX 180gr180DPX1,160538—
RemingtonExpress180LFP1,040432—
FiocchiStandard180LRN1,000400—
MagtechCowboy Action180LFP1,000400—
Black HillsCowboy Action180LFP1,000400—
UltramaxCowboy Action180RNFP1,000400—
HornadyCustom XTP FP180XTP FP975380—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

5 reloading powders listed for .38-40 Winchester, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

No. 2Bull's-EyeUniversalHP-38HS-6
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 .38-40 Winchester

12 models in the database chamber .38-40 Winchester. Browse all →

Henry Repeating Arms Henry Big Boy .38-40 Win 20-inchA. Uberti 1873 El Patron .45 Colt 4.75-inchRuger Blackhawk .357 Mag/.38-40 ConvertibleUSFA - US Firearms SAA .45 Colt 4.75-inchCimarron Doc Holliday ThundererUberti Schofield 2nd ModelRuger Vaquero .357 Mag 5.5-inch OriginalCimarron Firearms Cimarron Model P .45 Colt 7.5-inchCimarron Firearms Cimarron Frontier .45 Colt 4.75-inchCimarron Model PCimarron Firearms Model 1873 .45 ColtColt Single Action Army 3rd Generation

Lineage

Immediate parent
.44-40 Winchester
Family TreeOpen .38-40 Winchester in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads37 factory loads for .38-40 Winchester↗Reloading5 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .38-40 Winchester↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

The second in Winchester's rifle-revolver cartridge series (after .44-40). The '38' in the name refers to the case mouth diameter, not bullet size — it fires .401" bullets. Became the preferred cartridge of many lawmen and outlaws who wanted one ammunition type for both rifle and revolver.

FAQs

What twist rate does .38-40 Winchester use?
.38-40 Winchester typically uses a 1:36 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .38-40 Winchester?
.38-40 Winchester uses a 0.4004″ (10.17 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .38-40 Winchester still in production?
.38-40 Winchester is active; typical availability is common.
What is .38-40 Winchester used for?
.38-40 Winchester is primarily used for cowboy action, self-defense.
What is .38-40 Winchester based on?
.38-40 Winchester is derived from the .44-40 Winchester case.
What are the best powders for .38-40 Winchester?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .38-40 Winchester include No. 2, Bull's-Eye, Universal, HP-38, among 5 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 32 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →