32-40 from?

[LIMPINGJ]

I just got a Win 85 in 32-40 and need brass. Most places where I get the best price are out of stock. I have plenty of 30-30 and 38-55 could I form 32-40 from one of these without much effort? Anyone who has tried this please chime in.

[oneokie]

Either will work. Both will be short in length.

[EDG]

I just got a Win 85 in 32-40 and need brass. Most places where I get the best price are out of stock. I have plenty of 30-30 and 38-55 could I form 32-40 from one of these without much effort? Anyone who has tried this please chime in.

I have brass and dies but I need a rifle....

[NickSS]

I have made 32-40 brass from 30-30 cases. All you do is run the case into a full length resizing die for 32-40 then run a neck expander plug into the case and you are good to go. The brass is shorter than standard but if you load the bullet out to touch the rifling it does not seam to make much difference in my Ballard I tried them in. I did this because I could not find any 32-40 brass available and have several thousand 30-30 cases available/.

[redneckdan]

I think the starline long version of the .38-55 will form to correct length .32-40 cases.

[John Taylor]

http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/Default.aspx#32-40%20brass____-_1-2-4_8-16-32

[Marine Sgt 2111]

I got my .32-40 and .38-55 brass from Graf and Sons, however beware of their hidden web site charge of $5.00 if you purchase anything from their web sight. I will buy nothing from them because they give you no warning of this charge.:Fire:

[LIMPINGJ]

I am going to go with the long Starline. I can get it for less than any 32-40 I have found. Will I have to worry about brass thickness in the neck after I size the 38-55 down to 32-40? Also can I just do this in my FL sizing die?

[LIMPINGJ]

BTT, and was just wondering if anyone has formed 32-40 from 38-55 and did you have to thin the necks after forming.

[bearmn56]

LimpingJ,
Forming your 32-40 cases from 38-55 should pose no problems. The necks should be OK without reaming or "thinning". Using 38-55 brass for forming will give you the correct finished cartridge length of 2.130". Using 32 Special, 30-30 or 375 Win will give a finished brass length approximately 1/10" shorter than the correct length. This is a cool cartridge and I have been looking at a beautiful custom rolling block in this caliber for some time....However:???: with a $2500.00 price tag it is a little beyond my budget.
Above all..............HAVE FUN!!!
Bearmn56
Montana Territory

[Jon K]

Just beware that when you form the 32-40 brass from 38-55, it will elongate.........use the 2.130 Starline, and you'll have a lot of trimming to do. I have formed it from Winchester 2.080 brass and no trimming needed.

Jon

[LIMPINGJ]

Thanks bear and Jon, I will use the WW brass I have.

[punkinlobber]

I buy my winchester western 32-40 brass from Midway USA. I also got a set of Lee dies from them. I had Lee build me a factory crimp die for the 32-40 and they charged me $25. I have only shot 170 gr. oregon trail laser cast and they perform well. I haven't started casting my own yet. Fun round.

[Bad Ass Wallace]

I just purchased 100 Starline 38/40 long brass and notice on the inside they are copies of the old "balloon head" cases and hold 4gns more BP than Winchester.

Probably not important when forming down to 32/40 unless you want to load BP.

[Ron B.]

You'll love your 32-40! I own one in an 1875 Sharps; extremely accurate. I have made up some brass, using 30-30 casings. Simply ran them through my 32-40 sizing die after lubing them first. My reloads are mild compared to most. I don't shoot much pass 100 yards. And, being I only shoot these in a single shot, I don't have the feeding problems to contend with.
Last year, I was fortunate to jump on a few Winchesters a lesser known company had. Midway, for whatever reason also had Winchester 38-55s on sale; I bought a bunch.

An idea. Have you checked with any of the Sharps manufacturers? I have had luck buying 45-120s from several of them. Also Buffalo Arms Co. You may get lucky; if you ask.

GRB

[bullshot]

I bought 100 rnds 32-40 brass from these guys last week . http://www.gunstop.com/default.asp

[marlinman93]

If you're going to reform .32-40 from a caliber that's a bit short, I'd use .32 Win Spl. I form mine from .32 Win Spl and it works much better. No need to crunch the .38-55 brass way down, and the neck is already right where you need it, so when sizing you simply move the shoulder.