32. spl. to 32/40 ????

[Slamfire]

 Since you can make 32/40 cases from 32. spl. brass,,,would it be possible to rechamber the .32 to the tapered 32/40??? Would the carrier still be long enough ,even if you had to rebarrel w/ a 32/40 barrel? " Feed back excepted."




  Hootmix.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

The .32 Special is kind of an improved .32-40.  Its pretty hard to Un-improve it! (.38-55 wcf IS a frequent caliber change.)

If you really want to have a .32-40, you could rebarrel any Marlin or Winchester from .30-30 (The most common) or other traditional cartridge of the same length. The oal, feeding and tubular magazine would accept .32-40 as long as the rim diameter was the same.

You really have to weigh how badly you want it. $$$$$?

The .32 Special is a good caliber on its own.

[Slamfire]

 Sir Charles, I agree with you totally,,but 30/30's & 32 spl's. are some what lower in price,,and a new 32/40 barrel at about 360.00 plus install ,( 24-26"in. ) smokless , just as a project build ,new barrel would last longer than me.And one could shoot BP ,smokless w/ no worries. I'v been doing my home work same spec's. for both,w/ the 32/40 OL being @2.59 & 32 spl. @2.565 , 32 neck @.343,,32/40 @ .338 ,base dia. 32/40 @.424 & .32 bsae @ .422 ,,,but mostly thinking new barrel .






  Hootmix.

[QueensHorseman]

The .32 Special is one of my favorite calibers and it will do great with cast loads pushed by either smokeless or BP.  I can understand if you want a .32-40 for nostalgic reasons but otherwise the Special will do everything that you are asking and there are lots of good rifles still out there if you look.   The Special is clearly a far better caliber than a .30-30!   

[Slamfire]

 Nostalgic,,,i believe that is the right word. This rifle is not hunting purpose's but more for target  ,100-200yd. I have researched and read about the creedmore matches,,and others,,the ballard's & the 32.& 33. CAL's would fit me just fine ( I stopped hunting eions ago). I also just wanted to start something to think,& talk about. After comparing the two cal's.,i really wondered if you could just ream the 32. chamber (bottle necked) ,out to the tapered 32/40 .






  Hootmix.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Attempting to alter a .32 Special to .32-40 means PUTTING BACK metal. perhaps I wasn't clear enough. It's not happening.

I believe that you have several options here;

1. Get or keep a .32 special repeater.   Frank Barnes in Cartridges of the World speculated on the motivation for the Special, when it was so close in capability to the .30-30. He concluded that it was an option for former .32-40 shooters who wanted to reload with their old components, includng black powder.

2. Rebarrel a repeater to .32-40.   You have already investigated this option, pending a decision on advisability.

3. Get a single shot target/hunting rifle in .32-40.   I think you have already mentally worked on this one. The .32-40 was originally one of the Ballard target cartridges, and became famous when offhand target competition that we now know as Schuetzen was popular. The Winchester Hi-Wall became the epitome of this genre.  Here is a link to whet your appetite;

http://www.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1280883036

And an original FS;  http://www.gunsinternational.com/RARE-SPECIAL-ORDER-1885-HIGH-WALL.cfm?gun_id=100509298&CFID=28123647&CFTOKEN=210bd33e1d184ae4-86FC0F06-90B1-1C3E-AE80F52A2309F651

[Slamfire]

Thanks to all ,this is why I personally post these these type of think & talk questions here.Just cause I drive a car ,,,,it sure don't make me a mechanic(ha). I really want a 32/40 either marlin or win.,lever,,and I do prefer a 92, over a 94 ( just personal),more than likely i'll end up doing a rebarrel or sleeve on one that's shot out. But still,,,,,there is that what if !!!! Again thanks for the help& replys.






Hootmix.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Slamfire; The Win '92 won't handle the length of a .32-40. It's own proprietary cartridge was the .32-20, also a great caliber and available.

The .32-20 in a Marlin '94 or Winchester '92 is a nice woodswalking piece. Good for anything with fur up to fox, or even coyote. A big ol' groundhog if not shot at much will learn to respect your shooting skills. No experience, but it might do for lever action  silhouettes?

[Slamfire]

Sir Charles,,did ont know that about the 92's,,,,again this is why I come here with my what "IF's",. So I will need to be looking at 94's.  I will also consider your thoughts on a 32/20 ,,,I have a rather nice older rossi in 44/40, just shoot cas loads,,,,but I just have this ,,,want,,,ya'll know what I mean.   Thanks again for info.







   Hootmix.





 

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Slamfire; Anytime you can acquire something you want as you want it, Do it!

Converting something will always COST!

[Slamfire]

 Sir Charles,,, you are so right ,,,,,I'm on it. -------Man I love this place!!!!!!









  Hootmix.

[Cliff Fendley]

Think of the 92 for short action pistol caliber length and the 94 for longer rifle calibers.

[pony express]

I wonder, if you happened to find a '94 or Marlin, with a bad bore, you could have it re-lined, and then chambered to 32-40.

[Slamfire]

 H EY,Pony,,,yea I think that's probable the thing to do.  Been in touch w/ our local gunsmith,say's can do,,now I just need to find one I can trade my collection of alum., can for.(lol).  Thanks








  Hootmix.

[Slamfire]

 CLIFF,,,thanks good example.






  Hootmix.