.40-72 Winchester

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.40-72 Winchester Center Fire
40-72 Winchester cartridge metallic.jpg
TypeRifle
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerWinchester Repeating Arms Company
ManufacturerWinchester Repeating Arms Company
Produced1895 to 1936
Specifications
Case typerimmed
Bullet diameter.406 in (10.3 mm)
Neck diameter.431 in (10.9 mm)
Base diameter.460 in (11.7 mm)
Rim diameter.518 in (13.2 mm)
Case length2.60 in (66 mm)
Overall length3.15 in (80 mm)
Rifling twist22
Primer typelarge rifle
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
330 gr (21 g) 1,380 ft/s (420 m/s) 1,395 ft⋅lbf (1,891 J)
300 gr (19 g) 1,420 ft/s (430 m/s) 1,342 ft⋅lbf (1,820 J)
Test barrel length: 26
Source(s): The Rifle in America[1]

The .40-72 Winchester, also known as .40-72 WCF is a centerfire straight-walled rifle cartridge designed for black powder rather than smokeless powder. It was introduced in 1895 for the Winchester 1895 lever-action rifle.[2]

Description and performance[]

The .40-72 Winchester cartridge.

The original Winchester factory load consisted of a 300-grain (19 g) bullet at 1,420 ft/s (430 m/s) or a 330-grain (21 g) bullet at 1,380 ft/s (420 m/s).[1]

With the introduction of superior cartridges designed for smokeless powder, the .40-72 Winchester became obsolete and was soon dropped from production. Production of loaded cartridges by Winchester ceased in 1936.

The .40-72 WCF cartridge.

Besides the Winchester 1895 lever-action, the .40-72 Winchester was chambered in the Winchester 1885 single-shot rifle.[3]

Dimensions[]

40-72 Winchester dimensions mm.jpg

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Sharpe, Philip B. The Rifle in America. Funk & Wagnalls: 1958, p. 748.
  2. ^ Barnes, Frank C. Cartridges Of The World. Krause Publications: 1997.
  3. ^ Whelen, Townsend. The American Rifle. The Century Co.: 1918, p. 43.

External links[]

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