Rifle · Proprietary · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardizedObsolete
.38-70 Winchester
Winchester Model 1886 black powder cartridge for medium to large game; part of Winchester's black powder lineup, used in custom-ordered Model 1886 rifles..
- Caliber
- 0.378″ · 9.601 mm
- Introduced
- 1894
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .40-70 Sharps
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1894
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Standard
- Proprietary · Not SAAMI standardized · Not standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 70.8 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:12
- Primer
- Berdan Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 24,000 CUP, SAAMI crusher
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 3600 yd
- Recoil
- 15.3–29.4 ft·lb
Introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .38-70 Winchester, so this is the shape gravity alone gives the advertised velocity. Drag would steepen it. The tool below solves real loads through their published G1 or G7 model.
Open in Ballistic Compare- Parent case
- .40-70 Sharps
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
Cartridges of the World · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.60 | 0.378 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 10.24 | 0.403 | · |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.69 | 0.421 | · |
| Shoulder angle | 15° | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 12.85 | 0.506 | · |
| Rim ⌀ | 15.24 | 0.600 | · |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.79 | 0.070 | |
| Neck length | 9.91 | 0.390 | |
| Case length | 58.67 | 2.310 | ~ |
| Overall length | 69.34 | 2.730 | · |
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. .38-70 Winchester is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for .38-70 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.
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 .38-70 Winchester
Lineage
Connected reference
History
One of the less common Winchester Model 1886 cartridges, the .38-70 was available on special order for hunters who wanted a .38 caliber option in the Model 1886 action. It is a transitional black powder cartridge from the late 1880s, predating the adoption of smokeless powder in lever-action rifles.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .38-70 Winchester use?
- .38-70 Winchester typically uses a 1:12 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .38-70 Winchester?
- .38-70 Winchester uses a 0.378″ (9.601 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .38-70 Winchester still in production?
- .38-70 Winchester is discontinued; typical availability is rare.
- What is .38-70 Winchester used for?
- .38-70 Winchester is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .38-70 Winchester based on?
- .38-70 Winchester is derived from the .40-70 Sharps case.
Sources & provenance
- Reference Gun Digest Books — Cartridges of the World (Gun Digest Books, F. C. Barnes)
- Secondary 38-70 Winchester C.F. — Cartridge Collector · velocity_max_fps
- Secondary .38-70 WCF Reloading Data — Winchester Collector Forum · velocity_max_fps
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
