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It appears that the .30-40 Krag cartridge was developed as a smokeless cartridge. Therefore, all Winchester 1895’s, including flatsides, can be fired safely with smokeless powder. I believe this to be correct, even if these date to as early as 1895? Is this indeed correct?
I have a 95 Flatside in 30/40 , and have fired different brands of factory in It ( mostly Win of various ages ) ,and never noticed any ill effects.( FWIW ) Kick was less than I expected
Phil
I have a reproduction of the Winchester 1896 catalogue and smokeless cartridges were offered for both the 38-72 and the 40-72, so the earliest 1895’s could safely be fired using smokeless cartridges and modern smokeless loads duplicating original pressures and velocities.
The Model 1895 was chambered in .405Win and 30-06 Sprg granted the 30-06 did beat up the bolt face a bit with heavy use but the design is very strong.
25-20 said
I have a 95 Flatside in 30/40 , and have fired different brands of factory in It ( mostly Win of various ages ) ,and never noticed any ill effects.( FWIW ) Kick was less than I expectedPhil
How about a picture of your flatside?
My Flatside has been refinished which may upset some . I have a couple of lpics that I could email to anyone who can post pics. I want to get a good digital camera and learn to post pics . I was hoping that this site will change to a simple format like email attachment for pics
Phil
"The first smokeless caliber ever loaded by Winchester in 1893 though not cataloged until 1894 was the "30U.S.G." Though better known as the 30-40 Krag, that headstamp did not appear on Winchester Cartridges until after WWII" -Page 209 of Giles & Shuey’s "One Hundred Years of Winchester Cartridge Boxes 1856-1956".
Just thought I’d quote that little tid bit as it seems to explain things quite well.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
I’ve been collecting 1895’s for a while and always wanted a flatside, but never had the opportunity. As luck would have it, I got the chance for two in the past few months and I finally had a few bucks when the right deals came along. The first is a 40-72 with octagon barrel and serial number 637. Just yesterday picked up the one in back. It’s a 30-40 Krag with the almost unreal serial number 29.
Haven’t had the chance to shoot either one yet, but will work up some light target loads for both. I certainly don’t plan to hunt with either of them, so don’t feel the need to push any kind of heavy load through them. Although, if either of them groups well, I may be tempted to sneak out to the alfalfa field and go after a buck. Thanks for letting me share.
Ooo I am envious of the 40-72 flat side!! Don’t hesitate to load some cartridges to original ballistics for that one, provided you use smokeless powder slower than 2400. I had a 38-72 and found that 5744 with a magnum primer was just the ticket. Got a nice doe with mine, but it was not a flat side.
Mark D. said
I’ve been collecting 1895’s for a while and always wanted a flatside, but never had the opportunity. As luck would have it, I got the chance for two in the past few months and I finally had a few bucks when the right deals came along. The first is a 40-72 with octagon barrel and serial number 637. Just yesterday picked up the one in back. It’s a 30-40 Krag with the almost unreal serial number 29.
Haven’t had the chance to shoot either one yet, but will work up some light target loads for both. I certainly don’t plan to hunt with either of them, so don’t feel the need to push any kind of heavy load through them. Although, if either of them groups well, I may be tempted to sneak out to the alfalfa field and go after a buck. Thanks for letting me share.
Very neat!
Nice find. I like those flatsides with the tapered octagon barrels. Mine’s a .38-72, but serial number is not near as low as yours.
I’m kind of partial to the 38-72 as well. I have a second model with a round barrel. I’ve got a set of reloading dies for it, but haven’t come up with any brass yet. Thanks for the advise on using 5744. Been going to give it and 4759 a try.
Buffalo Arms might have some made by Captech (formerly Jamison). I had some and it was first class stuff.
I saw that first model .40-72 serial# 637 for sale at Collectors Firearms awhile back. Very nice rifle and very good buy, too. I was thinking about buying it, but "somebody" beat me to it… 
I hesitated briefly, since I already have a second model 40-72 with a 26" tapered octagon barrel. Alas, my overwhelming need for a flatside outweighed the grief I was knew I was going to get from my wife. 🙂
I live in a pretty remote area, so I don’t get to many gun shows except for the November Big Reno Show. That means I have to take some chances on internet guns and occasionally get lucky like I did on that one.
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