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December 10, 2008
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Greetings Folks:
I saw that Midway has a sale on .32-40 dies, and am entertaining the thought of reloading .32-40 & resurrecting some vintage lever guns with pretty nice bores.
My question: Does anyone have vintage ammo catalogs from say 1900 – 1910 which list the period factory loads concerning projectiles? I’m assuming they were jacketed/semi-jacketed in the realm of 165 grains? Also, any idea what the “standard” projectile was in diameter?
I’ve read seemingly unlimited talk on loading these old rifles with lead bullets & the associated “slugging” barrels to find the correct diameter, using cast bullet dies sets, appropriate lube, gas checks, etc. I’m a “simpleton” with more than enough gunsmithing, reloading & shooting tools/accessories & really don’t want to get into an entirely new genre of messing with cast bullets (especially the cleaning of leaded barrels). If I wanted to indulge in the above I would just shoot my muzzleloader.
If practical, I’d like to keep it simple & find a currently-produced jacketed bullet to fire @ 100 yds. every now & again. I understand there is an issue with cannelure placement on most current .32 projectiles…but, imagine..I even have a tool to deal with that issue! 
Happy Thanksgiving!
D. T.
April 23, 2012
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1 have several 32-40’s (currently 4, 94s, a 1885 hiwall and yes a marlin 1893 ) and really like the cal . I have found that the bores are quite consistent dimentionally, ( unlike 38-55 )and shoot well with 19-20 gr 4198 and a jacketed .321 170gr intended for 32 spcl,(except cannelure)(i have shot thousands of these because of cheap availability now getting harder to find) pleasantly exceed expectations in all including a 94RBR that doesnt like cast and also a fussy 94 carbine.These2 only have fair -good bores. No new wear in bores from the jacketed usage The others have VG bores and will also shoot cast gas checks ,321 being best also 322 good
Fighting with 32-20 as my favorite cal to shoot on targets. Both impressive and satisfying @300M and no recoil punishment. I Never had difficulty requiring much load development in either of these cals
JW Nickelplated brass is tougher to load , I prefer new Win brass seemingly abundant in Canada
Phil
November 7, 2015
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Your results may vary but I’ve spent a lot less time cleaning rifle bores since I started casting my own bullets. A good-fitting cast bullet of the correct alloy in a good bore seldom leaves any lead; just a bit of lube and powder residue. You’re right about one thing, it’s quite a pursuit in itself and I’ve enjoyed many hours making my own bullets. With dozens of moulds, four furnaces and a fair-sized pile of sizing equipment I can make a bullet ideally suited for all of the obsolete cartridges I enjoy.
It’s not for everybody but for some rifles and cartridges it’s the best way to keep them shooting.
December 10, 2008
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25-20 said
…I have found that the bores are quite consistent dimentionally, ( unlike 38-55 )and shoot well with 19-20 gr 4198 and a jacketed .321 170gr intended for 32 spcl,(except cannelure)…Fighting with 32-20 as my favorite cal to shoot on targets.
Phil
TXGunNut said
…You’re right about one thing, it’s quite a pursuit in itself and I’ve enjoyed many hours making my own bullets. With dozens of moulds, four furnaces and a fair-sized pile of sizing equipment I can make a bullet ideally suited for all of the obsolete cartridges I enjoy.
Well, I ordered the “regular” .32-40 dies as opposed to the “Cowboy” 3-die set purportedly for loading cast bullets. I’ve also done some more “research,” & even located some Hornady .321″ 165 FTX projectiles nestled away in my loading bench. Eventually I’ll load some up for single loading test-firing, will fire for effect, chronograph, & if everything goes well will apply new cannelures where needed for future “batch” loading.
I’m all set up for .25-20 & .32-20 as well…just need more time & ambition!
TXGunNut: I have a sneaky suspicion that at some point it’s inevitable that I’ll take the plunge into the casting “pursuit” as I indeed have a need to feed (say that 3 times fast) some obsolete cartridges I certainly do enjoy.
Thanks men for your input/expertise.
D. T.
January 13, 2010
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I picked up a high condition 32-40 first year of production and have yet to get a big game animal with it. I have shot some gophers with it and I did find a bunch of original factory ammo that I will use for hunting. For varmints I did cast up a bunch of bullets and loaded them with 16 grains of AA 5744 and it shot fairly well.
Finding bullets for the 32-40 will be harder than finding brass. Most 32 caliber bullets are for the 32 Winchester Special and aren’t suitable for the 32-40 as the cannelure groove is not far enough forward to work with the 32-40. It is important to get that bullet crimped in the cannelure groove to keep it from pushing the bullet back into the case in a tubular magazine.
64XX made in 1894…
