Is anyone loading 32-40?

[Cavediver]

My father gave me a rifle a while back:
John Wayne Commemorative

Unfortunately, he stored it in a case in the attic along with the leather saddle tie (?), and one side of the rifle rusted to the point of pitting. It's not horrible, but it's (probably) bad enough to make it a shooter instead of a collectable.

If that's the case, there's no time like the present to take it to the range
Unfortunately for me, it's chambered in 32-40; commercial ammo is almost non-existent, and reloading info seems to be pretty scarce. Oh yeah, and the brass is also pretty difficult to find.

Lol

So, is this a cartridge worth reloading? Is it going to be a good shooter? I've read some good things about this caliber, and I know I can form my own brass from 30-30(?), bit is it really worth the trouble if I'm not into cowboy action shooting?

Thanks!

 

[Sunray]

Hi. Commemoratives are only collector stuff if they're still sealed in the box. Nothing really special about 'em. Rusted and pitted it has no collector value at all.
With your rifle reloading is likely the only way you'll be shooting it. Except for the little to no brass or ammo around. However, Old Western Scrounger(www.ows-ammo.com) is listing loaded ammo at $34.95 per 20. Made out of .30-30 cases. Apparently, they have 3 boxes. Best you buy 'em all.
There's a fair bit on Gunbroker too. Auctions are not the best places to buy ammo though.
RCBS dies run $60 at Midway. There's .324" data on Hodgdon's site. More here. 170 grain jacketed only. http://stevespages.com/321_2_170.html
A fair bit on Reloader's Nest. And I have 170 jacketed, plus 164 and 184 grain cast with gas check in an old Lyman book if you want it.

 

[Edarnold]

The .32-40 Winchester/Ballard cartridge was the favorite chambering during the 1880/1920 period for single-shot target rifles. If you can settle for minute of angle potential, then the cartridge should be good enough for target work (smile). How accurate your '94 will be is another matter.

A search found new unprimed brass at Midway USA, check to see if they actually have it. .30-30 brass can be fire-formed by expanding the neck and loading a full charge of bullet and powder, they will be a bit short and need to be trimmed the first loading. The cartridge is a joy to shoot because it doesn't beat you up with recoil: proper ballistics are a 170- 190gr. Bullet at 1200- 1300fps. Montana bullet works offers six different designs in the correct .321" to .324" diameter: yes, that's LEAD bullets, which is what the cartridge and the original Winchester rifle were designed for. You can waste your time on jacketed bullets, but cast are the correct choice for accuracy. Proper powders include IMR 4227 and 4198, several others in the same burn rate will also work.

Dies should be available from all the manufacturers, because of the low pressures that this cartridge works at you don't need to full-length resize unless the chambering gets sticky, cases should last pretty much forever. If you decide to go go ahead with this project drop me a message, I may have a set of dies somewhere that you can have. Also more info on appropriate load data.

 

[Cavediver]

Thanks to you both. The rifle is in pretty good condition, it's just a small portion of one side showing pitting. Too bad too, as the rest of it is really nice looking.

As far as the dies are concerned, does one brand stand out from the rest, or, since I'm not chasing 1/4MOA groups, will any of them work as well as the others?

I'm still on the fence about this, just trying to make up my mind at this point.

Montana bullet works offers six different designs in the correct .321" to .324" diameter

I'm assuming I'd have to slug the barrel to find the correct fit? I've yet to do that with any of my firearms; would I be better off as a first timer to have it done for me, or is it easy enough to accomplish? (I've read the theory, but it sounds like it's be a bit difficult on a rifle without specialty gear...)

Thanks for your input!

 

[stubbicatt]

As a general rule if such dies are available in that chambering I have found RCBS to be a good choice. RCBS Cowboy dies if possible...

 

[GooseGestapo]

Try over at www. MarlinOwners.com. There's a lot of "hyphenated" cartridge shooters to include myself (.25-36Marlin!).
There's a world of knowledge on the .32-40. Winchester owners are welcomed and appreciated! Come on over.
.30/30 cases will work well. Cast boolits are necessary! So, investigate www.castbollits.com too!
Before you know it you'll be hooked for life with your newly discovered "shooter"!

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

It is worth reloading. If you can find 32 Winchester Special brass it is even better to fire form since the neck is already 32. It is usually easier to find than 32-40. If all fails fire form 30-30 brass.