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Winchester 94 .32 Spl Cartridge Info needed

Dairyland man
I bought a Winchester 94 ,.32 Spl Cal, Mfg in 1939

When I checked my Nosler #6 Reloading Book, I didn't find any info on this caliber.

I did find some info in a 12 year old Speer Catalog that listed ballistics etc

When and Why was this caliber dropped??

What caliber replaced it???

Is this caliber worth reloading?? i.e. Plinking, small game etc

Where can I go to get Brass, Bullets,Cartridges etc

Your comments and info will be appreciated.

Thanks, Dairyland man
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    It's a obsolete cartridge that Winchester quit chambering their Model 94 for, years ago. It's ballistics were so similar to those of the 30-30 that there were little difference between them.

    I haven't seen any new loaded cartridges for the 32 Special in a long time. Don't know if it's still loaded by Winchester? The bullets are about .0012 larger in diameter, then the 30-30, with a similar weight.

    If you have reloading equipment now, it might work out for you to buy some dies for the .32 Spc., as long as you could get your hands on the proper diameter bullets. Otherwise I wouldn't screw with it.
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  • kms1961
    i do believe hornady makes a factory load for this in there new leverevolution round. im certain they make bullets for it. have loading data available in the 3rd edition of hornady's manual.if want a copy let me know thanks kevin
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  • kms1961
    yes just checked they have loaded factory in 165 gr. and bullets for it
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  • 4440rk
    Win.,Rem., and Hornaday all load ammo for the .32 Spc. and bullets and cases are not that hard to find.

    Although may be a wait time in todays market.
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  • nononsense
    Dairyland man,

    .32 Winchester Special

    This cartridge is based on the .30-30 Winchester cartridge of 1895, and differs from the .30-30 only in bullet diameter. The cartridge was designed to be loaded with either black powder or smokeless powder.[citation needed] Winchester used a relatively slow 1:16" twist rifling for rifles chambered for the .32 WS, as it was believed to foul less than faster-twist rifling when black powder was used.[citation needed] Winchester's goal was to create a new cartridge for sportsmen who wanted something more powerful than the .30-30 that could be reloaded with either smokeless or black powder, and yet had less recoil than the .30 Army.[2][3] This new cartridge enjoyed only moderate success, and remained hampered by the small selection of available bullets in the .321 diameter.[2] There is a wide selection of bullet types and weights for the .30-30, while the only commonly-available bullets in .321 diameter are 170 grain and 165 grain.

    This is a decent article on the cartridge:

    http://www.levergun.com/articles/special.htm

    This is the factory load still offered by Wimchester:

    X32WS2 32 Winchester Special 170 gr. Super-Xr Power-Pointr

    Here are 4 loads offered by a retailer:

    http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=10480_14658_14743_14906_14824

    Brass:

    http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=1&categoryId=7574&categoryString=9315***652***670***9013***

    Bullets:

    http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=1&categoryId=9020&categoryString=9315***652***19785***9016***

    Most the Reloading supply houses have these components in stock. Do a search for 'reloading components'.

    Best.
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  • Dairyland man
    WOW!!

    Gentleman, Thank you one and all for the info for the Win .32 Spl .

    Once again, I am amazed and greatful that one simple question can generate such complete and informative satistics.

    I'll look into this caliber to see how much I can learn from reloading it.

    THANK YOU!!! Dairyland man
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  • BUCKAWHO
    Hi.....I remember reading somewhere that Winchester developed this cartridge as a smokeless powder alternative to the black powder 32-40 cartridge. BT
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  • glabray
    While mostly a twin of the 30-30, the 32 Special had a slower twist and gained a reputation for losing accuracy when the bore started to get a little worn.
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  • ~Mr. Colt .45~
    i also have a .32 winchester special and it is my favorite gun. I can find ammo for it everywhere. never had a prob. And mine is very accurate.[8D]
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