.32-40 Ballard

The .32-40 Ballard (also called .32-40 Winchester) is an American rifle cartridge.

Introduced in 1884, the .32-40 was developed as a black powder match-grade round for the Ballard single-shot Union Hill No. 8 and 9 target rifles. Using a 165 gr bullet over 40 gr of black powder (muzzle velocity 1440 ft/s, muzzle energy 755 ftlbf), the factory load gained a reputation for fine accuracy, with a midrange trajectory of 11 in at 200 yard. It was available in Winchester and Marlin lever rifles beginning in 1886. It stopped being a factory chambering around 1940.

It provides performance sufficient for deer at up to 300 yard in a modern rifle, for which it can be loaded to about equal the .30-30. It is more than enough for varmints, including coyotes and wolves, or medium-sized game.

The .32-40 also served as the basis for Harry Pope's wildcat .33-40.