WB
Did it have 38 grs. of black powder?
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 12:44

The rifles were marked ".38 cal."?!! The .38-72 WCF "was" .38 caliber. They used it in the 1895 Win. It only adds to the speculation. Some DO say that .40-40 and .44-40 were too close?!

There was a .40-72 WCF (.407"), just a little smaller diameter than the .405 Win. (.411") and loaded with BP only. In fact the .401 WSL had the same diameter bullet as the older .40-72 WCF but with it's introduction in 1910, with powerful smokeless propellant, it was more powerful than the comparatively huge case .40-72 WCF. The 250 gr. WSL bullet was lighter than the 300/330 gr. .40-72 but it was 500 fps faster as well, out of the handy little M1910 semi-auto carbine. I saw where one polar expedition carried .38-72 Win. 1895 rifles for defense against polar bears and for taking large Walrus etc. I read one fellow busted off a round below deck and it traveled to the room above, bouncing around almost hitting several fellows. I think the chap later used the same rig to off himself in some time of despair.