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I have been enjoying Bert’s article about Single Shot Calibers & Cartridges in the Winter 2021 Winchester Collector. I found it interesting that for all of the rifle caliber cartridges larger than .40 only the .40-60 WCF, .40-70 Sharps straight, .40-82 and .45-70 had production quantities greater than 1000 guns of each caliber.
As a generalization, it appears that the single shot rifle had much higher production in smaller calibers such as .22 WCF, .25 WCF/SS, .32 WCF, .32-40, .38-55, .38 WCF, .44 WCF. The .38 and .44 WCF seem to have been quite popular even though they are considered “pistol” calibers.
The low production of all the .50 caliber rifles doesn’t give me much hope I will ever be able to acquire one.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
Bill Hockett said
The .38 and .44 WCF seem to have been quite popular even though they are considered “pistol” calibers.
Strange–these aren’t small-game cartridges, or target cartridges, & for big game I’d sure want something with more punch & range if I had only one shot.
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Bill,
I attribute it to the fact that there were a lot of large bore cartridges to chose from, and everyone back then had their own ideas about which one suited them best. I tend to lump them all together simply as .40 caliber, or .45 caliber. The .50 caliber rifles are indeed scarce, and largest number of them were the 50 Eley (British cartridge) rifles that were nearly all exported to the U.K. and India.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bill Hockett said
I have been enjoying Bert’s article about Single Shot Calibers & Cartridges in the Winter 2021 Winchester Collector. I found it interesting that for all of the rifle caliber cartridges larger than .40 only the .40-60 WCF, .40-70 Sharps straight, .40-82 and .45-70 had production quantities greater than 1000 guns of each caliber.As a generalization, it appears that the single shot rifle had much higher production in smaller calibers such as .22 WCF, .25 WCF/SS, .32 WCF, .32-40, .38-55, .38 WCF, .44 WCF. The .38 and .44 WCF seem to have been quite popular even though they are considered “pistol” calibers.
The low production of all the .50 caliber rifles doesn’t give me much hope I will ever be able to acquire one.
Funny how I’ve seen a lot more .45-90’s than I have .40-60 WCF’s (in the single-shot model).
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