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September 22, 2011
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RickC said
From the Buffalo Bore website:“The 32’s bigger bullet diameter, this is a definite advantage in lethality on big game. I’ve killed enough big game to know that if all else is equal, bullet diameter seriously affects how lethal the cartridge is on big game and this is where the 32 WS shines over the 30-30.”
This makes complete sense. So, why didn’t the .30 WCF round shine in the spotlight for about 7 years, 1895 to 1902, before being overshadowed by the .32 Special? In which case the .32 Special would be ubiquitous and we would be making a reference to a relatively obscure round, the .30 WCF???
September 22, 2011
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I’ve also found the .32 Special to be a superior round to the .30 WCF. YMMV.
March 23, 2010
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Thanks for the well wishes,fellows.At present .321 dia. bullets are hard to come by.However I have a small stock pile,that should last me awhile.
March 14, 2022
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28 gauge said
Thanks for the well wishes,fellows.At present .321 dia. bullets are hard to come by.However I have a small stock pile,that should last me awhile.
Yes they are double the price of 30-30 or more. Glad you have some 28 gauge. I missed the boat on them! 2 boxes isn’t enough.
Rick C
March 20, 2009
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RickC said
From the Buffalo Bore website:
“The 32’s bigger bullet diameter, this is a definite advantage in lethality on big game. I’ve killed enough big game to know that if all else is equal, bullet diameter seriously affects how lethal the cartridge is on big game and this is where the 32 WS shines over the 30-30.”
The 32 WS bullet diameter is .321 inches (8.2 mm) compared to the 30-30 diameter of .308 inches (7.8 mm). That is a difference of less than 2 one hundredths of an inch or .4 mm. So on the ruler below in the photo that would equate u units if you would put ten little lines between each of the tenth of an inch marks on the ruler. Or about 1/4 of the thickness of that penny standing on its edge. You can call me skeptical about the Buffalo Bore lethality difference based on the diameter of the bullet.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
March 14, 2022
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Michael in theory I would have to agree with you. I always understood at these fps numbers(2300) and faster, it only takes a fraction bigger bullet to cause more leathality, as Buffalo Bore put it. ??
Rick C
March 20, 2009
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RickC said
Michael in theory I would have to agree with you. I always understood at these fps numbers(2300) and faster, it only takes a fraction bigger bullet to cause more leathality, as Buffalo Bore put it. ??
Rick,
Here is the data from Winchester Ballistics calculator. Even it does not support the supposition! The 30-30 round carries more energy after 100 yards. Keep me in the skeptical column. Short of 20 yard shots you are better off with the 30-30.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
March 14, 2022
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Can’t argue the numbers Michael. I’m still a fan ?
Rick C
March 31, 2009
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When considering the difference of these bullets you have to look at the surface area too. Surface area increases the wound channel. Even so the difference is very small. About 4%. Since I am an antique guy I’d take the 38-55. 
March 23, 2010
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Ah,forget those baby rifles and get a .50-110 or at least a .405.
September 22, 2011
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twobit said
RickC said
Michael in theory I would have to agree with you. I always understood at these fps numbers(2300) and faster, it only takes a fraction bigger bullet to cause more leathality, as Buffalo Bore put it. ??
Rick,
Here is the data from Winchester Ballistics calculator. Even it does not support the supposition! The 30-30 round carries more energy after 100 yards. Keep me in the skeptical column. Short of 20 yard shots you are better off with the 30-30.
Michael
Okay I concede. I’m a bit biased as the first deer I ever shot was with an 1894 carbine in .32 Special
November 19, 2006
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Remember, the largest proponent that the .32 Special was a more powerful round than the .30WCF was Winchester. Their early promotional material highlighted how the .32 Spl. was between the .30WCF and the .30-40 as far as power. This is something I always remember.
April 15, 2005
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Two of my favorite cartridges… any guesses as to what they are ??
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 15, 2005
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steve004 said
Remember, the largest proponent that the .32 Special was a more powerful round than the .30WCF was Winchester. Their early promotional material highlighted how the .32 Spl. was between the .30WCF and the .30-40 as far as power. This is something I always remember.
WRACo’s advertising department was apparently not above being inclined to sugar coat their new products in order to increase sales.
I am in 100% agreement with Michael in regards to the comparison of the 30 WCF vs. 32 WS. I will further add that the ballistics of the 30 WCF have always been superior to the 32 WS. The lower BC and rifling twist rate of the 32 WS make it a poor choice over the superior 30 WCF cartridge at all distances beyond 25-yards or so.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 23, 2010
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Bert H. said
Two of my favorite cartridges… any guesses as to what they are ??
.30-06 and .405?
February 17, 2022
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Anyone want to guess my favorite cartridge?
November 7, 2015
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RickC said
Can’t argue the numbers Michael. I’m still a fan ?
The numbers are what they are, very little difference in factory loads. I have only killed a handful of critters with the two cartridges combined so can’t form an opinion based on field performance. I CAN assure you that confidence in a cartridge or rifle IS a huge factor and 32WS fans are a loyal bunch. And no, I don’t have a favorite cartridge. Probably couldn’t pare it down to less than a dozen. One reason I prefer the 32WS over the 30WCF is I believe it’s quite possible to buy a nicer condition rifle for the same money if you’re willing to “settle” for the 32WS. Wiser collectors have convinced me to pursue quality and my discretionary funds are often limited so the 32WS will always be attractive to me.
Mike
April 15, 2005
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28 gauge said
Bert H. said
Two of my favorite cartridges… any guesses as to what they are ??
.30-06 and .405?
You win the prize today 
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 23, 2010
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Okay.Thanks for the prize.I guess my favourite cartridge is what ever cartridge I happen to be into, at any given point in time.However,the .405 is always one that is near the top,if not on it.
Have shot the .32 Winchester Special and .30WCF a fair bit,but mostly at paper.However, I have only ever bagged game with the .30WCF.
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