Rifle · Obsolete
.44 WCF XL
Extended-case version of the .44-40 Winchester for single-shot rifles, offering additional powder capacity over the standard lever-action length..
- Caliber
- 0.427″ · 10.846 mm
- Introduced
- 1880
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .44-40 Winchester
- Primary use
- hunting
- Status
- Obsolete
- Introduced
- 1880
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Standard
- Obsolete
- Status
- Obsolete
- Availability
- Antique
- Case capacity
- 22 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:36
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 18,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 100 yd
- Recoil
- 12–18 ft·lb
- Subsonic
- Capable
Introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .44 WCF XL — an obsolete/collector cartridge. Parent case: .44-40 Winchester.
Performance
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 ⌀ | 10.85 | 0.427 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 11.25 | 0.443 | ~ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Shoulder angle | n/a | ||
| Base ⌀ | 11.96 | 0.471 | ~ |
| Rim ⌀ | 13.34 | 0.525 | ~ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | — | — | |
| Neck length | n/a | ||
| Case length | 39.69 | 1.563 | ~ |
| Overall length | 51.59 | 2.031 | ~ |
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 WCF XL is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
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.
Lineage
Connected reference
History
A black powder cartridge used in Winchester Model 1873 and Model 1876 lever-action rifles for hunting large game. The XL designation indicated an extra-long case with more powder capacity than the standard .44 WCF. Used on bison and large North American game before modern cartridges rendered it obsolete.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .44 WCF XL use?
- .44 WCF XL typically uses a 1:36 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .44 WCF XL?
- .44 WCF XL uses a 0.427″ (10.846 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .44 WCF XL still in production?
- .44 WCF XL is obsolete; typical availability is antique.
- What is .44 WCF XL used for?
- .44 WCF XL is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .44 WCF XL based on?
- .44 WCF XL is derived from the .44-40 Winchester case.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 4 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →