Lindcott Armory Rifle · Obsolete
.38-56 Winchester
Black-powder Winchester Model 1886 lever-action cartridge.
- Caliber
- 0.3775″ · 9.589 mm
- Introduced
- 1887
- Case
- Rimmed
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Discontinued
- Introduced
- 1887
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 56 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 400 yd
- Recoil
- 10–15 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 .38-56 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.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.59 | 0.378 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 10.16 | 0.400 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.30 | 0.445 | · |
| Shoulder angle | — | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 12.83 | 0.505 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 15.37 | 0.605 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.65 | 0.065 | · |
| Neck length | — | — | |
| Case length | 53.34 | 2.100 | · |
| Overall length | 63.50 | 2.500 | ~ |
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. .38-56 Winchester is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for .38-56 Winchester? Some case measurements aren't in a published SAAMI/CIP drawing yet. Have a factory or reamer print? Send it → — verified hard-to-find data earns a free Lindcott sticker.
Factory loads
In production — 6 active loads across 6 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 20 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bore | Heavy | 255 | WFN | 1,600 | 1,449 | — |
| Cor-Bon | Hunter | 255 | JFP | 1,590 | 1,431 | — |
| Grizzly | WC | 255 | WFNGC | 1,580 | 1,413 | — |
| Jamison International | Cowboy | 255 | FP | 1,575 | 1,404 | — |
| Ten-X Ammunition | Lead FP | 255 | Lead FP | 1,480 | 1,240 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Lead FP Reproduction | 255 | Lead FP | 1,480 | 1,240 | — |
| Old Western Scrounger | Replica | 255 | LFP | 1,560 | 1,378 | — |
| Winchester | Lead FP | 255 | Lead FP | 1,480 | 1,240 | — |
| Western Cartridge Co. | Lead FP | 255 | Lead FP | 1,480 | 1,240 | — |
| Peters | Lead FP | 255 | Lead FP | 1,480 | 1,240 | — |
| Kynoch | Soft Nose | 255 | Soft Nose | 1,450 | 1,190 | — |
| Graf | Standard | 255 | Soft Point | 1,450 | 1,190 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 255 | Soft Point | 1,450 | 1,190 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom SP | 255 | Soft Point | 1,450 | 1,190 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 255 | Soft Point | 1,450 | 1,190 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
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 .38-56 Winchester
6 models in the database chamber .38-56 Winchester. Browse all →
Connected reference
History
Introduced in 1887 for the Winchester Model 1886, the first lever-action strong enough for full-length rifle cartridges. The .38-56 and similar cartridges were the most powerful repeating arms available before smokeless powder changed everything in the 1890s. Factory ammunition production ended in the early 20th century. Original Model 1886 rifles are significant collector pieces.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .38-56 Winchester use?
- .38-56 Winchester typically uses a 1:18 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .38-56 Winchester?
- .38-56 Winchester uses a 0.3775″ (9.589 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .38-56 Winchester still in production?
- .38-56 Winchester is discontinued; typical availability is antique.
- What is .38-56 Winchester used for?
- .38-56 Winchester is primarily used for hunting.
Sources & provenance
- StandardSAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .38-56 Winchesterarchived
- StandardSAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawingsarchived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 6 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →