Rolling Block in .32-40

[richhodg66]

Got a medium sized Remington Rolling Block that has been relined to .32-40. I formed soem brass for it the other day, just cast some Ideal 321232 (165 grain flat nose, plain based) which has been a good bullet at low speeds in a Marlin .32 Special of mine.

I have an old (1970s) and new Lyman cast bullet handbook. No data for that particular bullet, but seems to be adequate seeing as how I'm not looking to hot rod it. I cast these pretty soft so looking for something around .22 LR velocities.

Any advice?

[country gent]

Richhodg66, While not the same mold number my newer cast bullet handbook ( 4th edition) shows Lyman 319247 165 grain withtrail boss 6.0 grns for 1007 fps and 18,000 cup. Potential most accurate load is RX-7 16.5 grains for 1476 and 14,600 cup, IMR 4198 16.5 grains for 1495 fps and 14,600 cup. these are all starting loads from the manual. Hope this helps you out.

[turtlezx]

what powder do you have ??

[richhodg66]

Quite a few. Old manual lists a lot of fast pistol powders, Unique, Red Dot, etc. Newer one lists 5744, which I have, but it doesn't seem right with plain based bullets.

I think I still have some SR 4759, might just try that.

[marlinman93]

I use 8.0 grs. of Unique, with a 170 grain cast lead. A very nice shooting load for my old Ballard and Rolling Block.

[Frank46]

Don't forget that IMR 4759 and either of the 4227's (IMR and Hogdon) have been used in the 32-40 for many years. Seem to remember between 13-14 grains of either would be a good starting point. Frank

[stubbicatt]

I shoot a 200 grainer in my 32-40 and have found 13.8 grains IMR4227 is very good, very accurate. I haven't chrono'd the load yet, but anticipate well under 1400 fps. I use a 20-1 alloy and find that it works just fine.

[Reverend Al]

I shoot several .32-40's and I use a Rapine 165 grain flat nose plain base bullet that is likely fairly similar to the bullet you are describing. My "go to" load is about 11 to 12 grains of 2400. My High Wall and my relined Ballard both shoot them all into one big hole at 100 yards if I don't drink too much coffee first ...

[ascast]

you might try some 4198 if you have any

[richhodg66]

Not sure if I still have any 4198. I do have 2400 and 4227. Is IMR4895 a good choice? Seems to work well in a lot of things.

[stubbicatt]

Not sure if I still have any 4198. I do have 2400 and 4227. Is IMR4895 a good choice? Seems to work well in a lot of things.

I don't know about IMR4895, but Hodgdon's website says that you can use H4895 at 60% of max load for a cartridge, to get a nice reduced load for a cast bullet. I haven't tried it yet, but it is on my list of things to experiment with.

[Green Frog]

My go-to load for 32-40 in Winchester high walls is 13.6 gr of IMR 4759 behind about any bullet from 165-185 grains. This is a mild target load so I feel safe suggesting it for your RB if it's in good condition. If you like this load, STOCK UP NOW on 4759... it's been discontinued. ��

Froggie

[marlinman93]

If you like 4759 I'd never even start with it. You'll love it, and then you wont be able to find it. Tough even now to find it. Most of us hoard it, if we've used it long.

[richhodg66]

I loaded and shot some today with about seven grains of Unique at about 30 yards here at the house. The little rifle shoots quite well especially considering the open sights and rather heavy trigger pull.

I like it. I do have some gas checked NOE bullets I used in deer loads in my .32 Special if I want a heavy load. I also have a .323 round ball mold I may try some gallery loads with when I get around to it.

[stubbicatt]

If you like 4759 I'd never even start with it. You'll love it, and then you wont be able to find it. Tough even now to find it. Most of us hoard it, if we've used it long.

No kidding. I have 1 pound of it I found last fall. I haven't even opened it, as if I like it, I'll be in a pickle. LOL.

I have some 5744 that I used in a 45-70. I may try that and see if I can grow to like it. But I have a few pounds of IMR4227 that should keep me in clover for awhile. In really rough conditions and experimentation I have gotten a 1" group at 100 yards with this powder, so I think there is promise here...

[ndnchf]

What do you mean by "medium sized Rolling Block"? A #2 is considered medium sized. But these were never chamber in 32-40. The largest 32 cartridge in a #2 is a 32 extra long rimfire. 32-40 is considerably more powerful and runs at a higher pressure. If yours is a #2, then be very careful and keep your loads very light. Remington knew what they were doing - safety first!

[marlinman93]

What do you mean by "medium sized Rolling Block"? A #2 is considered medium sized. But these were never chamber in 32-40. The largest 32 cartridge in a #2 is a 32 extra long rimfire. 32-40 is considerably more powerful and runs at a higher pressure. If yours is a #2, then be very careful and keep your loads very light. Remington knew what they were doing - safety first!

Good point! Didn't catch the "medium size" in the first post. Maybe a #2 or a #1 1/2? Either not a great choice for .32-40, nut the #1 1/2 probably better of the two.

[richhodg66]

"Got a medium sized Remington Rolling Block that has been relined to .32-40."

Like I said in the original post, it has been relined at some point, so, no, not a factory original .32-40. Can't tell looking at the muzzle but when you open the breech, it's pretty plain to see the liner. Might have been some kind of rimfire at some point that was converted to centerfire, there's a hole in the block where it might have had a rimfire firing pin.

Good advice, though. I never planned on hot rodding it. The loads I was shooting are probably around 1000 FPS with that bullet which weighed a little over 180 grains.

[ndnchf]

So which action is it? Please post a photo.

[marlinman93]

Top to bottom. #1, # 1 1/2, #2, #3, #4 Remingtons:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/rem1_1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/rem1_1.jpg.html)

[ndnchf]

Top to bottom. #1, # 1 1/2, #2, #3, #4 Remingtons:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/rem1_1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/rem1_1.jpg.html)

Nice family photo! I hope the OP can match his to one of them.

[richhodg66]

Top to bottom. #1, # 1 1/2, #2, #3, #4 Remingtons:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v691/marlinguy/rem1_1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/marlinguy/media/rem1_1.jpg.html)

Looks like the 1 1/2. I used to have a military one in 7x57mm and this one is definitely not that big. I've also handled small ones in .22 and .32-20 and such and it's bigger than those.

Dad also gave me another one in .32-20 and it appears to also been relined and is the exact same action. Haven't shot that one yet.

[ndnchf]

If it's a 1-1/2, you should be ok, just remember that they are made of soft steel. I'd be concerned if it was a #2. I have three #2s, they are wonderful rifles, but they were made for mild rimfire and centerfire cartridges. The 32-40 is out of its league. Please share a photo of yours, we all like show and tell ;-)

[marlinman93]

The #2 was chambered from .22RF to .44-40 CF. Can't say as I've ever seen a #2 in .44-40, but have seen one in .38-40 caliber. The #1 1/2 is just a thinner version of the #1, with equal length top and bottom tangs. As you can see from my picture, the #1 has a step in the receiver side, where the #1 1/2 doesn't. Remington simply milled that extra metal off to make the #1 1/2 receiver thinner and lighter. The profile of the two is identical. The #1 1/2 was chambered for pistol calibers duplicating the #2. I have seen #1 1/2 in .44-40, but mostly I see them in .38RF, .32RF, and .22RF. The one pictured is a .22RF.
As long as loads are kept down in pressure, the #1 1/2 should work OK with .32-40 cartridges.

[ndnchf]

I'm too have heard that the #2 was chambered in 44-40, but never seen one. I have seen one in 44 rimfire. I'd think the 44-40 might be at the upper edge of safety for a #2, especially the later high velocity loads. I shoot my #2s that are in 32-20 and 32 extra long rimfire. Both are a lot of fun and very pleasant. In a heavier rifle, I think the 32-40 would be a lot of fun for longer ranges.

[richhodg66]

I've actually gotten the idea to just shoot gallery loads in this anyway. I cast some .323 round balls Sunday. Kinda figured I could get away with not sizing cases, just deprime them with a punch, re-prime, charge, seat a lubed RB in the case mouth with thumb pressure. I'm thinking like five grains of Unique ought to make for a pleasant, quiet plinking load.

[marlinman93]

I wouldn't be afraid to go up around 7 grs. of Unique with a 170 gr. bullet either. The round ball plinkers are fun, and I used them on my Ballard in .32 Long CF before I had dies. Just used my re-decapper tool to prime them, and 2.5 grs. of Bullseye if I remember correctly? Shot muzzleloader round balls pretty well, but not nearly as accurate as a correct heeled bullet does now.

[richhodg66]

It was seven grains that I used. This Ideal 321232 is nominally 165 grains, I cast it soft and it came out morethan 180. The load shot well and showed no problem signs like flattenned primers or anything.

I'm liking the gallery load idea, might have to try that this weekend.

[marlinman93]

If you get some Lee Liquid Alox, you can lube the round ball with it, and set the ball in the mouth of the case. Let them sit overnight, and the alox will dry, and stick to the case mouth. Makes them easy to load and handle, and it lubes the bore a bit when fired to prevent leading.