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30-30 Win. vs. 32 WS

gunman100
I have two Win 94's (pre '64) one in 30-30Win. and one in 32 WS. How much difference is there between the two as far as accuracy and killing power.
I'm not too familiar with the 32 winchester specials. I haven't fired that one yet, but I like the pre 64 model 94's and just thought it would be a nice addition to my collection.
Just wondered what your opinions were on the 32ws.
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  • nononsense
    The .32 Special had a unique property when it was introduced back in 1902. While the contemporary .30-30 cartridge was designed exclusively for use with smokeless powder, the .32 was a smokeless powder cartridge that, according to Winchester advertising, was designed to be reloadable with black or smokeless powder. To ease the problem of black powder fouling, the rifling twist in Winchester .32 Spec. Rifle barrels was 1 turn in 16 inches, rather than the 1-in-12 twist of the .30-30. That is what made it "Special."

    The .32 Special could be said to be based on a .30-30 case necked-up to accept .321 inch diameter bullets. Actually, both the .30-30 and the .32 Special are based on a necked-down, bottleneck version of the rimmed .38-55 case. The rim diameter is .506 inch, and the shoulder angle is about 14.5 degrees. The case is 2.04 inches long, and the maximum overall cartridge length is 2.565 inches. The SAAMI maximum average pressure is 38,000 cup.

    This text is based on information from "Cartridges of the World", Hodgdon reloading manual, the cartridge designer and/or own resources.

    The .30-40 Krag was the first smokeless cartridge available in sporting rifles but the .30-30 Winchester was the first smokeless cartridge specifically designed for big game hunting. When introduced in 1895 in the Winchester Model 94, the .30-30 didn't immediately set the woods on fire with its popularity. In those days most hunters still judged the killing power of a rifle by the size of the hole at the end of the barrel. But word of the .30-30's flatter trajectory, mild recoil, and ability to drop a buck as quickly as big bore cartridges soon got around. This, plus the fact that for decades the Winchester Model 94 represented the least expensive way a fellow could get into deer hunting, soon catapulted the .30-30 to stardom. Even though the .30-30 has celebrated over 100 birthdays it still accounts for its share of venison each year. When loaded with H335, H4895, IMR-4895, or W-748 behind a 170 grain bullet, the .30-30 is a good deer cartridge. Not spectacular, but good enough. Little more can be said of a number of more modern cartridges.

    This text is based on information from "Cartridges of the World", Hodgdon reloading manual, the cartridge designer and/or own resources.

    According to the sources that I read, these two cartridges are very close to being the same except for the bullet diameter. If you look them up on reloading websites, power and velocity stay close together.

    Best.
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  • cussedemgun
    30-30 & 32 spl are ballisticaly the same. when the model 94 was new the smokeless powder loads were NEW also. 30-30 was produced with a 1 in 12 twist rifling for the new smokless loads. the 32 win. spc. was offered in 1 in 16 twist for those that wanted the option of reloading with black powder or smokeless, the slower twist did not fowl with black powder as quick as with the 30-30. bottom line is if both guns have "as new" bore they are same ol' same ol'.

    "all I really need to know I learned in kindergarten" Robert Fulghum


    anyone who says "nobody needs a full auto" has never been in front of a brown bear charge
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  • allechalley
    Only other thing of note, it depends on how far from home you hunt and if you think you'd run short of ammo. I know we're supposed to be prepared ahead of time, but.........30-30 generally is everywhere, Wally World down to the corner hardware store. .32 special will take a little more planning and money. Just a thought.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by gunman100
    I have two Win 94's (pre '64) one in 30-30Win. and one in 32 WS. How much difference is there between the two as far as accuracy and killing power.
    I'm not too familiar with the 32 winchester specials. I haven't fired that one yet, but I like the pre 64 model 94's and just thought it would be a nice addition to my collection.
    Just wondered what your opinions were on the 32ws.


    To simply answer your question, there is NO perceptible difference between the 30-30 and 32 WS in accuracy or killing power.

    Bert H.

    Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!
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  • gunman100
    Thanks for the replies. I ordered a few boxes of 32's on the internet as I did notice they are a bit harder to find.
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  • Snellstrom
    What everyone said is completely true and as far as killing power you just can't tell the difference. My favorite is 150 grain in the 30/30 and the heavier 170 in the 32 special, I think this is just because the heavier is all I've found in the 32 and I think that the 30/30 is a better performer with the 150 grainer. 30/30 ammo is way easier and cheaper to get but I wouldn't hesitate to keep the 32 if you like it as well or better than the other.
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  • gunman100
    Thanks for the replies. I ordered a few boxes of 32's on the internet as I did notice they are a bit harder to find.
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