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Post by Encore64 on Feb 29, 2024 8:30:52 GMT -5
It's interesting that the 38-40 turns 150 years old in 2024 and we're still talking about it.
Seen any threads about the 30 Super Carry recently?
Maybe the 45 GAP, 9mm Federal, 400 Corbon maybe?...
At very least it's a survivor. I doubt we could compile a list of cartridges, rifle or handgun, that have come and gone since the introduction of the 38-40.
There's people who learn from history and people who repeat the same mistakes because they didn't learn...
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Post by revolvercranker on Feb 29, 2024 10:49:31 GMT -5
My response will probably “stir the pot” a bit, but here goes! We currently own 5 rifles and 6 revolvers in 38 w.c.f. The number of rounds I have fired in this great cartridge would number in the hundreds of thousands! (My wife and I shot CAS competition for 23 years and it was our cartridge of choice). I only say this to show I have a little bit of experience with the round. The 44 w.c.f. not so much. I have handled and fired several 44-40’s and have owned a few. The question of “why” the 38-40 existed comes up often when ballistics are not much different. In my limited experience with the 44-40, I have found the 38-40 to be more accurate. Four of our rifles are original Winchesters and they are all tack drivers. One from 1886 with a less than perfect bore shoots amazingly well. I have a Uberti 1873 that “was” a 44-40. It shot pretty good, but I had it re-lined to 38-40 and it’s accuracy is much better now. I have a friend that is a devout fan of the 44-40. He is also a very accomplished competitor in long range “cowboy” shooting. In the pistol caliber category he has taken home a pile of trophies with his 1894 Marlin …. In 38-40. Finally, the 44-40 was more popular than 38-40 in the Colt SAA. However there were almost twice as many 38’s in the Colt Bisley model than there were 44’s. Remember the Bisley model Colt was designed as a target competition revolver. Maybe the 38-40 was more accurate??? (The largest number of Bisleys were 32-20’s. They’re pretty accurate too) Dan I don't think that stirs the pot any at all, at least not for me. That's insteresting information you posted. My question "why", in your experience and others, is the 38-40 more accurate then the 44-40?
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Post by bigmuddy on Feb 29, 2024 11:30:43 GMT -5
I’ll take a “swag” and say bore dimensions may be more consistent? The only 38-40 rifle I have seen (and I owned it) that wouldn’t shoot was an old 1894 Marlin. Bore was in great shape with regard to rifling, but I found it was quite a bit oversized. Bullets key-holed on target. Bullets sized large enough for the bore wouldn’t chamber. That one went to a collector who didn’t care how it shot. As I said, not much experience with 44-40 but I have heard and read that bullets needed may run from .426 to maybe.430. Probably can get them to shoot with loads taylored to one gun. All of my 38-40’s shoot .401 bullets perfectly. Back when these cartridges were introduced I imagine most ammo was store bought factory.
Again just a guess.
Dan
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Post by LeverGunner on Feb 29, 2024 15:31:48 GMT -5
My response will probably “stir the pot” a bit, but here goes! We currently own 5 rifles and 6 revolvers in 38 w.c.f. The number of rounds I have fired in this great cartridge would number in the hundreds of thousands! (My wife and I shot CAS competition for 23 years and it was our cartridge of choice). I only say this to show I have a little bit of experience with the round. The 44 w.c.f. not so much. I have handled and fired several 44-40’s and have owned a few. The question of “why” the 38-40 existed comes up often when ballistics are not much different. In my limited experience with the 44-40, I have found the 38-40 to be more accurate. Four of our rifles are original Winchesters and they are all tack drivers. One from 1886 with a less than perfect bore shoots amazingly well. I have a Uberti 1873 that “was” a 44-40. It shot pretty good, but I had it re-lined to 38-40 and it’s accuracy is much better now. I have a friend that is a devout fan of the 44-40. He is also a very accomplished competitor in long range “cowboy” shooting. In the pistol caliber category he has taken home a pile of trophies with his 1894 Marlin …. In 38-40. Finally, the 44-40 was more popular than 38-40 in the Colt SAA. However there were almost twice as many 38’s in the Colt Bisley model than there were 44’s. Remember the Bisley model Colt was designed as a target competition revolver. Maybe the 38-40 was more accurate??? (The largest number of Bisleys were 32-20’s. They’re pretty accurate too) Dan That's great information and I appreciate you adding to this thread. Has anyone else noticed this same thing?
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Post by cas on Feb 29, 2024 17:53:31 GMT -5
My 38 WCF is a 100+ year-old Winchester 1892... When I bought my 1892 .38WCF, it was 96 years old. Reading this thread the other day I was shocked when it dawned on me, it's now 120 years old.
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Post by LeverGunner on Mar 2, 2024 0:38:36 GMT -5
Welp, it's official, I want a 38-40! After reading here, and some handloader magazine articles, I have the itch bad.
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COR
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,522
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Post by COR on Mar 5, 2024 15:37:46 GMT -5
Ok… so we are all clear … Elmer was right.
AND
Y’all just hate dead horses…
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Post by shrapnel on Mar 8, 2024 11:19:12 GMT -5
All I can say is that I am a fan of the 38-40. I do have some 44-40’s but not as many as 38-40..
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Post by hounddogman on Mar 8, 2024 12:40:00 GMT -5
All I can say is that I am a fan of the 38-40. I do have some 44-40’s but not as many as 38-40.. Love those Colt Lightning's. The third one down, is that what is called a baby carbine?
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Post by shrapnel on Mar 8, 2024 14:49:35 GMT -5
Yes, that is a baby carbine.
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Post by bushog on Mar 8, 2024 16:18:01 GMT -5
Ok… so we are all clear … Elmer was right. AND Y’all just hate dead horses… Huh?
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Post by bushog on Mar 8, 2024 19:07:54 GMT -5
Yes, that is a baby carbine. Baby carbine is a 1892?
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Post by leadhound on Mar 8, 2024 19:39:58 GMT -5
Speaking of 38-40's anybody seen a Remington 14-1/2 posted anywhere in great condition with an excellent for buyer price?
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Post by hounddogman on Mar 8, 2024 19:43:06 GMT -5
Yes, that is a baby carbine. Wait a minute. I just took a second look. What is that revolver with no top strap !?
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Post by revolvercranker on Mar 8, 2024 20:19:59 GMT -5
Looks like a single action Colt with the top strap gone.
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