32-40 vs 30-30

[daisygordoninc]

Why is it 32-40 pressures are so much lower than 30-30 pressures?

[Pete44ru]

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The older .32-40 was at first a black powder round, chambered in many different firearms, including Schuetzen/target rifles.

There's a lot of weaker rifles out there, so chambered - and (often) lower-powered ammo is better for target shooting (more accuracy & control) then higher pressure rounds.



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[North Country Gal]

Hi

I'm no expert on the 32-40, but I do have a friend who shoots in Schutzen competition, using black powder in his 32-40. It's as Pete, says. The 32-40 began life as a black powder cartridge for single shot target rifles, so pressures have always had to stay on the low side for some of these old guns. On the other hand, the 30-30 began life as a smokeless cartridge and the higher pressures you get with that kind of powder, right from the very start.

[Malamute]

Keep in mind that if you want to improve the performance of the 32-40 in a rifle capable of handling more pressure, the 32-40 has less case capacity than the 30-30 or 32 Special, so you can't get the same level of performance at the same pressure as those other rounds. Yes, you can improve performance, just not to the same level.

Not sure if that has any bearing on your question, but may apply to someone thinking they should be able to match 30-30 performance in their 32-40 since their gun is the same as 30-30's come in.

[daisygordoninc]

Thanks, that helps me, I think likely I can load the 32-40 somewhat heavier but probably not match the 30-30 based on those
issues.

[Malamute]

If you're loading hunting loads for the old Winchester chamberings, you may want to secure a copy of "The Winchester Lever Legacy" by Williamson. He spent years working up higher performance hunting loads for about every chambering for all the Winchesters for the 86, 92, 94 and 95, and a little work on the Big Bores.

He gets a bit over enthusiastic in his descriptions at times, but he shot literally tons of game with many many of the old guns and rounds. He also was farming on a fairly large scale, and over the years shot thousands of deer that were eating his crops. It's a very interesting read if you like the old guns and rounds.

[Mike Armstrong]

And Ken Waters' "Pet Loads" lists somewhat hotter .32-40 loads for use in strong single shots like Win 1885, TCR-83, and "modern" lever repeaters like Win 94s, Marlin '93s, and Savage '99s.

You can make an effective deer load for the .32-40, just not quite a .30-30 or .32 WS. For medium/woods ranges and careful shooting only, I think.

I notice that MGM makes Contender barrels for the .32-40, and that, I think, counts as a "strong single shot."

Who makes cases for .32-40 now, or do you have to make them from .38-55s or .375 Win?

[Malamute]

Some commemorative ammo has been made, I dont know if Winchester or another maker has done brass for them recently. I think any of the cases based on the 38-55 should work to make cases, 25-35, 30-30, 32 special, etc. The necks may get thick when making cases from 38-55. I think all would probably need to be trimmed after forming.

[Don McDowell]

If loading for a modern 32-40 you can zip the thing right up there, but any rifle in the early production years were not proofed for smokeless powder, and it's best to load with black.
You can form 32-40 from 38-55, also 30-30 or 32 special, but the later two cases will be a bit short.

[Bruce Scott]

Who makes cases for .32-40 now, or do you have to make them from .38-55s or .375 Win?

I usually use 30-30 cases but was able to buy new Winchester 32-40 brass last year. As I understand it, they only do runs of it every few years.

[FLINT]

The only thing to keep in mind though, is that 30-30 brass is shorter than headstamped 32-40 brass.

I've worked up some decent loads for the 32-40 with 5744 and 3031 - hotter than BP loads for sure, but still plenty safe in winchesters with nickel steel barrels.

[ColColt]

From all I've read the 38-55 brass is the easier of the lot to make 32-40 brass when not available. Rocky Mountain Cartridge can make those but they're not cheap. Check with Jamison periodically, also. For whatever the reason, Starline doesn't make it.