32ws Reloading ?

[delta-419]

I just acquired a Winchester 1894 special order "eastern carbine" in 32 Winchester Special circa 1925. I plan to reload for it and have a lot of 8mm .323 cast lead bullets. The 32ws shoots a diameter .321 bullet. Will it be safe to shoot the 8mm bullets in the carbine, provided I can seat the bullets in the smaller cartridge neck. This will be used for punching holes in paper. Your thoughts!

 

[29aholic]

Cast should be alright. Get a 323 expander for your sizing die.

Sent from my SM-A102U using Tapatalk

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The .323" bullet should do just fine in the .32WS bore. I would suggest that you acquire the Lyman M-die to size the case necks to accept that bullet diameter (also provides a modest amount of flaring to facilitate easy seating without damaging the bullet), otherwise you may experience case shoulders collapsing under the pressures of bullet seating. A workable alternative might be the use of an expander ball for the 8X57 Mauser in place of the smaller expander ball in your .32WS die.

As always, start at the book recommended minimum charge (for which the Lyman Reloading Handbook is an excellent resource for cast bullet loading) and work up carefully to the results you find best in your rifle.

 

[delta-419]

8mm/32ws

Thanks for the feedback, I have ordered an 8mm expander die to open up the 32ws case mouth to take the .323 cast lead bullets that I bought years ago, however when I mick'ed out some of the bullets they proved to be .324. Are these still usable or should I consider a resizing/lube die to get it closer to .321. Is .324 too large for the 32sw?