What twist rate does .38 Long Colt use?

.38 Long Colt typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.

What bullet diameter is .38 Long Colt?

.38 Long Colt uses a 0.3591″ (9.12 mm) diameter bullet.

Is .38 Long Colt still in production?

.38 Long Colt is active; typical availability is common.

What is .38 Long Colt used for?

.38 Long Colt is primarily used for military (historical).

What is .38 Long Colt based on?

.38 Long Colt is derived from the .38 Short Colt case.

What are the best powders for .38 Long Colt?

Reloading powders commonly listed for .38 Long Colt include No. 2, Bull's-Eye, HP-38.

Revolver · SAAMI

.38 Long Colt

38 Long Colt.38 LC

The U.S.

Caliber: 0.3591″ · 9.12 mm
Introduced: 1875
Case: Rimmed
Parent: .38 Short Colt
Primary use: Military (Historical)
Status: Active

Velocity650–770 fps

Energy140–200 ft·lb

Typical grains125 · 150 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1875
Type: Revolver
Origin: United States
Inventor: Colt
Manufacturer: Colt
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Active
Availability: Common

Build

Case capacity: 13 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:18.75
Primer: Small Pistol
Case type: Rimmed

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 13,000 psi
Eff. range: 25 yd
Max range: 150 yd
Recoil: 2.5–4 ft·lb
Subsonic: Capable

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics 150 gr, 770 fps, BC 0.165 G1 · 25 yd zero.

Compare tooverlay up to 2

Range	Velocity	Energy	Drop (in)	Drop (MOA)
0 yd	770	197	-0.9″	—
25 yd	755	190	0.0″	0.0
50 yd	740	182	-2.9″	-5.6
75 yd	725	175	-9.8″	-12.5
100 yd	711	168	-20.9″	-19.9
125 yd	698	162	-36.2″	-27.6
150 yd	684	156	-56.0″	-35.6
175 yd	671	150	-80.3″	-43.8
200 yd	659	144	-109.6″	-52.3

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 TargetFiocchi Shooting Dynamics150 gr · LRN · 770 fps · BC 0.165 G1Buy now →

Buy links open .38 Long Colt 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 · approximate

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	9.12	0.359	~
Neck ⌀	9.60	0.378	✓
Shoulder ⌀	n/a
Shoulder angle	n/a
Base ⌀	9.63	0.379	✓
Rim ⌀	11.18	0.440	~
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.52	0.060	✓
Neck length	n/a
Case length	26.29	1.035	✓
Overall length	34.54	1.360	✓

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 Long Colt is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 7 active loads across 6 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 22 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Fiocchi	Shooting Dynamics	150	LRN	770	197	0.165 G1
Fiocchi	Lead RN	150	Lead RN	770	197	—
Magtech	Cowboy	150	LFN	770	197	—
Black Hills	Cowboy	150	RNL	770	197	—
PPU	Handgun	150	LRN	770	197	—
Sellier & Bellot	Handgun	150	LRN	770	197	—
Ten-X	DCAP	125	LRN	750	156	—
Bertram	Custom	150	Lead Round Nose	770	197	—
Doubletap	Hardcast	150	Lead Round Nose	770	197	—
Graf	FMJ Standard	150	Lead Round Nose	770	197	—
Hirtenberger	Standard	150	Lead Round Nose	770	197	—
OWS	Standard	150	Lead Round Nose	770	197	—
HSM Ammunition	Cowboy	150	Lead Round Nose	770	197	—
Winchester	Lead RN	150	Lead RN	770	197	—
Remington	Standard Old	150	LRN	770	197	—

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

Suitable powders

3 reloading powders listed for .38 Long Colt, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

No. 2 Bull's-Eye HP-38

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .38 Long Colt

12 models in the database chamber .38 Long Colt. Browse all →

Rock Island Armory Colt Lightning .38 Long Colt 6-inchTaylor's & Company Taylor's Uberti Top Break .38 Special 7-inchSmith & Wesson Model Hand Ejector .38 Special 4-inchColt Model 1895 Navy .38 Long Colt 6-inchColt SAA Bisley .45 ColtColt New NavyColt Model 1889 Navy RevolverColt Colt 1889 Navy RevolverColt Model 1889 Navy .38 Long Colt 6-inchColt Model 1889 New Navy .38 Long ColtColt Colt 1889 New NavyColt Colt Model 1889 Navy .38 Long Colt 3-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent

.38 Short Colt

Direct descendants (2 · 7 total)

.38 Special

Family TreeOpen .38 Long Colt in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads22 factory loads for .38 Long Colt↗Reloading3 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .38 Long Colt↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Adopted by the U.S. Army in 1892 to replace the .45 Colt. Proved catastrophically ineffective during the Philippine-American War — insurgents on drugs reportedly required multiple hits to stop. This failure drove the Army toward larger calibers and ultimately the 1911.

FAQs

What twist rate does .38 Long Colt use?: .38 Long Colt typically uses a 1:18.75 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .38 Long Colt?: .38 Long Colt uses a 0.3591″ (9.12 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .38 Long Colt still in production?: .38 Long Colt is active; typical availability is common.
What is .38 Long Colt used for?: .38 Long Colt is primarily used for military (historical).
What is .38 Long Colt based on?: .38 Long Colt is derived from the .38 Short Colt case.
What are the best powders for .38 Long Colt?: Reloading powders commonly listed for .38 Long Colt include No. 2, Bull's-Eye, HP-38.

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 →