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Old 12-29-2019, 05:29 PM
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Winchester Model 94 in 32 Win Special Thoughts? Winchester Model 94 in 32 Win Special Thoughts? Winchester Model 94 in 32 Win Special Thoughts? Winchester Model 94 in 32 Win Special Thoughts? Winchester Model 94 in 32 Win Special Thoughts?  
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Default Winchester Model 94 in 32 Win Special Thoughts?



I recently purchased an old Winchester Model 94 in .32 Win. Special. I have always enjoyed the old Winchesters and this one was a surprise find at a local shop.

The next surprise was when I went to buy ammo Cheapest I could find online was about $1.30 a bullet IIRC. I think it will be fun to reload and just ordered some components and some factory boxes.

Ballistics are comparable to a 30-30 I guess; this is my first one in the caliber.

Seems like it would be a good deer gun.

Anyone have any experience with these and can share their thoughts or opinions?
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Old 12-29-2019, 05:39 PM
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Shot my firs two deer with one back in the 1960s. A very popular rifle in the northern woods where your shots will normally not be over a 125 yards. most much less that that.

A good bet more deer and other animals have been taken by that one and its brother the 30.30. Some people say it hits harder than a 30.30 but to me its a wash. There not a target rifle but a very good hunting gun! Reasonably accurate and very easy to handle.

OP enjoy your new gun its a keeper!
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Old 12-29-2019, 05:52 PM
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If I remember correctly, The 94 in .32 Special had a different rate of twist to be adequate for either using smokeless or black powder to reload with. Came about because of the logistical problems during the Alaskan and Canadian gold rushes of the beginning of the last century. Could be incorrect.... but a neat theory.
I would consider it to be the ballistic equivalent of a 30-30, with more expensive factory ammo.
Cool gun, especially if you are into having something....slightly different. (I have one).
O.Z.
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Old 12-29-2019, 06:02 PM
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I like old lever guns and this one just didn't seem to be getting any attention because of the caliber. The price was very good and I though, shoot, I'll probably spend more on bullets then the gun, but it will be fun to take to the range or out here on the farm.

I still have my grandfathers Winchester single shot .22 short or long single shot bolt action rifle. It was the first gun I ever shot with my Dad, guessing when I was around 8,9, or 10 years of age at the range. That one rifle started it all for me when it came to Winchesters. Funny how I ended up marrying a gal related to the Remington's but always liked the Winchester's over Remington. (Distant relation, I still have to work! Ha!)
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Old 12-29-2019, 06:31 PM
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I don't think any deer would know the difference between .32 Special and .30-30 WCF. I believe Winchester came out with the caliber to compete against the popular line of Remington Rimless rounds, one of which was the .32 Remington.

It would be a bit more of a challenge and would offer more satisfaction to take game with obsolete calibers and firearms. I wouldn't bother reloading for it as most of these rifles saw the light for deer season and not much else, are fired too few times to warrant the investment unless you already have a full reloading set-up and just need dies and a shell holder.
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Old 12-29-2019, 07:26 PM
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I don't know if it hits harder but the one I had sure kicked harder then the 30-30 examples.
Jim
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Old 12-29-2019, 07:39 PM
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@ Italiansport, it might be because this is a carbine. Less weight equals more felt recoil.Not sure. Just my guess.
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Old 12-29-2019, 08:00 PM
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Hornady Leverevolution works well out of many guns. If yours groups it well, then consider it for a good hunting round. Ive been impressed with the performance of it in 30-30, .44 mag, and .35 Remington.
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Old 12-29-2019, 09:52 PM
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I had a Savage 99 takedown that had been rechambered to 32 Winchester. It was sold to me as a 30-30 first shot keyholed, stopped right there took a chamber casting scratched my head a bit as I had no experience with the 32 Win. I finally with help of Cartridges of the World figured it out. Reloading is your friend bullet selection is slim though
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Old 12-29-2019, 10:37 PM
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Winchester 94 in 30-30 was as far as I understand the first cartridge for smokeless powder. When it was introduced a lot of people did not want it because they could not reload it with the black powder they were used to and had on hand, so Winchester released the .32 Win Special, as a comparable caliber that could be reloaded with black powder to satisfy those customers.
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Old 12-29-2019, 10:48 PM
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I had one passed down to me from my mother's husband. Fantastic guy. I think it is a 1949 vintage. Family "legend"is that it only ever fired two shots. I received a old box of shells that contained 18 rounds and two empty casings. Fit and finish is phenomenal. Definitely not a rifle i would ever part with.
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Old 12-30-2019, 12:26 AM
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A 1941 Winchester Model 94 Carbine in .32 Winchester Special lives here as well as a 1928 Winchester Model 54 Carbine in .30-30. Both possess sparkling bright 20-inch barrels. I once acquired two brand new boxes of Winchester Western 170 grain ammunition, one for the .32 Winchester Special and one for the .30-30 and chronographed them side-by-side.

Averaged 10 shots from each rifle. The .32 Winchester Special offered 10 feet per second more than did the .30-30; 2114 fps to 2104 fps.

Don't really see the extra power that once was claimed for the .32 Winchester Special.

Over the years I've taken five deer with each cartridge. Actual after-shot interviews with ten different deer on the ground found that they couldn't tell the difference either.

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Old 12-30-2019, 12:57 AM
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I've got 1906 and 1948 Win 94's and a 1950 Marlin 336SC in .32 WS. I picked up about a dozen boxes of factory ammo years ago. I shot a couple of boxes and have been reloading that brass ever since. If it ever wears out I'll shoot a couple more boxes.
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Old 12-30-2019, 01:03 AM
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A couple of years ago, an elderly neighbor decided he needed to sell his firearms since his house was being sold and he was moving into an apartment. One of those firearms was a 1947 vintage Win model 94 in 32 Win SPL. His father gave him the rifle as a birthday gift for his 14th birthday in 1947. He was a deer hunter in PA and told me the rifle has bagged over 75 deer.

Winchester's production was geared back into civilian production in and about 1947, and the company re-entered civilian production following the end of the war.

That vintage model 94 is known as the "flatband" given the flat shape of the forward barrel band.

These rifles had a 1 in 16 barrel twist to accomodate black powder loads and reloading.

I've had good results using the Hornady 165 grain FTX projectile over a dose of IMR 4064.

Here are pics of rifle and a couple of sample plinking shots:








All in all, a classic lever rifle!

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Old 12-30-2019, 01:05 AM
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For hunting purposes, there is no appreciable ballistic difference between the two calibers (.30-30/.32 WS). It is very simple to form .32 WS cases from .30-30 brass (just run it through a .32 WS full length resizing die to neck it up), but the resulting brass will have a .30-30 headstamp. That could cause an ammo mixup problem if you have rifles in each caliber, but if not, then it's not an issue. I would think that a set of .32 WS reloading dies wouldn't be too difficult to find. I don't know how difficult it is to find correct .321 jacketed RN bullets for hunting. The story I have frequently heard is that a rifle in .32 WS will group very poorly if the bore is worn much. True or not, I can't say. I don't quite understand (1) why rifle makers continued to offer the .32 WS chambering for so long, as BP didn't last long into the early 20th Century, and (2) why didn't they go to a faster rifling twist after BP largely disappeared?

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Old 12-30-2019, 07:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
I don't quite understand (1) why rifle makers continued to offer the .32 WS chambering for so long, as BP didn't last long into the early 20th Century, and (2) why didn't they go to a faster rifling twist after BP largely disappeared?
One word simple answer: TRADITION!

more words, same answer: If it works, don't fix it!

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Old 12-30-2019, 08:21 AM
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I borrowed my Aunt Bea's Winchester 94 in .32 Special when I first started deer hunting many years ago. It was a great rifle.

Winchester also made a lever gun in .33WCF in the 1886 model. I believe it was 1902 when it was available. Many different calibers were around back then also.
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Old 12-30-2019, 10:57 AM
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My buddy had a Marlin waffle top in that caliber. As has been said, no advantages over the 30-30, but he preferred it. For a while. I think he sold the Marlin and bought a Winchester 94 in 30-30. Found ammo for the .32 at Wal Mart, priced the way it was back then.
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Old 12-30-2019, 11:07 AM
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One time I went Deer Hunting up in the Michigan UP.
The Brothers who owned the place, my Buddy Russ’ Dad and Uncle,
Both had Lever action Rifles.
One was a 30-30 and the other was a 32.
They did a ongoing comedy sketch grabbing each other Guns.
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Old 12-30-2019, 11:13 AM
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Buy some dies, buy a mold.....go to town.
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Old 12-30-2019, 11:53 AM
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Talking Winchester 1894 in 32win special

I also shoot a Winchester 1894 in 32 spl. I purchased it from an old gentleman who used it for a lifetime in the Blue Ridge mountains in VA. He said that he lost count of the deer he had harvested. The carbine dates to 1927. It started me on a long road of collecting Winchester lever guns and reloading for same. Its like Mom's hot apple pie, you can not stop with just one and reloading is as addictive as the guns. I reload for 30-30, 32 WCF, 38-55, 25-20, 25-35, 38-40, 30-40 Krag and everything a S&W shoots. Right now, I have discovered the joy of shooting the 1894 in 25-35 to the point of collecting 3 carbines and a rifle all of which are over 100 years old and they stack the bullets. Reload and enjoy the sport of collecting and shooting and your "new" discovery. Enjoy!
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Old 12-30-2019, 01:02 PM
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In fall of 2017 I determined to dust off the Model 94 .32 Winchester Special for deer season since it hadn't been out in several years. Took it to the range in October to verify sights. Was a fluke I'm sure, but it turned in the best 5-shot group I ever shot with an open sighted lever-action at 100 yards. Was tickled!

As it turned out, a few weeks later I sustained some unanticipated bypass surgery so deer season was a bust and I still haven't taken the Model 94 for an outing.

It's a World War II eve pre-war Model 94 Carbine. Shows the best group of the day and another group shot. This was accomplished with Winchester Western factory loads. Always heard that the .32 Winchester Special was less accurate than the .30-30. I've also held the view that the Winchester 94 was less accurate than the Marlin 336, but ... maybe that ain't so.
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Old 12-30-2019, 01:05 PM
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It's a good cartridge, It does what it was intended to do.
Is it any better than a 30-30, No, probably not in deer hunting situation.
Is an 8mm Mauser any better than a 30-06 in the same situation probably not.

Doesn't mean much really.
If you reload, just buy '32spcl 170gr FN or RN jkt bullets. Most all the bullet makers mfg them. They are .321d. They work in the .32Remington also.
Many reloading manuals double up 30-30 and 32Spcl reloading data.

Make cases from common 30-30 as already mentioned. LEE offers dies as do most of the others.

No you usually won't find it on the shelf at Wally's, but you never know. If you do it'll most likely be more $$ than the common 30-30. That's just supply & demand stuff.
38-55 is usually more too. Try and buy some 25-35 for cheap sometime.

50rds keeps me well supplied. It doesn't have a 30rd mag and a charging handle on the side,,so operation is pretty slow and easy at the range.


The 32WIn Spcl was introduced as a HV smokeless cartridge,,nothing else.
Came out in 1905 and chambered in the Win 94 carbine and rifle.

It was a HV smokeless standin for the already in place choice of the 32-40 WCF rd which was the same bullet dia, same bore dia and rifling twist, and had been loaded in both BP and smokeless (light smokeless loads).
The 32-40 stayed around in the 94 till WW2 even with the 32Special being offered as well.


I don't buy the general thought that the rifling of 1-16 was used from the start because Winchester wanted to put something out there that would allow the shooter of the era to be able to reload it with BP.

I think Winchester just found the 1-16 twist sufficiently accurate for the bullet weight, shape and velocity the new HV cartridge was producing and stuck with it.
There certainly wasn't going to be an elaborate choice of Jacketed bullet weights and shapes to mess with rifling twist rates.
I haven't ever seen much in the way of complaints of accuracy in the 1-16 bbls with over the counter commercial smokeless ammunition.
Look at the pics of the targets just in this thread shot with smokeless reloads.
The 32cal 170gr/165gr jacketed FN seems to be quite accurate in the 1-16 twist. and has been so for 100+ years.

The 32-40 using the same bullet, either lead or jacketed didn't suffer from accuracy issues either since it's beginnings in the 1880's.
It was a top choice mid range off hand target round for many years.
A BP/lead bullet round initially, it was later loaded with thin jacketed bullets and light loads of smokeless powder.
These lighter smokeless loads with a nod toward the older Ballard, H&A and Stevens rifles of the day in that caliber.

IIRC, one Winchester Reloading brochure (1905?) mentioned that the 32Win could be (re)loaded with BP as well as smokeless as the owner desired.
...So true of any cartridge out there.

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Old 12-30-2019, 01:35 PM
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My first centerfire rifle is a 1948 94 .32 Special I still have. It is a “flat band” carbine where the front band is flat on the sides rather than rounded. In the classic “Cartridges Of The World” Every bizarre cartridge ever made is listed, but the ONE round that earned the title “most useless cartridge” by Barnes is, yes, you guessed it. The .32 Win. Special! Why pick on my rifle?!! All the flash in the pan redundant wildcats and failed commercial round and he called the .32 useless. I think his rational was it was too close to the 30-30, but probably ignored the black powder reloading option it was correctly meant to be used for.
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Old 12-30-2019, 01:36 PM
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I have never quite understood if there is much truthfulness of stories about handloading the .32 WS with BP, although I suppose some have done it, and why the 1:16 twist was supposed to be better for use with BP. It doesn't make much sense.

My very first attempt at reloading, back in my early teens, was reloading a fired .30-30 case with BP and a fired .30 Carbine bullet, which I fired in an ancient Model 94 rifle (not a carbine). The interesting part of that event was that I also reloaded the fired primer using a cap gun cap. I removed the anvil from the fired primer, tapped out the firing pin dimple in the cup with a flat-end punch, cut the paper from around a cap and put the cap mixture in the primer cup, and replaced the anvil. It actually fired.

"but the ONE round that earned the title “most useless cartridge” by Barnes is, yes, you guessed it. The .32 Win. Special!"
I believe he was referring to the .32 SL, not the .32 WS, as used in the Winchester Model 1905 self-loading rifle. And which later became the inspiration for the .30 Carbine cartridge.

As has been mentioned, Remington had a rimless counterpart to the rimmed .32 WS cartridge, the .32 Remington, for the Remington Model 8 rifle. I have no idea what the rifling twist rate used for the .32 Rem Model 8 was. Reloading data for the .32 Remington and the .32 WS are identical, just as the .30-30 and .30 Remington data are the same. Aside from the presence or absence of the rim, there is relatively little case dimensional difference between the Winchester and Remington .30 and .32 versions. I use a .30-30 die set for reloading the .30 Remington.

Last edited by DWalt; 12-30-2019 at 02:03 PM.
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Old 12-30-2019, 01:48 PM
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Just FYI regarding the slower twist of the 32:

Below is a link to an an interesting short article appearing on the Western Powders website entitled "Loading for the .32 Winchester Special". It discusses the black powder/cast bullet ideas mentioned on our thread for the 32.

Thought it could be somewhat informative...

LOADING FOR THE .32 WINCHESTER SPECIAL << Western Powders


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Old 12-30-2019, 03:30 PM
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I recall reading that when the barrel of a 32 Winchester Special became worn accuracy went out the window while a 30-30 could still give good results.
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Old 12-30-2019, 03:59 PM
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I inherited a 1952 Winchester 94 in 32 Special that saw deer woods duty in VA and WVA. Although it took many deer over the years, I have never hunted with it... Range time has been limited but accurate.
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Old 12-30-2019, 04:35 PM
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Can you guys with the flat band guns give us the serial numbers with the last couple of digits "X"ed out if you want. Just wondering what the serial number range is. Thanks.
Larry
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Old 12-30-2019, 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by DWalt View Post
I have never quite understood if there is much truthfulness of stories about handloading the .32 WS with BP, although I suppose some have done it, and why the 1:16 twist was supposed to be better for use with BP. It doesn't make much sense.

My very first attempt at reloading, back in my early teens, was reloading a fired .30-30 case with BP and a fired .30 Carbine bullet, which I fired in an ancient Model 94 rifle (not a carbine). The interesting part of that event was that I also reloaded the fired primer using a cap gun cap. I removed the anvil from the fired primer, tapped out the firing pin dimple in the cup with a flat-end punch, cut the paper from around a cap and put the cap mixture in the primer cup, and replaced the anvil. It actually fired.

"but the ONE round that earned the title “most useless cartridge” by Barnes is, yes, you guessed it. The .32 Win. Special!"
I believe he was referring to the .32 SL, not the .32 WS, as used in the Winchester Model 1905 self-loading rifle.
No, he was talking about the .32 Special. I looked it up before writing that to make sure the word "useless" was used which it was. I kind of liked that my gun was in a different caliber than the .30-30 just to break up the monotony.
Boykinlp, my flat ban .32 Special carbine is # 14451XX.


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Old 12-30-2019, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by boykinlp View Post
Can you guys with the flat band guns give us the serial numbers with the last couple of digits "X"ed out if you want. Just wondering what the serial number range is. Thanks.
Larry
Sure - my flatband 32 has a serial number of 1431xxx.

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Old 12-30-2019, 08:20 PM
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Years ago, I was standing in a LGS when a fella brought in a 94 carbine 30/30 with the lever jammed tight. After some levering, hammering and cussing, the lever relented, the action opened and out popped a 32 WS case. The shop owner explained that firing a 32 Special in a 30/30 rifle was perhaps not a good idea. The gun owner said he’d been shooting 32’s in that rifle for years and didn’t think it was a problem. I don’t know if he went to 30/30’s after that or not. Speaks well for the strength of the 94 action.
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Old 12-30-2019, 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by boykinlp View Post
Can you guys with the flat band guns give us the serial numbers with the last couple of digits "X"ed out if you want. Just wondering what the serial number range is. Thanks.
Larry
Larry,
My model 94 .32 win spl flat band sn is 14042xx. Don't know the history, bought a few years ago at a garage sale.
Greg
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Old 12-30-2019, 11:07 PM
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"No, he was talking about the .32 Special. I looked it up before writing that to make sure the word "useless" was used which it was. I kind of liked that my gun was in a different caliber than the .30-30 just to break up the monotony."

Not in my copy of COTW (7th Edition), p.113. I will quote Barnes's comment regarding the .32 SL: "It is probably the number one candidate for the title of the world's most useless centerfire rifle cartridge." On p. 67, he discusses the .32 Winchester Special. He makes no comments about it being a useless cartridge.
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Old 12-30-2019, 11:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BLACKHAWKNJ View Post
I recall reading that when the barrel of a 32 Winchester Special became worn accuracy went out the window while a 30-30 could still give good results.
That's already been mentioed in this thread and by Jack O'Connor in, The Rifle Book and in, The Hunting Rifle.

I've heard a few yokels tell me the .32 was more potent than the .30-30, but never believed that.

But the .35 Remington really does seem to be a better killer at the modest ranges at which these rifles are used. The late hunting writer John Wootters, Jr confirmed that, and he knew whereof he spoke. John probably used his Sako .308 more on deer, but had very wide experience with many rifles. His, Hunting Trophy Deer is recommended, if you can locate a copy.

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Old 12-31-2019, 12:55 AM
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.... I have no idea what the rifling twist rate used for the .32 Rem Model 8 was. ....
I have a Rem Model 8 in 32Rem on the bench right now. Just finished a restoration.
The twist rate is 1-15 by my somewhat shade tree measuring method of a tight patch on a cleaning rod measuring one rotation in the bore.
Rifle mfg'd in 1933. Excl bore.

I've shot it quite a bit in the past.
Accuracy with 170gr FN jacketed bullets intended for reloading in the 32Win Spcl and using 3031 powder. Iron sights it's no problem for me w/70 y/o eyes to get 1 1/2groups at 50m.
A family member has hunted with it in the past and has accounted for Whitetail with it at ranges up to 80yrds by his pacing off. One shot kills.

Not bench rest accuracy, but not bad from a 75 y/o autoloader that's only known for 'deer accuracy', and in a caliber w/a twist rate that shouldn't produce anything but beer keg accuracy w/smokeless powder by some accounts.

You get the same out of most any 32 Win Spcl lever gun or a Remington Model 30S bolt rifle chambered for 32 Rem.
They're all rifled in the 1-16 range +/-.

I don't think Remington brought out the 32Remington Auto Loading Rifle caliber in 1906/07 with any though of the owner re-loading it w/BP.

The 32cal 170gr bullet just seems to do fine in a 1-16 rifling twist rate.

As far as the Model 94 lever gun goes,,if you wanted a BP cartridge in one and wanted to continue to reload BP for it (or even buy commercial BP loaded ammo for it),,the 32-40 or the 38-55 were the calibers of choice for you.
And both calibers were continued to be offered up till WW2 in the 94.
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Old 12-31-2019, 09:26 AM
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Quote:
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"No, he was talking about the .32 Special. I looked it up before writing that to make sure the word "useless" was used which it was. I kind of liked that my gun was in a different caliber than the .30-30 just to break up the monotony."

Not in my copy of COTW (7th Edition), p.113. I will quote Barnes's comment regarding the .32 SL: "It is probably the number one candidate for the title of the world's most useless centerfire rifle cartridge." On p. 67, he discusses the .32 Winchester Special. He makes no comments about it being a useless cartridge.
My beat up flea market copy says "Revised 3rd Edition". I guess he wrote different stuff in different editions. But our books are different. Here's where my .32 Winchester got the bad rap in the general comments, "If there is such a thing as a most useless cartridge, the .32 Special would certainly cop the prize", omitted from your edition, or added later to mine. And he doesn't say it about the .32 SL in my book like is in yours. Just negative comments comparing it to the superior and more reloadable .32-20.


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Old 12-31-2019, 09:41 AM
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One of the first rifles I ever bought! Always had to have an old Winchester!
32 Winchester Special Saddle Ring Carbine made in 1926, it came out of a local gun smiths collection.
Took it out on many a deer hunt and even retired it once but it went back out again for one last time.
Great rifle,,,,enjoy!
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Old 12-31-2019, 10:37 AM
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If it's feasible for you I'd buy an inexpensive bullet mold for it and shoot cast bullets.
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Old 12-31-2019, 10:52 AM
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Default tale of my "Winnies"

My 32 Spl tale begins in 1963. Growing up in far southwest NY State, only shotguns with slugs allowed for deer so my venerable Ithaca Model 37 resulted in my first 2 whitetails, however my buddie and I, both having turned 18 in 1963 decided we would both save up the whole year and deer hunt the Adirondacks (rifles) come deer season.

We knew we had to have a guide, so we made arrangements (local guy, small camp, food and camp lodging included for 4 days in the woods..no "guarantee of deer, only that you'll get a chance), and we knew a good Winchester lever gun was probably the best (guides recommendation as well).

Anyway..the only gun I found that I could afford used was a Winchester 94 in 32 Special. Bought it, took it, had a great time but then my "friends and neighbors" requested that I go advise LBJ on the matters before him regarding US Army policy and procedures (I got drafted!). Lot of good handguns and long guns got sold in order to leave my brand new wife with some small coin to survive with until the Uncle Sam deal was over.

Fast forward several (actually many) years, I wanted desperately to replace that Win 32, but never saw one available, but finally did run across a Model 94 in 30-30 roll stamped New Haven, so before USRAC bought Winny out. Serials to about 1978/79.

Both guns have taken whitetail in multiple States, all at 75 yards or less, and most in heavy brush (and somehow always at the bottom of a draw....). Those Model 94 carbines are a life saver as those of you who have taken a deer at the bottom of a draw and face an uphill climb out with the dressed deer and your gun know the drill...rifle plain sight against a tree...drag or hump deer 20 yards, back and get rifle...repeat, repeat, etc. et. al. ad infinitum

Never had the luxury of a ATV, or even a pickup.

Accuracy between the two? Don't know but as posted the deer didn't seem to realize any difference either.

Love those Winchester lever guns.
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Old 12-31-2019, 03:59 PM
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Boykinlp, my flat ban .32 Special carbine is # 14451XX.
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Originally Posted by Bayou52 View Post
Sure - my flatband 32 has a serial number of 1431xxx.
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Originally Posted by ghawke View Post
Larry,
My model 94 .32 win spl flat band sn is 14042xx. Don't know the history, bought a few years ago at a garage sale.
Greg
Thanks guys, I find this very interesting. Mine is serial number 15016XX, so that is quite a spread, much larger than I would have thought.
Larry
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Old 12-31-2019, 04:30 PM
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Quote:
I recall reading that when the barrel of a 32 Winchester Special became worn accuracy went out the window while a 30-30 could still give good results.
That's already been mentioed in this thread and by Jack O'Connor in, The Rifle Book and in, The Hunting Rifle.
And in my Speer # 9 reloading manual.

My guess would be the inaccuracy issues reported with the .32 MIGHT be due to blackpowder shot rifles left uncleaned and rusting and pitting.

When eventually cleaned the damage was already done resulting in the poor accuracy.

Just a guess.
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Old 01-03-2020, 05:29 PM
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Thanks for the posts and insightful comments everyone, keep' em coming.

I ended up buying 500 rounds of Federal ammo online, because they had a rebate which the wife found for an extra discount that brought it to roughly $ 1.00 per round. Picked up a reloading die. As for casting bullets...maybe. I have an old blacksmith shop on my hobby farm that came with all the tools when I bought the place. I 'tinker' and have been making amateur work knives. Just for fun and for use for me personally.

I am a little concerned that this is a slippery slope on old or unusual calibers and I know that another is not far behind....!

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Old 01-03-2020, 06:23 PM
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My limited experience with my M94 (in .30-30) has been that cast 170 grain bullets do not shoot well in it, and after some load experimentation I gave up on the idea. Maybe it has something to do with my barrel or that the only cast bullets I have tried are not gas-checked (from Missouri Bullet Co.). Might not be the case with cast bullets in .32 WS.
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