Really wanting a 32 S&W Long or 38 Spl

[GARD72977]

I have not been in to shooting for a while. I'm just wanting something to spark some interest . This would be an offhand range toy only!

I have a decent Remington Hepburn in 32-40 with a large diameter bore. Just not interested in breech seating for it.

I'm wanting to have a reamer made with a throat for cast bullets. 32 S&w long is on the top of the list.

I'm thinking a Marbles rear target apature barrel sight with a 30" barrel. 1in 17 Shilen ratchet twist barrel. Keep them light and subsonic so I don't need hearing protection.

Just throwing this idea out there to get roasted.....

If not a small straight wall pistol cartridge it would be a 22lr

[GARD72977]

Forgot to add .308 barrel for 32 or .355 barrel for 38.

[Mk42gunner]

Even a .22 Short will cause hearing damage. Other than that, I think a light rifle in .32 S&W Long would be awful hard to beat in the fun category.

Robert

[GARD72977]

I have found my long barrel 22LR guns are very quiet for the shooter. I would think a subsonic out of a 30" barrel would not require hearing protection. Not a deal breaker either way

[koger]

I like the .38 special idea. I have a Handi rifle i .357 mag, that I shoot light 158 gr semi wadcutters and round nose slugs out of, it has a 3x9 scope as it came with no sights. It Has the heavy barrel, but is short overall, and holds very well offhand. I regularly shoot out to 150 yds with a hold over and hit pop cans very well. It recoils like a .22 lr with these loads, but can be noisy. I have a ammo can full of .38s I loaded a couple winters ago on my Dillon 550B, I will grab a handful and put them in a shirt pocket and walk out to my range and plink, or drice over in my back pasture, and shoot cow flops and watch the crap fly.

[GARD72977]

I like the 32 a little better because it will have a case full of powder. Most fast pistol powders should work. Cheap and available! Slower powder and mag pistol primers might be a possibility. I want to keep the bullet light 77- 100gr-ish

This is to load progressive and have lots of ammo. I have always wanted to do this.

A 38S&W is another option. Light than normal bullet traveling 1000ish.

Since this is custom I want a match chamber. Loading a smaller than normal powder coated bullet should make things much easier.

[dverna]

Why do you want to plink with powder burners that need primers, cast bullets and need to be reloaded?

You will get many hours of cheap trigger time with a good PCP gun and not waste hours casting, sizing, lubing, cleaning brass and reloading. I am shooting sub 1” groups at 50 yards. And no hearing protection needed. BTW, my cost for pellets and air is $15/1000.

[GARD72977]

315988

Got that one covered Don. Styer with. Nightforce ATACR.

I have always wanted a custom chamber/throat lead bullet gun. The idea of loading a 30cal lead bullet in a 32 case seems great. Not having to expand the case mouth for an oversized bullet is very appealing to me.

[dverna]

315988

Got that one covered Don. Styer with. Nightforce ATACR.

I have always wanted a custom chamber/throat lead bullet gun. The idea of loading a 30cal lead bullet in a 32 case seems great. Not having to expand the case mouth for an oversized bullet is very appealing to me.

Nice rig!!!! Makes my Daystate look like a ***...LOL

[marlinman93]

I have a #1 Rolling Block Sporter that was relined with a .357" barrel liner, and chambered in .38 Special. Heck of a good shooter, and I love it. I've shot it out to 500 yds. and it's very accurate.
I also have a Ballard #2 in it's original .38 Long barrel that has a gorgeous bore, and shoots .38 Long heeled 145 gr. bullets very well. They're larger for the bigger groove in the #2's .38 Long chambered barrel, but it's also a hoot to shoot.
I personally love these rifles in their shorter pistol length cartridges as they're extremely mild with almost no recoil, and very quiet too. Easy on the ears, and the shoulder, and very addictive.

[beltfed]

Besides .22 rifles, my light, fun gun is my Martini Cadet that had been rebored back in the '50s by Klein's in Chicago to 357 Mag
Fun to shoot everything from light 38 wadcutter loads in 357 cases up to the lyman 358315, 200gr RN over a healthy charge of 4227
beltfed/arnie

[GARD72977]

316025

Any thoughts on this mold. Bullet would be powder coated and custom reamer. I like the bore rider and it leaves room for powder. I'm sure it could be cut to .309

[Green Frog]

Back in the Spring I got the makings of one of my dream projects, a Ruger #3 Carbine to be rebarreled in 327 Fed Mag. Why this chambering, you may ask. I want to be able to use it for a variety of shooting and being able to shoot pipsqueak 32 S&W Long rounds at 50 feet and hot 327s at 100 or even 200 yards, and by changing cartridges in the same rifle, I can do just that.

Froggie

[square butte]

316025

Any thoughts on this mold. Bullet would be powder coated and custom reamer. I like the bore rider and it leaves room for powder. I'm sure it could be cut to .309

Looks like an Ed Harris design

[Outpost75]

Ed does not do powder coat. His design his 31-094H. Great choice for .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Mag, .32-20.and for small game loads in any .30 caliber deer rifle with 6 grains of Bullseye.

316302

[Larry Gibson]

I've a Ruger #3 in 22 Hornet of which I shot the barrel out numerous years back. Been cogitating on a rebore/rechamber to 32 H&R or 357 magnum. Just can't seem to make up my mind.....

[Funky]

Sounds like a great rifle, a .32(or .327, or a .32H&R) in a Ruger #3. Kinda wondered why Ruger didn't chamber them in a smaller .32. (Probably wouldn't sell enough, except to collectors, never to be seen again. Good Luck Chris

[John Taylor]

I get quite a few customers wanting a 32 S&W. Some get new barrels and some get liners. My own is a Cadet with an octagon barrel. I did a 32-20/30 carbine for Mr. Harris a few years back using a 308 barrel. Seems the lead .312 bullets do well in a 308 bore. New barrels usually require a barrel blank from Douglas to get the .312 groove with 1 in 16 twist. T.J.'s has liners with the same twist and bore size.

[GARD72977]

Im planning to use a .310 bullet. This should make loading lead in the 32S&W much better.

To tell the truth I have been back and forth between the 38spl and 32sw.

The 32 won out.
I need to get the mold ordered....

[Green Frog]

I've a Ruger #3 in 22 Hornet of which I shot the barrel out numerous years back. Been cogitating on a rebore/rechamber to 32 H&R or 357 magnum. Just can't seem to make up my mind.....

Oddly enough Larry, I found a shot out 22 Hornet barrel to use as a starting point for my 327 FM build. It sort of fell in my lap when I announced here that I had found a donor Ruger #3 carbine in 223. I still think this has the potential to become a great woods loafing rifle. Of course there are lots of great cast and jacketed bullets available for 38/357, but when I survey the moulds I have on hand in 311-314 and the case capacities available for 32 S&W, 32 S&W L, 32 H&R and 327 FM (all of which can be fired from this same chamber) I only regret I’m not about 30 years younger to get the fullest enjoyment out of it! I see near-limitless potential here. :)

Froggie

[gnoahhh]

I have an orphan Ballard #2 centerfire action that's been whispering ".32 S&W Long" in my ear for a while...

Would make a fun companion piece to either my .32 S&W Hand Ejector or 60's vintage Colt Police Positive Special .32.

[Green Frog]

Sounds like a great idea to me. It should be a pretty straightforward build. If you haven’t already chosen a barrel, I’d suggest Green Mountain. They have a line of barrels profiled for “small lever action rifles” that come in a tapered octagon configuration with a full diameter cylindrical section at the breech, perfect for threading and leaving the trademark Ballard “tulip” when fitted. They make one advertised as 32-20 that should be just your huckleberry for that 32 S&W L project.
Froggie

[StrawHat]

I have a Ballard #2(?) that came with the reversible firing pin. It was chambered for the 32 Long. I was not able to find ammunition so I shipped its to V M Starr and had it lined and chambered for the 22 WCF. My reasoning was that light Hornet loads should work. They did but I wish I would have had him ream the chamber for the 32 S&W Long.

Anyone have a spare #2 barrel?

Kevin

[Green Frog]

Kevin,
The Ballard barrels of the day for 32 rf/cf were a little hinky for modern ammo… wrong bore diameter and twist. If I were going to build a 32 S&W L chambered Ballard, I would take a rotted out original Ballard barrel and have it suitably relined or just replace the barrel altogether. I don’t think you would ever get the kind of accuracy you want by simply rechambering. Of course, YMMV.
Your friend the Frog

[marlinman93]

I have a Ballard #2(?) that came with the reversible firing pin. It was chambered for the 32 Long. I was not able to find ammunition so I shipped its to V M Starr and had it lined and chambered for the 22 WCF. My reasoning was that light Hornet loads should work. They did but I wish I would have had him ream the chamber for the 32 S&W Long.

Anyone have a spare #2 barrel?

Kevin

I do, but it's not a .32 Long, it's a .38 Lomg and attached to a #2 I'm selling. ;)

[Deadeye Bly]

I've got both a Ballard and a Maynard with barrels with TJ's liners chambered in 32 S&W long. They are fun to shoot and very accurate and easy on the powder supply with 3 grains of Unique and a 100 gr bullet. Don't hesitate to get a #2 Ballard lined if it is not in shooting condition at present. You'll be pleased with the results.

[StrawHat]

Thank you all. I will have another barrel lined or just buy a 32 S&W long barrel and have it installed.

Kevin

[Green Frog]

Thank you all. I will have another barrel lined or just buy a 32 S&W long barrel and have it installed.

Kevin

Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful friendship, Kevin. I can’t imagine not loving that little lightweight rifle in 32 S&W L for lazy woodswalking and casual plinking. Do you plan on a tang sight to finish it off? That’s what I would use.
Froggie

[StrawHat]

Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful friendship, Kevin. I can’t imagine not loving that little lightweight rifle in 32 S&W L for lazy woodswalking and casual plinking. Do you plan on a tang sight to finish it off? That’s what I would use.
Froggie

A tang sight in my woods would be less useful than a good set of irons. Plus, since it will be a switch barrel rifle, each barrel will have its own sights.

Of course I could line the barrel that is on it now, the one that was sleeved to 22 WCF. That barrel is still marked 32 Long. It would be fitting but I would loose the 22 WCF.

Realistically, at my age, this project is merely a wish and will not come to completion. The 22 WCF does everything I need. And I have revolvers for anything that it can not cover.

Kevin

[Daekar]

Honest, possibly silly question. Why 38spl instead of 357mag? Is the action of the host gun not up to the pressure? I load basically all my 357s at 38spl pressures but I am glad the brass is tough enough to take full power if I want it.

[StrawHat]

Honest, possibly silly question. Why 38spl instead of 357mag? Is the action of the host gun not up to the pressure? I load basically all my 357s at 38spl pressures but I am glad the brass is tough enough to take full power if I want it.

I know you were not asking me but for me, I prefer the 38 S&W Special cartridge. I recently found two 5 gallon buckets full of empty Special cases left over from my competition days. I moved those over with the two I already had so only one (maybe two) are still missing. And while I am not necessarily a big fan of my rifles and handguns sharing the same cartridge, this could be an exception.

Kevin

[trapper9260]

In the past I had a Handi Rifle set up to shoot 327 mag and I can shoot all the 32's out of it , I have it sighted in at 3/4" groups at 50yards with a scope. Nice gun to use and bring it on my trap line . My friend that made it for me that I should have no problem with 150 yard shot. It is a 21" barrel on it . What ever I shoot in that is the same ammo I shoot in my Ruger BH 327 .

[Green Frog]

In the past I had a Handi Rifle set up to shoot 327 mag and I can shoot all the 32's out of it , I have it sighted in at 3/4" groups at 50yards with a scope. Nice gun to use and bring it on my trap line . My friend that made it for me that I should have no problem with 150 yard shot. It is a 21" barrel on it . What ever I shoot in that is the same ammo I shoot in my Ruger BH 327 .

Once again, it’s bad this forum lacks a “LIKE” button! I would hit it for this post for sure. My Ruger #3 project to go with my 327 BH fills the same niche. We’ve drifted pretty far from the original “32 S&W L” in a Ballard #2 topic though.
To bring this back on topic, how about a nice old S&W Break-Top in 32 Long to carry on your side? They haven’t gotten the love shown to the later solid frame guns but would do well with loadings appropriate for the Ballard.
Froggie

[GARD72977]

Honest, possibly silly question. Why 38spl instead of 357mag? Is the action of the host gun not up to the pressure? I load basically all my 357s at 38spl pressures but I am glad the brass is tough enough to take full power if I want it.
That's a great question. This project will be a custom reamer with a throat that matches the chosen mold. I have no need for a dual-purpose gun. I want a dedicated rifle.

The rifle is a Remington-Hepburn #3. Thy came chambered in the larger calibers. No pressure concerns

[Green Frog]

Again stretching the boundaries of the topic, but I’m wondering about a TJ’s liner for my 327 project. When I had Project 616 (a S&W K frame in 327FM) I was told, “no way, no how” for lining a revolver barrel but I believe that had to do with the thinness of the forcing cone. The Ruger barrel should have plenty of hoop strength inside the receiver as it is there. I know I’m in relatively uncharted territory, but for those of you who have lined barrels, what do you think? I’m especially sending out a bat signal here to John Taylor and Deadeye Bly. TIA guys! :Bright idea:

Froggie

PS I really hadn’t thought much about this until John mentioned the specs for the TJ’s liner… that .312 X 16 twist sounds just about perfect! 8-)

[GARD72977]

Personally I think that firing from a cylinder in to a liner would tend to push it forward. In a rifle the case will expand against the chamber. This should help keep the liner from moving forward.

Just a thought....

[Bigslug]

If my .32-20-ish converted Martini Cadet wasn't a light's-out shooter, and if I thought I had a prayer of ever shooting out that light's-out shooter barrel with cast bullets, I would turn it into a .357 Magnum or .38 Special tomorrow. Never underestimate the logistical power of ubiquitous free brass.

[StrawHat]

Again stretching the boundaries of the topic, but I’m wondering about a TJ’s liner for my 327 project. When I had Project 616 (a S&W K frame in 327FM) I was told, “no way, no how” for lining a revolver barrel but I believe that had to do with the thinness of the forcing cone. The Ruger barrel should have plenty of hoop strength inside the receiver as it is there. I know I’m in relatively uncharted territory, but for those of you who have lined barrels, what do you think? I’m especially sending out a bat signal here to John Taylor and Deadeye Bly. TIA guys! :Bright idea:

Froggie

PS I really hadn’t thought much about this until John mentioned the specs for the TJ’s liner… that .312 X 16 twist sounds just about perfect! 8-)


There are a couple of ways to install a liner. A simple hole bored through and the liner epoxied or tinned in place is normal and usually acceptable. Another way would be to shrink fit the liner into the hole. Properly done, it won’t ever move. And, you could turn your liner so it looked like a Military Mauser barrel and fit it that way.

But, I think I know who told you “no way”. He is not a believer in liners. He can make his own barrels, why should he line something?

Kevin

[John Taylor]

Again stretching the boundaries of the topic, but I’m wondering about a TJ’s liner for my 327 project. When I had Project 616 (a S&W K frame in 327FM) I was told, “no way, no how” for lining a revolver barrel but I believe that had to do with the thinness of the forcing cone. The Ruger barrel should have plenty of hoop strength inside the receiver as it is there. I know I’m in relatively uncharted territory, but for those of you who have lined barrels, what do you think? I’m especially sending out a bat signal here to John Taylor and Deadeye Bly. TIA guys! :Bright idea:

Froggie

PS I really hadn’t thought much about this until John mentioned the specs for the TJ’s liner… that .312 X 16 twist sounds just about perfect! 8-)

The root diameter of the threads on the barrel would need to be about 5/8". This would give about 1/16" wall thickness, any less and you might have the barrel going down range. If your worried about the liner moving it could be turned down a small amount, leaving a shoulder and boring the barrel to match. I have never had a liner come out from shooting.

[colt45sa]

I just had my 1885 Lo-Wall Winchester converted to .38 Special. I felt that there will always be brass and bullets available. My .32-20 and .38-55 is drying up fast. What is available is costing $2.50 a shot which takes it out of the "fun" zone~!

[colt45sa]

Sounds good to me. I like my S&W Hand Ejector in S&W .32, nice size, nice weight, and ammo is cost effective

[colt45sa]

Amen brother~! 1885 Winchester is now a .38 Special~!

[Lance Boyle]

I've a Ruger #3 in 22 Hornet of which I shot the barrel out numerous years back. Been cogitating on a rebore/rechamber to 32 H&R or 357 magnum. Just can't seem to make up my mind.....


Duh! .32 H&R and when you shoot it out THEN .357. :-)

[Shawlerbrook]

I am having a 357 mag barrel made for my NEF. Seems to be the perfect all around the farm carry and 38 Special and 357 mag. brass is easy to find.

[Lance Boyle]

A model 92 in .32 S&W long would be fun as heck. I’d prefer it or H&R to a .32-20.

[Lance Boyle]

I would love to find a cool host for a single shot .32 S&W Long.

A low wall would be my dream base but that’ll never happen in my project price range.

[GARD72977]

I just had my 1885 Lo-Wall Winchester converted to .38 Special. I felt that there will always be brass and bullets available. My .32-20 and .38-55 is drying up fast. What is available is costing $2.50 a shot which takes it out of the "fun" zone~!

Post some pics.