Rifle · Proprietary · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardizedObsolete
.40-60 Winchester
Winchester Model 1876 and Model 1886 black powder cartridge for large North American game; popular in the American Northwest for elk and bear..
- Caliber
- 0.406″ · 10.312 mm
- Introduced
- 1884
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .45-70 Government
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Discontinued
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1884
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Standard
- Proprietary · Not SAAMI standardized · CIP standardized
- SAAMI
- Not SAAMI standardized
- Obsolete
- Obsolete
- Status
- Discontinued
- Availability
- Rare
- Case capacity
- 59 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:18
- Primer
- Berdan Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 27,847 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 150 yd
- Max range
- 3250 yd
- Recoil
- 10.8–14.5 ft·lb
Introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms
Ballistics
Velocity only, no drag model: no published ballistic coefficient is on file for .40-60 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
- .45-70 Government
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.
SAAMI · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 10.31 | 0.406 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 10.79 | 0.425 | |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.30 | 0.445 | |
| Shoulder angle | 15° | — | |
| Base ⌀ | 12.85 | 0.506 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 16.00 | 0.630 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.78 | 0.070 | |
| Neck length | 10.64 | 0.419 | |
| Case length | 47.82 | 1.883 | ~ |
| Overall length | 53.34 | 2.100 | ~ |
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. .40-60 Winchester is highlighted below.
Missing a dimension for .40-60 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 .40-60 Winchester
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed for the Winchester Model 1876 in 1884, the .40-60 was also offered in the Model 1886. It was a popular hunting cartridge in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions for elk, bear, and other large game during the black powder era. Less common than the .45-70 and .45-60 but well-regarded for its effectiveness.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .40-60 Winchester use?
- .40-60 Winchester typically uses a 1:18 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .40-60 Winchester?
- .40-60 Winchester uses a 0.406″ (10.312 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .40-60 Winchester still in production?
- .40-60 Winchester is discontinued; typical availability is rare.
- What is .40-60 Winchester used for?
- .40-60 Winchester is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .40-60 Winchester based on?
- .40-60 Winchester is derived from the .45-70 Government case.
Sources & provenance
- Manufacturer Buffalo Arms — 40-60 Winchester Black Powder Ammo (.406" 210 gr) · grain weights, bullet ⌀ archived
- Secondary Wikipedia (pointer) — .40-60 Winchester · velocity, year archived
- Secondary Wolfe Publishing / LoadData.com (Brian Pearce) — Handloading the .40-60 WCF — Brian Pearce · bullet ⌀, grain weights, velocity archived
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
