range report with observations and questions

[FLINT]

Well,

I finally got my guns back from the gunsmith. The 32 special (Winchester 94, 1948 manufacture) turned out pretty good. The 32-40 still needs some work. I'll bring that up at some other time.

I went to the range this past weekend and shot the 32 special and my marlin 336 30-30 (2002 manufacture).

Got the 32 special sighted in and seems to shoot pretty good. Feels real nice shooting also - something special about these old winchesters.

2 observations:

1. with the 32 special I was shooting factory winchester ammo and I noticed that after firing, the primers were bulged out a little - I can post a picture tomorrow if that would be helpful to see. I guess all I really want to know is if I should be concerned about it. I'll probably be shooting less than a box of ammo through this gun every year.

2. It could be my immagination, but it really seemed like there was less felt recoil from the 32 special than my 30-30 marlin. This doesnt make sense to me because:

1. the marlin weighs more than the winchester
2. the marlin has that factory rubber recoil pad and the winchester has this flat steel checkered butt plate
3. the 32 special was shooting 170 grain factory winchester ammo and the 30-30 was shooting 150 grain factory winchester ammo.
4. both have 20" barrels

maybe it has to do with the design of the gun or maybe it was my imagination.

anyways, thanks for your help with the primer bulging issue.

[J Miller]

Flint,

Glad you got the problems taken care of.
I've noticed the felt recoil difference between Winchester 94s and Marlin 336s before.
I think it's the design of the stock where it meets the cheek. That area on the Marlins with the pistol grip stock always beats bruises on me. It seems to double the felt recoil. Those with straight stocks don't.

Joe

[FLINT]

ok, that makes sense,


oh and sorry. when i said "thanks for your help with the primer bulging issue" I meant, thanks in advance - I still want help with this

[salvo]

Hi Flint, you just discovered why the model 94 was so successful, lighter, trimmer and comes to the shoulder so well, just something special about shooting the 94, for me anyways!
The primer backing out is pretty common on these older guns, most people do not worry about it, but if it was mine I would have the head space checked just to be sure all is well.

[Cherokee]

I would say the primers stick out because of low pressure in the round. IOW, not enough pressure to push the case back against the bolt face to push the primer back into the primer pocket.

[TedH]

I would say the primers stick out because of low pressure in the round. IOW, not enough pressure to push the case back against the bolt face to push the primer back into the primer pocket.

+1

[salvo]

I would say the primers stick out because of low pressure in the round. IOW, not enough pressure to push the case back against the bolt face to push the primer back into the primer pocket.

+1

I agree also, never have shot factory 32 Special and did not realize they are that low of pressure rounds. Guess that would explain the low recoil also.

[FLINT]

That is very interesting.

So if I reloaded some rounds that were at a slightly higher pressure than the factory rounds, you think that the primers would not bulge.

The gunsmith did install a brand new barrel on this gun that I bought off ebay before they stopped allowing such things. So, I'm assuming that he would have checked the headspace and that it should be ok.

Thanks

[mescalero1]

I would not make that assumption.
A lot of people out there advertising themselves as professionals, when indeed they are not.

[DerekR]

Factory Winchester .32WS ammo isn't any more "low pressure" than factory Winchester 30/30 ammo.

[FLINT]

ok, so if its not low pressure, then a headspace issue? What are the implications of that? Like I said, its a brand new barrel so it should be in good condition, although maybe not installed correctly in terms of headspace.

here are some pictures of the brass in case that matters. the primers are backed out just a tad.

lets see if either of these links work.

[Leverluver]

Looks like head space to me. It could be that without specific instructions, they just used go/no go gauges. If the no-go didn't go, then it was called good. Personally, if I were rebarreling, I'd prefer to send along the brass I wished to use and have it head spaced for that. The gauges still leave a little too much slop for my way of thinking.

[Tycer]

You can check headspace with Plastigage or layers of saran wrap over the case head. With the saran wrap, keep adding layers until the bolt won't close then mic the thickness of the plastic. I wonder if 6mil poly is 6 mil?

A lot of 30-30s leave protruding primers and are still withing proper headspace parameters.

Post some pics when you can!

[DerekR]

Ditto what Tycer sed. My Winchester 94 30/30 has slightly backed-out primers, but headspace is "within acceptable". One solution, if you reload, is to neck size only the brass that was fired in your gun. I say have the headspace checked, and if it is acceptable, don't concern yourself too much about it. But I would get that headspace checked, especially since it was rebarreled.