Win 94 in 32 Win SPL

[Bayou52]

Well, sometimes things just go right. Not often, but sometimes.

I recently came into a 1947 vintage Win 94 in 32 Win Spl. It was a 1 owner. I got it from a very elderly friend who obtained it new- as a 14th birthday gift in 1948. He hadn't shot the rifle in about 30 years.

I made some handloads using the Hornady 165 grain FTX projectile and IMR 4064 powder. The rifle was shooting 2" or so to the left at 50 yards. Open, iron sights.

I soaked the rear sight in Kroil and with a brass rod, tried to drift the rear sight to the right. No luck - it wouldn't move. Brought the rifle to my local smith who got the job done. When I took the rifle out of the case, the smith just stood there looking at it and said "Don't ever change a thing on this rifle - they just don't make them like this anymore."

Here's a target from yesterday's range trip. To say I'm smiling on the inside would be correct. Just a sheer pleasure to see an old rifle come back to life - and with a vengeance! Two shots - one hole @ 50 yards. Great fun with this old workhorse!

https://preview.ibb.co/igYFKF/IMG_20170908_202952_kindlephoto_467921926.jpg (https://ibb.co/cHUpeF)

Bayou52

[pmer]

Thanks for sharing, sure is nice to have a great old rifle and know it's story too. And the .32 is born to shoot cast boolits with that 1-16 twist rate barrel.

[Uncle Grinch]

Sure would like to see the rifle.... I know what they look like, but just enjoy seeing old classics!

[Bayou52]

Sure would like to see the rifle.... I know what they look like, but just enjoy seeing old classics!
Here she is, Unc, a picture from the past:

https://preview.ibb.co/jvhHzF/IMG_20170909_081202.jpg (https://ibb.co/nsARta)

Bayou52

[Scharfschuetze]

Just got to love 32 Specials and that slow twist which handles cast bullets so well. You found a real treasure Bayou52. I'll bet that it gives you years of pleasure on its second lease on life.

Here's my circa 1941 Winchester Model 64 in 32 Special and the 197 grain NOE cast bullet.

[OverMax]

One of the better woods rifles ever made. Anyone can own a Marlin. Only a few own a 32 winchester.
Congratulations Bayou52

[mazo kid]

My dad gave me his '94 in 32 Win Spl a few years ago. He bought it new around '48-'49. I remember him commenting on how much it cost.....$49.00! The rifle itself is in great mechanical shape, was only ever used for deer hunting, but the stock finish is worn due to being carried in wet conditions. Guess I need to load it up with some cast!

[Bayou52]

Scharfschuetze:

You have a beautiful rifle! And great shooting, too. I love your peep sight on the receiver!


Mazo - sounds like you've got a prize, too. Have any pics you can share?

Thanks for the compliments, Guys! Greatly appreciated.

I was unaware of the 1 -16 twist in these barrels. It's almost as if they were made for cast boolits! (Maybe they were....:) ).

Bayou52

[richhodg66]

I bought a rather badly treated Marlin waffle top one a few years ago cheap. Had to replace the stock and did a full detail cleaning of it. I got a NOE (I think) that casts a 180ish WFN gas check design that shot well with 30 grains of IMR 4320 and a tuft of Dacron. Killed a small doe with it a few years ago and was real please with the performance of it all around. It's a good round for cast bullets.

[OlDeuce]

Here she is, Unc, a picture from the past:

https://preview.ibb.co/jvhHzF/IMG_20170909_081202.jpg (https://ibb.co/nsARta)

Bayou52

You found a Great Looking Carbine...........These 1894's are the only way to fly !!!! I Love mine!!!!!!! They Just feel good . Ol Deuce

[Bayou52]

^^^^^^ Thanks, OlDeuce!

Bayou52

[358 Win]

Shot my first Whitetail buck with a 1948 Model 94 in .32 Win Special back in November 1965. My hunting "Uncle" loaned me that rifle and sold it to me upon my return home from overseas duty in 1973. I still have that .32 Special plus three more. Another Win Model 94 from 1965, a Marlin 336SC from 1951, and a Marlin 336SC from 1957. I shoot cast boolits in all mine. The RCBS 08-170, 182 grain gas checked boolit and a Ranch Dog 323-170 gas checked weighing 182 grains lubed and checked. Speeds range from 1700 fps to 2300 fps with superb accuracy. Powders used are Alliant 2400 for 1700 fps and Hornady LVR for 2300 fps.

358 Win

[Devon]

If any of you 32WS owners would care to own a Ranch Dog bullet mold, feel free to join the cause.........

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?342309-Ranch-Dog-SC323-180-(32-Winchester-Special)

[Hick]

You can shoot those Hornady FTX bullets in the 32 WS-- but what that rifle really wants is cast lead!-- That's all I shoot i my 1949 vintage Winchester 1894 in 32 WS. The slower twist rate than a 30-30 really makes it an ideal cast bullet rifle.

[Shawlerbrook]

My 1952 Win 32 Special is one of my most accurate leverguns out of 16

[Bayou52]

Well, this thread has really taught me a few things about the 32 WS:

1. They are highly regarded by our forum community, and I presume, in general,

2. Cast bullets seem especially suited to the twist rate of 1 -16, and

3. The 32'ers seem to be quite a dedicated lot.

All new to me. Thanks, Guys!

Bayou52

[TXGunNut]

They make J-words in 32 caliber? I had no idea! J/K, of course but this cartridge and rifle seem to make an excellent case for cast boolits. My mould is made by Accurate, for some reason NOE didn't have one at the time.
One of the pleasures of collecting and shooting old Winchesters is that they quite often shoot very well, especially later rifles like yours that did not endure the corrosive primer era.

[guicksylver]

Yup she's a beauty...especially since she's a "flat band"...oh and by the way ..if you can loose the boot before it discolors the stock...you'll be maintaining it's value...enjoy!!!!

[Bayou52]

^^^^^Thanks, quicksylver, for the tip about removing the recoil pad before it discolors the stock. I was completely unaware of this effect, and have taken it off.

Thanks again!

Bayou52

[FromTheWoods]

Dad's rifle was a .32 WS carbine. Took my first two deer with it. To honor their Grandpa, I gave each one of my sons a .32 WS takedown rifle. Special rifles in memory of a Special Man. All of them (rifles and sons) shoot accurately.

Your carbine is a beauty. And it appears you are quite a good shot!

[Bayou52]

^^^^ Very nice story, Sir! I'm sure your sons will treasure the 32's given them by yourself, their father, as you have treasured the one given to you by yours.

Doesn't get any better than that: it's the fabric of life....

Bayou52

[OlDeuce]

Well, this thread has really taught me a few things about the 32 WS:

1. They are highly regarded by our forum community, and I presume, in general,

2. Cast bullets seem especially suited to the twist rate of 1 -16, and

3. The 32'ers seem to be quite a dedicated lot.

All new to me. Thanks, Guys!

Bayou52

You can use BP in that Ol'Girl...........Winchester had it all planned out !!!! Little dirty But ....It really lets you know who's the Boss......LoL

[Nazgul]

Have a 1959 Win 94 in 32 Special. It was hard to operate, the original grease was still in the action. After cleaning worked well.

Nicely accurate, will go in the woods this fall.

Don

[izzyjoe]

There was one in a pawnshop that I used to visit quite frequently, it was a 336 SC in 32 wspl. That rifle sat there for 10yrs that I knew of, the price was $650, and the tag on it said "Rare", they still had it when they closed up shop last year. Some guy bought what was left, and took them to an auction. I offered $500 several times, but they thought it was worth the asking price! And to be honest I'm kinda glad I didn't buy it.

[FromTheWoods]

Nicely accurate, will go in the woods this fall.

Don

Since you mention the woods, last year's buck fell in front of a .32 WS. High in the neck--as most of my bucks are shot. I trust these rifles' accuracy.

First buck I shot with a .32 WS was in 1968. Quite a few since then.

[OlDeuce]

Not sure about the modern 94 in 32WS...But I know the Pre '64s sure work well!!

Ol Deuce

[runfiverun]

as far as them being probably meant for cast,,, they were.

the 32 was much more common so the size was brought out to augment the 30-30 which was out first but used smokeless and of course copper.
the 32 was brought out for shooting lead and reloading with black powder.
B/P was available to hand loaders everywhere, smokeless wasn't, and data for it was even harder to come by.
but everyone knew how to load black powder.

[Bayou52]

^^^^^ Great to know, runfiverun. I had no idea about the development of the 32.

Do you think there's anyone still shooting BP from one of these 32 lever rifles?

Thanks -

Bayou52

[runfiverun]

I'm sure there is.
one of my shooting buddy's has an older 94 in 38-55 and it see's nothing but Black and 20-1 cast.
the slow twist was meant to help keep fouling manageable.

I'm not that much of a purist.
mine sees cast from an old no vent ideal mold, but with modern smokeless under it.

[mazo kid]

What are some of the better molds for the 32 WSpl?

[OlDeuce]

What are some of the better molds for the 32 WSpl?

Mazo..........I use a old winchester mold and shoots very well!!! and when I feel like a lot of work I loader up with 3f...........:awesome::2_high5::guntootsmiley::gun tootsmiley::guntootsmiley:

Ol Deuce

[OlDeuce]

I'm sure there is.
one of my shooting buddy's has an older 94 in 38-55 and it see's nothing but Black and 20-1 cast.
the slow twist was meant to help keep fouling manageable.

I'm not that much of a purist.
mine sees cast from an old no vent ideal mold, but with modern smokeless under it.

My very early 1894 is a real Black Shooter Has the external rail screws !!