Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Cowboy Action Shooting .38-40 Ammo in Colt Lightening

Looking at a Colt Lightening from 1898.. Were these built to handle smokeless powder loads?

It's marked .38 cal on the octagonal barrel.

I've wanted one since i was a kid and looking to smack a deer with it just for Sheets and Giggles if i do end up with it.

Anybody have any of this ammo floating around near Tennessee?

I think it would be fine with black powder loads or light loads, I have a bunch of brass if interested, I do have ammo but it's a pain to ship.

My grandfather had one in 38-40. His six sons and most of my older cousins used it as a first deer rifle growing up. I think last time anyone tried to use it was early 70s. A lot of deer and a few black bear taken with that old rifle. Pretty much worn out decades ago, barrel was cut back couple of times, got to where bullets would tumble more often than not. It's still in the family, but just a wall hanger now. And yes, factory smokeless ammo.

I shoot several original 38-40’s in original guns including 2 Colt Lightning rifles. They will work fine with factory cowboy loads and handloads that are made to replicate original factory loads with smokeless powder..

How does the USFA Lightning (no long made) compare with the original? I guess they're collectors to some, shooters to others.

I think you know something about this .38-40 Lightning.

DF

USFA guns are of exceptional quality. That one of yours is rare, I probably should have kept it.

I have originals in 38-40 and shoot them a lot...

Nice set of guns, there.

Nothing like the originals for nostalgia and style points.

1873's are known to be really fast CAS rifles.

Can you shoot a Lightning faster than an 1873?

DF

Absolutely!

Factory cowboy loads are fine, and fun.