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{{Short description|American firearms cartridge}}
{{Unreferenced|date=January 2008}}
{{Infobox firearm cartridge
{{context}}
|name=.44-40 Winchester
The '''.44-40 Winchester''' (WCF) - Winchester Centre Fire cartridge was created by the [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company]] for their [[Winchester rifle|Model 1873]] lever action rifles. Originally a .44 caliber bullet propelled by 40 grains of black powder, modern day cartridges use smokeless propellant.
|image=44-40 Winchester - 3.jpg | image_size = 300px
|caption=.44-40 Winchester cartridge
|origin=United States
|type=Rifle, revolver
|designer=Winchester Repeating Arms Company
|design_date=1873
|production_date=1873–present
|case_type =Rimmed, bottleneck
|bullet=.427
|neck=.443
|shoulder=.458
|base=.471
|rim_dia=.525
|rim_thick=.065
|case_length=1.305
|length=1.592
|rifling=
|case_capacity=40
|primer= Large [[pistol]]
|max_pressure=11,000 psi (75.84 MPa)<ref>SAAMI – rifle. Sleeping Dog Ammo. (n.d.). https://www.sleepingdogammo.com/saami-rifle/</ref>
|max_cup=13,000<ref>Saami pressures. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://leverguns.com/articles/saami_pressures.htm</ref>
|velocity=
|energy=
<!-- Ballistic data, load 1 -->
|bw1=200
|btype1=lead
|vel1=1245
|en1=688
<!-- Ballistic data, load 2 -->
|bw2=217
|btype2=lead
|vel2= 1190
|en2=682
<!-- Ballistic data, load 4 -->
|bw4=225
|btype4=lead
|vel4=1000
|en4=500
<!-- Ballistic data, load 5 -->
|bw5=200
|btype5=lead
|vel5=1100
|en5=537
<!-- Ballistics data source -->
|test_barrel_length=20"
|balsrc=Reloadersnest.com


}}
One big factor that really insured the success of the .44-40 cartridge was that [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]] quickly responded by offering its .45 ‘six-shooter’ of the day chambered in the same .44 calibre. One could have both a lever action rifle and revolver but only need to purchase a stock of one cartridge.
The '''.44-40 Winchester (10.8x33mmR)''', also known as '''.44 Winchester''', '''.44 WCF''' (Winchester Center Fire), and '''.44 Largo''' (in Spanish-speaking countries), was introduced in 1873 by the [[Winchester Repeating Arms Company]]. It was the first metallic [[Centerfire ammunition|centerfire]] [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]] manufactured by Winchester, and was promoted as the standard chambering for the new [[Winchester rifle#Model 1873|Winchester Model 1873]] rifle.<ref name="leverguns">"[http://www.leverguns.com/articles/4440.htm The 44-40 (44WCF) for beginners (like me)]" Leverguns Web site.</ref><ref name="gunsammo">{{Cite web |title=The .44-40 Winchester |url=http://www.gunsandammomag.com/reloads/44_40_061804/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080629234824/http://www.gunsandammomag.com/reloads/44_40_061804/ |archive-date=29 June 2008 |access-date=28 March 2022 |website=Guns and Ammo}}</ref> As both a rifle and a handgun caliber, the cartridge soon became widely popular, so much so that the Winchester Model 1873 rifle became known as "The gun that won the West."<ref name=MadisTWB>{{cite book|last=Madis|first=George|title=The Winchester book.|year=1971|publisher=Art and Reference House|location=Lancaster, Tex.|isbn=978-0910156035|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m2YUSQAACAAJ&q=editions:fRJ70013b3QC|edition=[1st ed.]}}</ref>


== History ==
The ammunition is still produced today in vast quantities throughout the world (smokeless is the norm although black powder is still readily available) for use in both original firearms, modern firearms and modern replicas of the late 19th century period. It is particular popular Ranchers, Farmers and in the relatively new sport of Cowboy Action Shooting. The quantity of production is only surpassed in civilian market, rather than the military one, by the [[.22 Long Rifle]].
When Winchester released the new cartridge, many other firearm companies chambered their guns in the new round. Remington and Marlin released their own rifles and pistols which chambered the round, Colt offered an alternative chambering in its popular [[Single Action Army]] [[revolver]] in a model known as the [[Colt Frontier Six-Shooter]], and [[Smith & Wesson]] began releasing their [[Smith & Wesson Model 3|Smith & Wesson New Model 3]] chambered in .44-40. Settlers, lawmen, and cowboys appreciated the convenience of being able to carry a single caliber of ammunition which they could fire in both pistol and rifle. In both law enforcement and hunting usage, the .44-40 became the most popular cartridge in the United States, and to this day has the reputation of killing more deer than any other save the [[.30-30 Winchester]].<ref>Hawks, C. "[http://www.chuckhawks.com/early_metallic_cartridges.htm Early Metallic Cartridges]" Chuck Hawks Web site.</ref>


The cartridge was originally sold as .44 Winchester. When the [[Union Metallic Cartridge Company#20th Century|Union Metallic Cartridge Co. (UMC)]] began selling their own version of the cartridge, it adopted the name .44-40 (shorthand for .44 caliber and the standard load at the time of {{convert|40|gr|adj=on}} of [[Black powder#Gunpowder (black powder)|black powder]]), as it did not want to offer free advertising for one of its competitors. Over time, the name stuck, and eventually Winchester adopted the .44-40 designation for the round after World War II.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://leverguns.com/articles/44wcf.htm|title=44WCF|website=leverguns.com}}</ref> Winchester uses the designation "44-40 Winchester" on packaging.


== Technical background ==
{{ammo-stub}}
The initial standard load for the cartridge was {{convert|40|gr|g}} of black powder propelling a {{convert|200|gr|g|adj=on}} [[Bullet#Types of bullets|round-nose, flat-point]] bullet at roughly {{convert|1245|ft/s|abbr=on}}. Winchester catalogues listed velocities of {{convert|1300|ft/s|abbr=on}} by 1875. In 1886, UMC also began offering a slightly heavier, {{convert|217|gr|g|adj=on}}, bullet at {{convert|1190|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}, also with 40 gr<!-- already converted above --> of black powder. Winchester soon began to carry the 217-gr loading, as well, but in 1905, UMC discontinued the heavier load.
In 1895, Winchester introduced a {{convert|200|gr|g|adj=on}} cartridge bulk loaded with {{convert|17|gr|g|adj=on}} of [[DuPont]] No. 2 [[smokeless powder]] and a bullet for {{convert|1300|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}, and in 1896, UMC followed suit with a 217-gr bullet at {{convert|1235|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}. Soon, both companies were offering the cartridge with lead "metal patched" (i.e. copper-jacketed with lead points), and [[Full metal jacket bullet|full metal jacket]] versions.
Taking advantage of the stronger-action designs of the Winchester model 1892 and the Marlin 1894 lever-action rifles, in 1903, Winchester began offering a higher-performance version of the loading called the Winchester High Velocity (WHV), with a velocity of {{convert|1540|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}} using a 200-gr copper-jacketed bullet from a {{convert|24|in|mm|adj=on}} barrel length, UMC and [[Peters Cartridge Company]] soon introduced equivalents. Over the years, a number of different bullet weights and styles have been offered, including 122, 140, 160, 165, 166, 180, and 217 gr in lead, [[Soft point bullet|soft]]- and [[Hollow-point|hollow]]-point, full metal case, [[blank (cartridge)|blank]]s, and [[Shotgun shell|shot shell]]s. The most common current loading is a 200-gr bullet at 1190 ft/s.<ref name="leverguns"/>


By 1942, more modern cartridges had all but eclipsed the .44-40, but it regained some popularity in the 1950s and 1960s when Colt began once again to manufacture the Single Action Army and Frontier.<ref>Taffin J. "[http://www.sixguns.com/tests/tt4440.htm Taffin Tests The .44-40 Winchester]" Sixguns Web site</ref> More recently, the .44-40 has had a resurgence due to the popularity of [[metallic silhouette]] and [[cowboy action shooting]], which inspired the introduction of a low-velocity {{convert|225|gr|g|adj=on}} gallery load, the heaviest factory bullet ever available for the cartridge.<ref name="leverguns"/>
⚫
[[Category:Ammunition]]

== In Popular Culture ==
In the television series [[The Rifleman]], actor [[Chuck Connors]]' character [[Lucas McCain]] uses a modified [[Winchester Model 1892]] rifle chambered in .44-40 throughout the series. In the TV Series [[Little House on the Prairie]], Season 2 Episode 12, Mr. Edwards buys his son a [[Winchester Model 1894]] chambered in .44-40, although this was an anachronism as this rifle was not manufactured chambered for the .44-40 cartridge at the time depicted in the show.

==See also==
*[[List of rimmed cartridges]]
*[[List of handgun cartridges]]
*[[List of rifle cartridges]]
*[[Table of handgun and rifle cartridges]]

==References==
{{Commons category}}
<references/>

==Bibliography==
* [[Julian S. Hatcher]], ''Hatcher's Notebook'', Harrisburg, Pa., Military Service Pub. Co., 1947 [Riling 2596] page 436 - {{ISBN|978-0-8117-0795-4}}

{{Rimmed cartridges}}
{{Winchester Cartridges Firearms}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:44-40 Winchester}}
[[Category:Pistol and rifle cartridges]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1873]]
[[Category:Dual-purpose handgun/rifle cartridges]]
⚫
[[Category:Rimmed cartridges]]
[[Category:Winchester Repeating Arms Company cartridges]]

Latest revision as of 21:34, 14 November 2024

.44-40 Winchester
.44-40 Winchester cartridge
TypeRifle, revolver
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerWinchester Repeating Arms Company
Designed1873
Produced1873–present
Specifications
Case typeRimmed, bottleneck
Bullet diameter.427 in (10.8 mm)
Neck diameter.443 in (11.3 mm)
Shoulder diameter.458 in (11.6 mm)
Base diameter.471 in (12.0 mm)
Rim diameter.525 in (13.3 mm)
Rim thickness.065 in (1.7 mm)
Case length1.305 in (33.1 mm)
Overall length1.592 in (40.4 mm)
Case capacity40 gr H2O (2.6 cm3)
Primer typeLarge pistol
Maximum pressure11,000 psi (75.84 MPa)[1]
Maximum CUP13,000[2] CUP
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
200 gr (13 g) lead 1,245 ft/s (379 m/s) 688 ft⋅lbf (933 J)
217 gr (14 g) lead 1,190 ft/s (360 m/s) 682 ft⋅lbf (925 J)
225 gr (15 g) lead 1,000 ft/s (300 m/s) 500 ft⋅lbf (680 J)
200 gr (13 g) lead 1,100 ft/s (340 m/s) 537 ft⋅lbf (728 J)
Test barrel length: 20"
Source(s): Reloadersnest.com

The .44-40 Winchester (10.8x33mmR), also known as .44 Winchester, .44 WCF (Winchester Center Fire), and .44 Largo (in Spanish-speaking countries), was introduced in 1873 by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. It was the first metallic centerfire cartridge manufactured by Winchester, and was promoted as the standard chambering for the new Winchester Model 1873 rifle.[3][4] As both a rifle and a handgun caliber, the cartridge soon became widely popular, so much so that the Winchester Model 1873 rifle became known as "The gun that won the West."[5]

History

[edit]

When Winchester released the new cartridge, many other firearm companies chambered their guns in the new round. Remington and Marlin released their own rifles and pistols which chambered the round, Colt offered an alternative chambering in its popular Single Action Army revolver in a model known as the Colt Frontier Six-Shooter, and Smith & Wesson began releasing their Smith & Wesson New Model 3 chambered in .44-40. Settlers, lawmen, and cowboys appreciated the convenience of being able to carry a single caliber of ammunition which they could fire in both pistol and rifle. In both law enforcement and hunting usage, the .44-40 became the most popular cartridge in the United States, and to this day has the reputation of killing more deer than any other save the .30-30 Winchester.[6]

The cartridge was originally sold as .44 Winchester. When the Union Metallic Cartridge Co. (UMC) began selling their own version of the cartridge, it adopted the name .44-40 (shorthand for .44 caliber and the standard load at the time of 40-grain (2.6 g) of black powder), as it did not want to offer free advertising for one of its competitors. Over time, the name stuck, and eventually Winchester adopted the .44-40 designation for the round after World War II.[7] Winchester uses the designation "44-40 Winchester" on packaging.

Technical background

[edit]

The initial standard load for the cartridge was 40 grains (2.6 g) of black powder propelling a 200-grain (13 g) round-nose, flat-point bullet at roughly 1,245 ft/s (379 m/s). Winchester catalogues listed velocities of 1,300 ft/s (400 m/s) by 1875. In 1886, UMC also began offering a slightly heavier, 217-grain (14.1 g), bullet at 1,190 ft/s (360 m/s), also with 40 gr of black powder. Winchester soon began to carry the 217-gr loading, as well, but in 1905, UMC discontinued the heavier load. In 1895, Winchester introduced a 200-grain (13 g) cartridge bulk loaded with 17-grain (1.1 g) of DuPont No. 2 smokeless powder and a bullet for 1,300 ft/s (400 m/s), and in 1896, UMC followed suit with a 217-gr bullet at 1,235 ft/s (376 m/s). Soon, both companies were offering the cartridge with lead "metal patched" (i.e. copper-jacketed with lead points), and full metal jacket versions. Taking advantage of the stronger-action designs of the Winchester model 1892 and the Marlin 1894 lever-action rifles, in 1903, Winchester began offering a higher-performance version of the loading called the Winchester High Velocity (WHV), with a velocity of 1,540 ft/s (470 m/s) using a 200-gr copper-jacketed bullet from a 24-inch (610 mm) barrel length, UMC and Peters Cartridge Company soon introduced equivalents. Over the years, a number of different bullet weights and styles have been offered, including 122, 140, 160, 165, 166, 180, and 217 gr in lead, soft- and hollow-point, full metal case, blanks, and shot shells. The most common current loading is a 200-gr bullet at 1190 ft/s.[3]

By 1942, more modern cartridges had all but eclipsed the .44-40, but it regained some popularity in the 1950s and 1960s when Colt began once again to manufacture the Single Action Army and Frontier.[8] More recently, the .44-40 has had a resurgence due to the popularity of metallic silhouette and cowboy action shooting, which inspired the introduction of a low-velocity 225-grain (14.6 g) gallery load, the heaviest factory bullet ever available for the cartridge.[3]

[edit]

In the television series The Rifleman, actor Chuck Connors' character Lucas McCain uses a modified Winchester Model 1892 rifle chambered in .44-40 throughout the series. In the TV Series Little House on the Prairie, Season 2 Episode 12, Mr. Edwards buys his son a Winchester Model 1894 chambered in .44-40, although this was an anachronism as this rifle was not manufactured chambered for the .44-40 cartridge at the time depicted in the show.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to .44-40 Winchester.
  1. ^ SAAMI – rifle. Sleeping Dog Ammo. (n.d.). https://www.sleepingdogammo.com/saami-rifle/
  2. ^ Saami pressures. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2023, from https://leverguns.com/articles/saami_pressures.htm
  3. ^ a b c "The 44-40 (44WCF) for beginners (like me)" Leverguns Web site.
  4. ^ "The .44-40 Winchester". Guns and Ammo. Archived from the original on 29 June 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  5. ^ Madis, George (1971). The Winchester book ([1st ed.] ed.). Lancaster, Tex.: Art and Reference House. ISBN 978-0910156035.
  6. ^ Hawks, C. "Early Metallic Cartridges" Chuck Hawks Web site.
  7. ^ "44WCF". leverguns.com.
  8. ^ Taffin J. "Taffin Tests The .44-40 Winchester" Sixguns Web site

Bibliography

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=.44-40_Winchester&oldid=1257431930"