Winchester Load Data

Winchester Repeating Arms Company holds a distinguished place in American firearms history as one of the most iconic manufacturers of repeating rifles and ammunition. Founded in 1866 by Oliver Winchester in New Haven, Connecticut, the company quickly became renowned for its innovative lever-action rifles, including the legendary Winchester Model 1873, often dubbed "The Gun That Won the West."

Despite its early success and influence, the company faced financial challenges during the Great Depression and entered receivership in 1931. It was subsequently acquired by the Western Cartridge Company, which later evolved into the Olin Corporation. Today, Olin still owns the Winchester brand name for ammunition production, continuing the legacy of reliable and high-performance cartridges under the Winchester label.

The Winchester firearms brand, however, operates under license agreements. Firearms bearing the Winchester name are now manufactured by subsidiaries of the Herstal Group—specifically FN Herstal in Belgium and the Browning Arms Company, headquartered in Ogden, Utah. These manufacturers uphold the Winchester tradition by producing a range of hunting and sporting firearms, including modern versions of the company’s historic models.

Though the original Winchester Repeating Arms Company no longer exists as an independent entity, the Winchester name endures as a symbol of innovation, craftsmanship, and American frontier heritage, thanks to its continued use in both ammunition and firearm markets.