.44-40 Winchester
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The .44-40 Winchester (WCF) - Winchester Centre Fire cartridge was created by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company for their Model 1873 lever action rifles. Originally a .44 caliber bullet propelled by 40 grains of black powder, modern day cartridges use smokeless propellant.
One big factor that really insured the success of the .44-40 cartridge was that 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 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.
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