38-40 Is There A Better Cartridge?

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Kirk Stovall
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38-40 Is There A Better Cartridge?

Post by Kirk Stovall »

I keep searching the internet and auctions looking for 38-40's. I recently picked up a couple Colts recently in 4 3/4 inch variations. One is a Bisley. They both seem to shoot. I have a small pile of them...

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cat1870
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Re: 38-40 Is There A Better Cartridge?

Post by cat1870 »

One of my favorites...
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Which rifle should I shoot today???
Jeff Michel
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Re: 38-40 Is There A Better Cartridge?

Post by Jeff Michel »

It's the one to beat!
Hi Kirk, Hope your doing well. That 14 1/2 shoots great!
Take care,
Jeff
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1578Tiger
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Re: 38-40 Is There A Better Cartridge?

Post by 1578Tiger »

I do like the Colt Lightenings! .38-40 is a good round, but I have little experience with.
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SSShooter
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Re: 38-40 Is There A Better Cartridge?

Post by SSShooter »

Most folks do not know that there are two (2) 38-40 cartridges. Check out the 38-40 Remington-Hepburn as well as the 38-40 WCF. I shoot the 38-40 RH as my Schuetzen round.
Glenn
Kirk Stovall
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Re: 38-40 Is There A Better Cartridge?

Post by Kirk Stovall »

SSShooter wrote: Wed Jul 14, 2021 4:43 am Most folks do not know that there are two (2) 38-40 cartridges. Check out the 38-40 Remington-Hepburn as well as the 38-40 WCF. I shoot the 38-40 RH as my Schuetzen round.
While looking this chambering up, I found a website that makes all sorts of brass for out of production cartridges, including the 38-40 Hepburn...

https://www.ammunitionartifacts.com/uni ... ?offset=49
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Kirk Stovall
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Re: 38-40 Is There A Better Cartridge?

Post by Kirk Stovall »

Found another 38-40 in Cody...

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mdeland
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Re: 38-40 Is There A Better Cartridge?

Post by mdeland »

Well I would have to say the 44-40 and .45 Colt are better cartridges overall but I sure enjoy looking at your pile of vintage hardware ! :D
SSShooter
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Re: 38-40 Is There A Better Cartridge?

Post by SSShooter »

Kirk Stovall wrote: Wed Jul 14, 2021 5:22 am
SSShooter wrote: Wed Jul 14, 2021 4:43 am Most folks do not know that there are two (2) 38-40 cartridges. Check out the 38-40 Remington-Hepburn as well as the 38-40 WCF. I shoot the 38-40 RH as my Schuetzen round.
While looking this chambering up, I found a website that makes all sorts of brass for out of production cartridges, including the 38-40 Hepburn...

https://www.ammunitionartifacts.com/uni ... ?offset=49
Thanks for the link.
I've cut-down both R-P & Win 303 & 30-40 brass at the moment. The 30-40 is considerably thicker brass when cut to the proper length, so requires more work. To fit a bullet that matches the barrel's 0.375" I've had to bore the inside of the case mouths. A pain-in-the-a**, but a necessary evil with both, though the 303 needs less brass removed. Forester makes a decent rig for same and the brass cuts better prior to annealing (ask me how I know). I'll eventually give it a try at a BPCR match, though it will not be a surprise if a few rams (assuming I hit them) will laugh at my 325gr bullets going about 800fps (my guess) when they get out to 500m. Is an excellent Schuetzen round and my lighter weight-barrel makes it very well balanced for off-hand. Would also be a delight for deer hunting in the woods.
Glenn
Glen Ring
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Re: 38-40 Is There A Better Cartridge?

Post by Glen Ring »

When the .40 S&W round came out I thought it was the perfect round for stopping humans..then I read the ballistics of the old 38-40 and discovered folks had known what was perfect for decades.
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