Who has hunted with the 38-40 Cartridge

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

Who on this site has experience hunting with the 38 WCF? Have you taken anything bigger than a smaller doe? At what range & with what load? Look forward to hearing some anecdotes. Heck, don't even let the truth get in the way of a good story LOL!. Looking to see what one of my ole girls can pull off if I take it out hunting next fall...

 

[Ardent]

Even a rented Honda civic will kill deer if your wife gets close enough.

There’s no question a .40 S&W from the 19th century will make a hole in a heart and has done it many times. If it’s special to you and your shots are close I say use it.

 

[Lee Enfield]

I would strongly recommend handloading it over any factory ammo.

Just based on my experience with 1970s winchester jacketed ammo out of a revolver.

 

[trebor2880]

This was the "Duke's" favorite cartridge. And when has John Wayne ever steered us wrong?

 

[Dukester]

So Second Hand anecdotal !
The deer camp I hunted out of goes back at least into the 1930's, likely further. Arden area. So this legendary fella , likely an uncle of the camp owner was known for 2 things.
He always had a fire on his watch. And if you heard him shoot there would be a deer down.
He used a 38-40 , and it is said you can see the bullets from a 38-40 going downrange.

So endeth the anecdote, but knowing the players I put a lot of faith in it's veracity.

 

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

Dukester I figure that cartridge has little more jam than it's older brother for deer out to, let's say 75 yards. Purely a guess thought. But a 180 gr. medium to harder cast bullet should be all that's needed. & For the record I've seen a lot of deer... The minute I lite up a smoke LOL!

 

[Ardent]

Just be ready for a long walk. It’ll be dead, just unlikely anywhere close.

 

[billdick]

216 yards in the head and dead. It felt like it took forever for the bullet to hit lobbing its way in there but when it did I have meat for the freezer. Practiced a lot with old girl and a lyman flip up sight. Shot a few more under a 100 yards and they died too. Shot placement matters.

 

[saskgunowner101]

Haven't ever used the 38-40, but my internet wisdom is as good as the next guys internet wisdom. I imagine out to 75-100 meters it will work alright, and a heart/lung shot results in a dead deer within 100-150 meters if you don't go chase after it. Looks like Reloader 7 is the ticket for higher velocities (relatively speaking) while keeping the pressures within spec. 180 grain bullets at 1,700 fps or 200's at 1,600 probably won't bounce off a deer.

 

[fingers284]

I'm interested in what rifle you have in 38-40. I have an 1889 Marlin in 38-40 that I plan on using this fall as well. they will be smokeless loads but well within BP parameters so under 100 yrds will be my limit.

As for the "long walk" comment, I have killed several deer with BP velocity cast slugs from .379 to .458 and can say the furthest I've had one go is about 4 jumps and one of those .458 kills was at a stepped off 245 paces.

 

[dan belisle]

So Second Hand anecdotal !
The deer camp I hunted out of goes back at least into the 1930's, likely further. Arden area. So this legendary fella , likely an uncle of the camp owner was known for 2 things.
He always had a fire on his watch. And if you heard him shoot there would be a deer down.
He used a 38-40 , and it is said you can see the bullets from a 38-40 going downrange.

So endeth the anecdote, but knowing the players I put a lot of faith in it's veracity.

I shoot a 38-40. Pretty close to 10mm ballistics, I don't see my bullets going downrange. Lol, maybe my eyes are too old. - dan

 

[mbogo3]

RE#7 is a great powder for the 38-40 and 44-40
https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?134807-38-40-Load-Advice

 

[mbogo3]

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/reloading-38-wcf-rifles/380329

 

[AlbertaJohn]

Is a .38-55 much better than a 38-40?

 

[mbogo3]

Yes much.........the 38-40 is actually .40 caliber with 180gr bullet around 1200fps+ The 38-55 uses a 255gr in a .377-.379+ diameter bullet anywhere between a sedate 1200 fps to 1600fps+ in warmer factory loads.Depending on the firearm strength handloading improves both .

 

[DANCESWITHEMPTIES]

I'm interested in what rifle you have in 38-40.

Mine is a 1873 with a 24 inch round barrel produced in the late 1880's.

 

[DOUGLAS D]

From what I’ve read the Jordon buck which was number one B&C for years was taken with a 25-20.
The 38-40 should be able to do the trick if the range isn’t to great.
Lots of deer taken with 44-40’s back in the day.

 

[dan belisle]

Is a .38-55 much better than a 38-40?

The 38-55 is a rifle cartridge. The 38-40 is a handgun cartridge, though you can. Also find it in small frame lever action rifles. - dan

 

[Ardent]

216 yards in the head and dead. It felt like it took forever for the bullet to hit lobbing its way in there but when it did I have meat for the freezer. Practiced a lot with old girl and a lyman flip up sight. Shot a few more under a 100 yards and they died too. Shot placement matters.

216 yard head shot with drop equal to a .22 (2’) and 2/3rds of a second flight time, from an old Winchester, is a bold move even for CGN.

 

[maple_leaf_eh]

....

There’s no question a .40 S&W from the 19th century will make a hole in a heart and has done it many times. If it’s special to you and your shots are close I say use it.

I had to educate myself on the .38-40 with Cartridges of the World. It is not a very powerful cartridge. It was originally a .38-cal bullet over 40 grains of black for revolvers and lever action rifles. The analogy to a .40 S&W is good. Are your willing to use your tag firing a pistol cartridge at a deer? There haven't been factory loads for this one for 80-90 years. Maybe there is a reason for that.