What twist rate does .44-40 Winchester use?

.44-40 Winchester typically uses a 1:36 twist rate.

What bullet diameter is .44-40 Winchester?

.44-40 Winchester uses a 0.4272″ (10.85 mm) diameter bullet.

Is .44-40 Winchester still in production?

.44-40 Winchester is active; typical availability is common.

What is .44-40 Winchester used for?

.44-40 Winchester is primarily used for cowboy action, self-defense.

What are the best powders for .44-40 Winchester?

Reloading powders commonly listed for .44-40 Winchester include No. 2, Universal, HP-38, Herco, among 6 suitable options.

Pistol · SAAMI

.44-40 Winchester

.44 WCF.44-40 WCF44-40

The original Winchester-Colt cartridge — the first designed to work in both a lever-action rifle and a revolver.

Caliber: 0.4272″ · 10.85 mm
Introduced: 1873
Case: Rimmed
Primary use: Cowboy Action, Self-Defense
Status: Active

Velocity1,150–1,400 fps

Energy585–945 ft·lb

Typical grains200 · 205 · 225 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1873
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: 11,000 psi
Eff. range: 100 yd
Max range: 300 yd
Recoil: 6–10 ft·lb
Subsonic: Capable

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Winchester Cowboy Action 200 gr, 800 fps, BC 0.185 G1 · 25 yd zero.

Compare tooverlay up to 2

Range	Velocity	Energy	Drop (in)	Drop (MOA)
0 yd	800	284	-0.9″	—
25 yd	785	274	0.0″	0.0
50 yd	771	264	-2.6″	-5.1
75 yd	757	255	-8.9″	-11.4
100 yd	744	246	-19.0″	-18.2
125 yd	731	237	-33.0″	-25.2
150 yd	718	229	-51.0″	-32.5
175 yd	706	221	-73.3″	-40.0
200 yd	694	214	-99.9″	-47.7

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 HuntingWinchester Super-X SP 200gr200 gr · SP · 1,190 fpsBuy now →

Best for DefenseHornady Custom XTP JHP 200gr200 gr · XTP JHP · 1,190 fpsBuy now →

Best for TargetWinchester Cowboy Action200 gr · LFP · 800 fps · BC 0.185 G1Buy now →

Buy links open .44-40 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 · approximate

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	10.85	0.427	✓
Neck ⌀	11.25	0.443	✓
Shoulder ⌀	11.60	0.457	✓
Shoulder angle	4°	—	~
Base ⌀	11.97	0.471	✓
Rim ⌀	13.34	0.525	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.65	0.065	✓
Neck length	7.36	0.290	≈
Case length	33.15	1.305	✓
Overall length	40.44	1.592	✓

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. .44-40 Winchester is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 39 active loads across 16 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 50 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Winchester	Cowboy Action	200	LFP	800	284	0.185 G1
Remington	Lead RN 200gr	200	Lead RN	1,190	629	—
Hornady	Custom XTP JHP 200gr	200	XTP JHP	1,190	629	—
Winchester	Super-X SP 200gr	200	SP	1,190	629	—
Cor-Bon	DPX 200gr	200	DPX	1,190	629	—
Grizzly Cartridge	Standard	200	JSP	1,175	613	—
Federal	American Eagle FMJ 225gr	225	FMJ	1,050	551	—
Cor-Bon	JHP	200	JHP	1,025	466	—
Buffalo Bore	Lead FN Hard Cast 225gr	225	Hard Cast FN	1,000	500	—
StarLine	FP	200	Lead FP	975	422	—
Hornady	Custom XTP	200	XTP JHP	975	422	—
Winchester	Super-X Cowboy	200	Lead	975	422	—
Hornady	Custom XTP FP	200	XTP FP	975	422	—
Remington	Core-Lokt SP	200	Core-Lokt SP	975	422	—
Remington	Core-Lokt	200	LSP	975	422	—

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

Suitable powders

6 reloading powders listed for .44-40 Winchester, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

No. 2 Universal HP-38 Herco HS-6 Leverevolution

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 .44-40 Winchester

12 models in the database chamber .44-40 Winchester. Browse all →

Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy X Model .44-40 Win 17.4-inchHenry Repeating Arms Big Boy Carbine .44-40 Win 16.5-inchHenry Repeating Arms Big Boy Side Gate .44-40 Win 20-inchWinchester Model 1873 Carbine 44-40 WCF 20-inch ReissueWinchester Repeating Arms Model 1873 Sporter .44-40 Win 24-inchChiappa Firearms 1892 Trapper TakedownHenry Repeating Arms Frontier .44-40 Win 24-inchWinchester Repeating Arms Model 1892 Carbine .44-40 Case HardenedWinchester Repeating Arms Model 1873 Lever Action .44-40 Win 20-inchWinchester Repeating Arms Model 1873 Sporter .44-40Henry Repeating Arms Original .44-40 Win 24.5-inchChiappa Firearms 1892 Trapper

Lineage

Immediate parent

Root — no documented parent

Direct descendants (2)

.38-40 Winchester .44 WCF XL

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

Connected reference

Loads50 factory loads for .44-40 Winchester↗Reloading6 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .44-40 Winchester↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Introduced with the Winchester Model 1873 — 'The Gun That Won the West.' Colt chambered the Single Action Army for it in 1878 at customer request, creating the first rifle-revolver pair sharing a cartridge. Became the most popular cartridge in the American West by the 1880s. Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett, and Buffalo Bill all used rifles chambered for it.

FAQs

What twist rate does .44-40 Winchester use?: .44-40 Winchester typically uses a 1:36 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .44-40 Winchester?: .44-40 Winchester uses a 0.4272″ (10.85 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .44-40 Winchester still in production?: .44-40 Winchester is active; typical availability is common.
What is .44-40 Winchester used for?: .44-40 Winchester is primarily used for cowboy action, self-defense.
What are the best powders for .44-40 Winchester?: Reloading powders commonly listed for .44-40 Winchester include No. 2, Universal, HP-38, Herco, among 6 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 39 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →