Magazine article on TCR 83 (or 87?) in 32-40

[ohland]

The old retrobate pulled another gee-whiz factoid out... In the dim past, someone wrote an article on a TCR 83 (or 87?) in 32-40. As part of the article, he used some 8mm bullets and supposedly reported fine accuracy.

Having said this, chances are the story is from a better day without blood sucking bottom-feeders (lawyers?) to worry about.

No idea what the magazine was, but my hunch it was Handloader. Guns & Ammo?

[pietro]

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AFAIK, the .32-40 TCR barrel was an un-cataloged, T/C Custom Shop (Fox Ridge Outfitters) exclusive.



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[gewehrfreund]

It was in Rifle magazine, I believe (maybe Handloader). I have that issue as it's from back when I was subscribing to both.
I also have a TCR87 with a 32-40 barrel, and these were a catalog offering, not just custom shop. FWIW, I have shot 8mm (.322 and .323) jacketed and cast bullets in my TCR without any ill effects to either me or the rifle. After all, we're talking about one or two thousands of an inch!

I also have a Winchester 1885 Highwall Traditional Hunter in 32-40 and a relined Ruger #1, neither of which I've had much chance to shoot yet. I would have even less concern shooting 8mm bullets in these rifles.

[ohland]

It was in Rifle magazine, I believe (maybe Handloader). I have that issue as it's from back when I was subscribing to both.

Any guess about when the article came out? Starting search operations...

[ohland]

Perhaps first contact:

1997, No. 6 - ".32-40 TCR '87" Dale Gowen, starting on page 46, eight pp. of loads fired in the Thompson Contender rifle, in No. 190, Handloader, December 1997

The March-April issue (#162) of Handloader has an informative history and dimensional drawing of the .32-40 cartridge in its "Cartridge Board" column. Don't mistake it for the 32-40 Remington or Bullard.

[ohland]

Went through things last night, luck would have it, it was in a stack up here.

Some tidbits.
Use Lee push-through sizer of .321 to resize 8mm bullets. He used a few light bullets for the 8mm Nambu.

Used the 2.125? case, he mentions 2.130 is maximum length.

Used some bullets from Naval Ordinance Works, Shepardstown, WV.

The 20" barrel was from SSK, 26" from TC, called a Scheutzen Style, with very little leade.

[gewehrfreund]

That all sounds right. He came up with some strange bullets that I have never seen in my travels.