Winnie 32 Special

[Phil]

Being more than somewhat a pack rat, back in the 70's some time SARCO or someone had a big sale on new, primed, DWM 32 Win Special brass. Of course I bought a couple hundred cases even though I didn't have a 32 Special nor the thought of owning one.

Fast forward thirty years. Today I found a 1941 issue Win M94 in 32 Special with not only the original rear sight but a Marbles tang sight. Of course I bit and it should be here by weeks end or early next week.

I have a Lyman 319247 mold and an Ideal mold marked 32-40M. This one is a neat little job with a bevel base. The mold and handle is one unit. I've made boolits from both molds and one casts a .319 bullet, the other a .321 or thereabouts, as near as I can remember but the small stock of boolits made from them are in storage right now. Both are plain base. I also have an RCBS 32 caliber 170 grain mold for gas check bullets. Never made a bullet with this one.

My question is this; what would be some good starting loads for this cartridge with these boolits? I've read earlier posts saying that the 32 Specials shoot better than the 30 WCF's due to the throat, etc. and some loading data but I'd like to know current thinking on this. The powders I have most of are 4759, 4198, RL7, 4895, and N135. I'd really like to stay away from the Red Dot and other really fast burning powders with this rifle.

Will post pix of the rifle when it arrives.

Cheers,

Phil

[floodgate]

Phil:

That old Ideal ".32-40 M" mould is for a MARLIN, not a Winchester. Send it to me and I'll dispose of it properly for you!

(Chuckle! Nice catch, actually. Marlin worried about tubular magazine KABOOMS, and specified flat points for their bullets. Does it have a set-screw to lock the sprue-plate pivot screw, and an alignment peg and matching hole in the block faces?? If not, it dates to before 1901, and probably before 1897, after which it would have been stamped "31944".)

Floodgate

[6pt-sika]

My powders of choice for cast bullets in the 32 Special are ;

1. XMP5744

2. SR4756

3.SR7625

[sundog]

Go to Castpics, Research and Data, Cast Members Load Data. There is a load for 844(PD).

Of the powders you list I would try 4198 and 4895. I do not care for RL7 due to the ammonia aroma, but it does work. 4759 works in just about anything, but I've never found it to be 'best' in anything.

I think your boolits are too small diameter, but you'll know better when you try. I run my 32-170-FN through a .325 to seat the check and loob. I would think minimum is .323 for a winnie.

btw, nice catch.

[KCSO]

Both 4198 and Rx 7 will make up into good hunitng loads. IMR 4895 will also do a good job in the 2000 fps range, but for starting , plinking loads I would look more to Red Dot or Unique. My all round favorite is 10 grains of Unique and a 170 fp bullet. I also size my bullets to 323 for the 32 Special and have had good luck in that area. I would think a 319 bullet would be too small unless you really have a tight bore.

[ra_balke]

I have heard 31.5 gr 3031 spoken of on this list. though in truth, I have yet to fire my first cast bullet thru my Winchester 32 Special.

They say it is a hunting load, at 2100 fps, using the RCBS bullet from WW metal.

[MTWeatherman]

I have heard 31.5 gr 3031 spoken of on this list. though in truth, I have yet to fire my first cast bullet thru my Winchester 32 Special.

They say it is a hunting load, at 2100 fps, using the RCBS bullet from WW metal.

I well may be the source of that 3031 load although my alloy is actually 1 part lino to 3 parts ww.

31.5 3031 with that RCBS bullet (which actually drops at 180 gr. with that alloy from my mould) clocks at 2085 fps from my '94 Winnie carbine.

That load will shoot under 2 inches at 100 yds (or did with younger eyes). ..and does it with a .321 bullet. Makes a great hunting load...and will testify it works well on deer. My .32 handled 31 and 32 grs of 3031 equally well...I just split the difference in settling on the load. No signs of excess pressure at 32 grs...max load I worked up to before backing down 1/2 grain.

I've used that 3031 load for years. Have tried 4198 in the past...my recollection was that it performed well enough up to about 2000 fps but 3031 was the obvious winner for full performance loads.(no surprise there since 3031 is the slower burner).

Obviously that load is too hot for your PB bullets. Though you've said you don't want to try fast powders...feel obligated to throw out a Red Dot load regardless. I've used 8 grs of Red Dot with the Lyman 323470 minus gas check...water quenched and sized .323 in the .32. Makes a great plinker load and will shoot at about 2 inches at 50 yards (IMO surprisingly good for a GC bullet missing the hardware) ...a well designed PB should improve on that. You might give it a try if you're interested in an inexpensive plinking load and not too concerned about serious accuracy...the slower powders you've listed would likely be the better choice there.

[corvette8n]

I also bought a 1951 W94 is .32ws last year. So far I have only shot some plinking rounds using 8-10gr of Unique under a 180gr fngc I got from Daniel at Bull Shop. It's like shooting a .22, lots of fun. When I get some time(where are those 36hours days with 24hrs of sunlight) I want to work up some hunting loads.

[sundog]

There's not a whole lot of load data floating around for the .32 Win Spl, as many of us have discovered. BUT, there IS plenty of 30-30 data. It's the same case - .32 WS is a necked up 30-30, but more bore, so less pressure. Use the 30-30 data and carefully work up while observing group size. It will shrink, then expand. Go back to the small group load and shoot it several different days to confirm. A chrony sure helps. There is a load on castpics.

.32 Win Spl ROCKS!

[felix]

Yep, proves without doubt that twist and throating is paramount when selecting a factory specked round for cast. ... felix