Cartridge Details

The American Rifle


By Townsend Whelen · 1918

Several things to note that Whelen mentions in his 1918 book,

for the 44-40,


General,

Rifle Classes

HERCULES SHARPSHOOTER POWDER - This powder was introduced to give modern smokeless powder results in a diversified group of cartridges in which W. A. and Lightning would not burn properly . In some of them it achieved excellent velocities; in others little improvement over the black powder standards was obtained . 

Sharpshooter is a dense, nitroglycerine type of powder, with two sizes of grain, measuring about .08 inch in diameter by or and .015 inch thick , respectively. It will be noticed that this is a very fine powder which burns at great speed. It contains 40 percent, of nitroglycerine, which, together with the quick burning, makes it the most virulent eroding powder manufactured. The grains are graphited and perforated, hence look like black washers. The date of introduction was about 1903. The manufacturers probably had the conditions of the .45-70 cartridge as much in mind as those of any other when they formulated Sharpshooter, but it was intended for use in all cartridges which gave little bullet or neck resistance. Quick burning was one essential , ease of complete ignition another. In consequence Sharpshooter burns well, and gives accurate results in .45-70, .38-55, .32-40, .38-40 and many other such cartridges. The burning pressure required is 26,000 to 31,000 pounds. It will not burn well at much below this pressure, and above it it becomes very erratic and dangerous. It has been much recommended for reduced loads in high power rifles, even in .22 Savage High-Power, and .250-3000 Savage. In such loading it gives accurate results, but it is so destructive that its advantages are entirely outweighed. It is the powder considered best for automatic rifles, particularly those of the blow -back type of action . During recent years several of the cartridge loading cartridges have used it extensively in the so called “ High-Velocity, Low-Pressure " cartridges for rifles of the black-powder class, and for the real high-velocity ammunition of the same size cartridges. It is not the proper powder for the latter . 

The velocities developed with the usual Sharpshooter loading are the standard for black powder. The High-Velocity loading gives 1,600 to 1,970 feet at the muzzle, varying with different cartridges and bullets.

 In series Sharpshooter classes with W. A. , Lightning, and HiVel, and is the quickest burning of the four. In development it is years behind any nitrocellulose powder. If it's manufacture were to cease, its place could be filled by other existing powders without any loss whatever except for the gap between the quick burning No. 80, and the slower burning No. 18. At this point there is room for another nitrocellulose powder. 

Pistol Cartridge vs Rifle Cartridge

Which is it?

It really doesn't matter which a person decides to call it. I think what is important is to be familiar with the history when it comes to Winchester's own classifications and why. We may never know why it is called a "pistol caliber" today. This could be for completely different reasons...apparently taboo and not open for discussion!!

We all know the 44-40 (44 WCF) was first introduced as a "rifle cartridge" during 1873 but soon sought favor when Colt chambered the round during 1877 in their single action revolvers and in 1878 in their double action revolvers.

Winchester started "classifying" their cartridges in 1877 simply calling them Central Fire Cartridges. By 1879 Winchester separated the central fire cartridges into two separate classifications, according to G.R Watrous, January 1943.

During this time Watrous authored a 93 page book entitled Winchester Metallic Ammunition, Brass And Paper Shot Shells. Watrous wrote portions of this book with the help from the following ex-Winchester employees currently employed there at the time or from other's that had passed away over the years.

Deceased by 1943

During 1879 Winchester divides the cartridge classifications into two groups

The only exception to this was the 44 WCF (44-40) and the 38 WCF (38-40).

Why? Due to the rapidly increasing popularity of their M/73 rifle, Winchester in order to further increase it's use included both of their calibers in the "Pistol Size" classification, as more liberal discounts were allowed the trade than was given in the "Military & Sporting" classification.

This had absolutely nothing to do with performance!

This classification extended for many years until 1939 when they were changed to;

Removing the "Pistol Size" from the classification equation. 

Even through the 60's and 70's Winchester listed the 44-40 in both the revolver and rifle sections, technical data still shows it as always being a rifle cartridge.

Cartridge Details


Danial L. Shuey wrote two books, Vol 1 and Vol 2, about the WRA CO headstamped cartridges and their variants, which just happens to be their titles. These books have been a great source to help in dating Winchester cartridges. I will use these books, other sources and some cartridge samples as a guide to help list such items noted in the Winchester section.