The .38-56 Winchester cartridge, also known as the .38-56 WCF (Winchester Center Fire), was introduced by Winchester in 1887 for use in the Winchester Model 1886 lever-action rifle. The cartridge features a .375-inch diameter bullet in a bottle-necked case that is 2.10 inches long. The overall cartridge length is around 2.55 inches. It was originally loaded with 56 grains of black powder, propelling a 255-grain lead bullet at a muzzle velocity of approximately 1,317 feet per second.
The .38-56 Winchester was designed for hunting medium to large game, such as deer and elk, and was popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, it has since become obsolete and is now primarily of interest to collectors and historical firearms enthusiasts. Due to its obsolescence, modern factory-loaded ammunition for the .38-56 Winchester is rarely available, but custom handloads can be made using reformed brass and appropriate bullets.