The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - 40-82 Winchester Ammo?

**Mike Irwin** · February 11, 2013, 09:55 AM

"The second number on those old black powder cartridges represents the weight of the black powder charge in grains. Sometimes there is a third number, indicating the bullet weight, also in grains."

Occasionally you'll also find a fourth set of numbers, as well -- the case length in inches.

During the black powder era (just as today) some people had VERY definitive ideas about what made for a proper, accurate cartridge.

Some absolutely refused to accept a bottlenecked round, believing that the bottleneck degraded accuracy.

So, manufacturers often had two cases, or two companies both offered a similar cartridge, but one was necked, the other straight...

A good example is the .40-70 Sharps.

The necked case was 2.25 inches long, while the straight case was 2.5 inches long.

February 11, 2013, 09:55 AM	#15
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,380	"The second number on those old black powder cartridges represents the weight of the black powder charge in grains. Sometimes there is a third number, indicating the bullet weight, also in grains." Occasionally you'll also find a fourth set of numbers, as well -- the case length in inches. During the black powder era (just as today) some people had VERY definitive ideas about what made for a proper, accurate cartridge. Some absolutely refused to accept a bottlenecked round, believing that the bottleneck degraded accuracy. So, manufacturers often had two cases, or two companies both offered a similar cartridge, but one was necked, the other straight... A good example is the .40-70 Sharps. The necked case was 2.25 inches long, while the straight case was 2.5 inches long. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.