.32-40 Winchester damaged case question

[mrcvs]

This afternoon I loaded some .32-40 rounds, using a 200 grain cast bullet, .321 diameter, using 14.0 grains IMR4227. On one of them, somehow, I caught the edge of the case with the bullet, depressing the case approximately slightly less than 1/8 the diameter of the case and approximately 1/2 the length of the seated part of the bullet. Do you think it is safe to shoot? How might it affect pressure? Would like to shoot round and dispose of damaged case, if at all possible.

[runfiverun]

twist the boolit out of the case dump the powder and either fix the case or toss it.
hot gas blowing into the side of your chamber is not really a good thing.

[mrcvs]

Okay...did that. Not worth ruining a vintage Winchester 1894 carbine over a damaged case.

[runfiverun]

about that 321 diameter....
you might be a bit happier with 323 or 324, my 32 special does well with 324.

[bosterr]

I agree with r5r, the bore of my Great Grand Daddy's '94 32-40 slugged at .3215 and am sizing to .323. It's scary accurate. I don't need an M die, I just use a generous chamfer and no lead shaving.

[mrcvs]

about that 321 diameter....
you might be a bit happier with 323 or 324, my 32 special does well with 324.

I would definitely be happier with .323 or .324, and preferably a 170 grain bullet. However, I was given 100 of these bullets for free, so "never look a gift horse in the mouth".

[cheetah]

It goes something like, "If it doesn't look right, don't do it." The rip and compression of brass with the soft bullet shouldn't cause a problem and the case will likely seal ok, BUT, the thing is not in my hand to make that judgement and really nobody should do that for you. As mentioned, pull the bullet, destroying it if you have to, dump the powder in the garden, and fire the empty case and primer in a safe manner.

[mrcvs]

I pulled the bullet already. It looked far worse than it was. Somehow, the ribbed surface of such a long 200 grain bullet snagged the edge of the case, causing damage that looked far worse than it was. Much of what I saw was a thin layer shaved from the lateral surface of the bullet.