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Thread: M1894 Winchester in .32-40

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

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    M1894 Winchester in .32-40

    I just picked up this carbine that dates to 1929. By this time the .32-40 had been largely superseded by the .32 Winchester Special in the 1894. This one is somewhat of a rarity. In addition, it has the desirable nickel steel barrel. While this one has some bluing loss, the bore is mint - that's what's important to me. I slugged the bore, it came out at .3205" . I'll start out with .322" 170gr bullets.

    So does anyone have a good pet .32-40 load? Thanks.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 20200222_171224.jpg  

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
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    My 32 40 is a Marlin and shoots shoots very good with 165 grain boolet sized .321 and 14.5 grains of IMR 4227:

    Velocity runs 1450 fps with this load.

    10 shots at 100 yards.


    The same charge of IMR 4227 with a 180 grain boolet doesn’t shoot quite as tight of groups but still very respectable:

    Velocity with 180 grain boolet is 1400 fps.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master pietro's Avatar
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    .

    A .32 gun is nothing but fun ! .

    .
    Now I lay me down to sleep
    A gun beside me is what I keep
    If I awake, and you're inside
    The coroner's van is your next ride

  4. #4
    Boolit Master

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    I agree Pietro. I'm at the point in life where the big crash 'n boomers aren't as much fun to shoot as they used to be. Nowadays I shoot a lot more .32-20, .32 Extra Long rimfire and .32 Ballard Extra Long. With the 94, I decided to move up to the 32-40 for a little more range.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master Bad Ass Wallace's Avatar
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    I just about wet myself at the gun dealer today, from a deceased estate, an original Winchester '94 in 32/40. By the serial number it was made in 1906 probably a "special order" 1/2 magazine and 26" 1/2 octagonal 1/2 round barrel.

    In non-firing condition (won't cock) I made an offer of $AU150, Get an answer tomorrow. Here is hoping.
    Hold Still Varmint; while I plugs Yer!

  6. #6
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bad *** Wallace View Post
    I just about wet myself at the gun dealer today, from a deceased estate, an original Winchester '94 in 32/40. By the serial number it was made in 1906 probably a "special order" 1/2 magazine and 26" 1/2 octagonal 1/2 round barrel.

    In non-firing condition (won't cock) I made an offer of $AU150, Get an answer tomorrow. Here is hoping.
    Sounds sweet! Did you get a photo?

    When I looked ar mine, I found it would not hold half cock. I negotiated the price accordingly. I tore it down and found both the hammer notch and sear badly abused. I have a new sear and good original type 2 hammer coming now. That one should be any easy fix too.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 20200224_173051.jpg   20200224_173014.jpg  

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    That's nice! If I every buy another Win 1894 I'd want it to be a .32-40, or maybe a .38-55.

    Chris.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
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    I have 2 94 carbines in .32-40. also 2 rifles 1 a round barrel takedown the other a octagon. I won a few matches with takedown the load was the 165 gr lyman bullet for the 8mm lubed with spg and 35gr of 2f through a 24 inch drop tube cases were formed from .30-30.

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by bob208 View Post
    I have 2 94 carbines in .32-40. also 2 rifles 1 a round barrel takedown the other a octagon. I won a few matches with takedown the load was the 165 gr lyman bullet for the 8mm lubed with spg and 35gr of 2f through a 24 inch drop tube cases were formed from .30-30.
    Thanks. I just formed 50 cases tonight from 38-55 brass. I hope to get to the range next week.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master

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    I installed the new sear and replacement original type 2 hammer to resolve the damaged sear and half cock notch problem. Works as good as new now. The old 1929 vintage .32-40 is ready for duty!

  11. #11
    Boolit Master AntiqueSledMan's Avatar
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    Hello ndnchf,

    I have a Marlin 1893 which is 32-40, I shoot 30-30 cases formed & trimmed to 2.045", I know correct length is 2.120".
    I use the RCBS 32-170-FN bullet mold, which is for the 32 Special. But it crimps in the groove & makes O.A.L. under 2.5".
    I've been loading 22.0 gr of HercRx 7, starting load from the Lyman Reloading Manual 44th Edition (1967) for jacketed bullets.

    AntiqueSledMan.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by AntiqueSledMan View Post
    Hello ndnchf,

    I have a Marlin 1893 which is 32-40, I shoot 30-30 cases formed & trimmed to 2.045", I know correct length is 2.120".
    I use the RCBS 32-170-FN bullet mold, which is for the 32 Special. But it crimps in the groove & makes O.A.L. under 2.5".
    I've been loading 22.0 gr of HercRx 7, starting load from the Lyman Reloading Manual 44th Edition (1967) for jacketed bullets.

    AntiqueSledMan.
    Thanks. I've read good things about the RCBS 32-170FN. I've used RX7 in my 32-20 loads. Glad to hear of succesd with it in .32-40 also.

  13. #13
    Boolit Master

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    I ordered 100 pieces if new 32-40 brass. But 30-30 brass is 1/3 the cost. What do you do to form it to 32-40?

  14. #14
    Boolit Master AntiqueSledMan's Avatar
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    ndnchf,

    I ran a .32 expander through first (32 Special), then just ran through my LEE 32-40 sizer.
    The reason I expanded first is because the LEE expander would pull out of the die while forming. Probably not necessary with other dies.
    The 32 special bullet crimp groove groove is lower than the original 32-40 bullet,
    and the 30-30 cases are long enough to make O.A.L. with this bullet.

    AntiqueSledMan.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master

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    Quote Originally Posted by AntiqueSledMan View Post
    ndnchf,

    I ran a .32 expander through first (32 Special), then just ran through my LEE 32-40 sizer.
    The reason I expanded first is because the LEE expander would pull out of the die while forming. Probably not necessary with other dies.
    The 32 special bullet crimp groove groove is lower than the original 32-40 bullet,
    and the 30-30 cases are long enough to make O.A.L. with this bullet.

    AntiqueSledMan.
    I just ordered 100 off GB, It just so happens I have RCBS 32WS dies and Lee 32-40 dies. Now to find the best price for that mold thanks!

  16. #16
    Boolit Master Bad Ass Wallace's Avatar
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    Get my hands on the '94 tomorrow (cooling off period) but meantime I have formed 50 pieces from 38/55. Going to try some commercial cast boolits as well as some Saeco 8mm sized to 0.322"

    Hold Still Varmint; while I plugs Yer!

  17. #17
    Boolit Buddy
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    At our club, we shoot lever guns to 300 yards. I've been wanting to pick up a 94 Winchester and every now and then one shows up in 32-40 but I've been passing on them waiting for a 38-55. If my information is correct, the 32-40 has a 1 in 16 twist, same as the 32 Winchester Special. Bad ***, with your assortment of bullets that you show, I would be interested to see how yours shoots if you can shoot it past 200 yards. That might help me make a decision on what caliber to buy. If one of those bullets does shoot accurately to 300 yards , could you take a measurement of the length of that bullet for me? Thanks.
    Last edited by Old-Win; 03-01-2020 at 12:40 PM.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master AntiqueSledMan's Avatar
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    Hey Guys,

    I had to dig out some of my 32-40's.
    The one on the left is a 32-40 case trimmed,
    Center one is a John Wayne factory load,
    the one on the right is my 30-30 case formed & trimmed.
    Both cast loads are with the RCBS 32-170-FN with gas check.
    One could use the LEE C324-175-1R 8mm, but I wanted a flat nose.

    AntiqueSledMan.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 32-40-1.jpg  
    Last edited by AntiqueSledMan; 03-01-2020 at 10:09 AM.

  19. #19
    Boolit Master

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    I just measured the twist of my 1929 carbine - its 1 in 16". To get started I bought a box of Hunter Supply .322" 170gr flat points. I've got about 50 rounds loaded in brass formed from 38-55. To start I loaded 12.5gr if 2400. Half I sized to .321", the others I left as us at .322". Groove size of my carbine is .3205". I also have a Lee 8mm mold. They drop at .324" so will need to be sized if I try them. Lee bullet on the left, Hunter Suuply on the right and with a loaded round.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 32_40 bullets.jpg  

  20. #20
    Boolit Master veeman's Avatar
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    Interesting. When forming from 38-55 or 30-30, do you anneal first? I have a box of 100 32-40 brass I bought from Midway 30 or so years ago, with the intention of getting a 1894 in that caliber, still haven't got one, but it's getting closer. Like, next on the to-get list.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check