Description

Winchester USA Cowboy .44-40 WCF 225gr Lead Flat Nose — 500 Rounds

The Winchester USA Cowboy 44-40 is the value-tier CAS load in the .44-40 WCF category.

A 225-grain Lead Flat Nose at 750 fps and 281 ft-lbs, loaded to subsonic velocities for rapid and comfortable shooting in lever-action rifles and single-action revolvers at SASS competition speeds.

At $0.96 per round for 500 rounds, this matches the Hornady Frontier LFN on per-round cost while delivering 20 grains more bullet weight — the heaviest .44-40 load in this cluster.

Winchester USA Cowboy — The Production CAS Line

The Winchester USA Cowboy line is Winchester’s dedicated production series for Cowboy Action Shooting.

The same flat-point bullet style used by competitive CAS shooters, loaded to the lower velocities that characterise competition cowboy loads.

Every cartridge in the Winchester USA Cowboy 44-40 is loaded to reduce muzzle blast and recoil for rapid target transitions.

The flat-nose bullet ensures reliable feeding through tubular lever-action magazines and clean hole-cutting in paper targets.

225 Grains — Heaviest Load in the .44-40 Cluster

The Winchester USA Cowboy 44-40 225-grain bullet is the heaviest in the .44-40 WCF category reviewed — 20 grains heavier than the Hornady Frontier LFN (205gr) and 25 grains heavier than the Winchester Super-X JSP (200gr).

Heavier bullets produce higher power factors at the same velocity.

At 225gr and 750 fps, the Winchester USA Cowboy 44-40 delivers a SASS power factor of approximately 168 — well above the minimum of 60 — while remaining subsonic and manageable in both rifle and revolver.

Subsonic at 750 fps

The 750 fps muzzle velocity is subsonic — below the speed of sound at sea level (~1,125 fps).

The load is intentionally tuned to produce the muted report and minimal recoil of traditional cowboy loads, consistent with the SASS spirit of authenticity.

Specifications

• Caliber: .44-40 WCF
• Bullet: 225 grain, Lead Flat Nose
• Muzzle velocity: 750 fps
• Muzzle energy: 281 ft-lbs
• Application: Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS/SASS), lever-action competition
• Lead free: No
• Cartridge case: Brass, reloadable
• Primer: Boxer, non-corrosive
• Velocity rating: Subsonic
• Country of origin: USA
• Quantity: 500 rounds (25 × 20-round boxes)

Browse the .44-40 WCF ammunition category. Specifications are published by SAAMI and by Winchester directly. Safe storage guidance is available from the NSSF.

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SHORT DESCRIPTION (above Add to Cart)

Winchester USA Cowboy .44-40 WCF. 225-grain Lead Flat Nose, 750 fps, 281 ft-lbs. Subsonic — loaded for rapid, comfortable shooting in rifles and revolvers. Heaviest .44-40 WCF load in this category (225gr vs 205gr Hornady, 200gr Super-X). SASS power factor ~168. Made in USA. 500 rounds (25 × 20-round boxes) at $0.96/round.

⚠️ WARNING: This product can expose you to Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

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💬 Before You Go — Shooting SASS or CAS With Winchester Cowboy .44-40?

Running the 225gr Cowboy load in competition? Leave a review with your rifle and revolver models, how many stages you ran, and how it feeds and cycles. High-volume CAS load data from actual SASS shooters helps the next competitor select the right load for their match. And if you came looking for a .44-40 WCF load we don’t carry, tell us. 🎯

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Please purchase and use ammunition responsibly and in accordance with all federal, state and local laws. Ammunition cannot be shipped to all jurisdictions — verify legal shipment to your address before ordering. Buyers must be of legal age in their jurisdiction. Not for sale to prohibited persons. Verify SASS/CAS match rules and minimum power factor requirements for your category before purchasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the 225gr Cowboy compare to the Hornady Frontier 205gr LFN in this category? Both are subsonic LFN CAS loads at $0.96/round. Winchester Cowboy: 225gr, 750 fps, 281 ft-lbs, 500 rounds. Hornady Frontier: 205gr, 725 fps, 239 ft-lbs, 520 rounds. Winchester is 20gr heavier, 25 fps faster, and 42 ft-lbs more energy — higher power factor (168 vs 149) with 20 fewer rounds. For shooters who want maximum SASS power factor margin or prefer a heavier bullet, Winchester Cowboy; for maximum round count per dollar, Hornady Frontier.

How does this compare to the Winchester Super-X 200gr JSP in this category? Completely different application. Winchester Super-X: 200gr JSP, 1,190 fps (rifle barrel), 629 ft-lbs, supersonic, $1.83/round — hunting and general use. Winchester USA Cowboy: 225gr LFN, 750 fps, 281 ft-lbs, subsonic, $0.96/round — CAS competition only. The Super-X costs nearly twice as much per round and is not the correct load for SASS competition.

What is the SASS power factor for this load? 225gr × 750fps ÷ 1,000 = 168.75. SASS minimum power factor for rifle and pistol calibers is 60. This load exceeds the minimum by a significant margin, providing compliance buffer even with velocity variation from shorter revolver barrels.

Why choose a heavier bullet for CAS competition? Some CAS shooters prefer heavier bullets for the increased “knock” on steel targets — the heavier slug transfers momentum more reliably for a visible plate hit. At the same velocity, a heavier bullet carries more power factor, providing greater compliance buffer in categories with higher minimum power factors. The trade-off is 20 fewer rounds per pack vs the Hornady Frontier 205gr.

Is this safe in original Winchester Model 1873 rifles? Standard-pressure Winchester USA Cowboy loads are rated for .44-40 WCF rifles in normal operating condition. Have any antique firearm inspected by a qualified gunsmith before use with any factory ammunition.

Is the brass reloadable? Yes — Boxer primer, brass case.

How many rounds is 500? 25 × 20-round boxes.

What’s the per-round cost? $480 / 500 = $0.96 per round.