.32 Winchester Special ?

[Streetstar]

Any fans out there ? (look who i'm asking) The 32 WS obviously doesn't have the following of the .30 WCF and i have found a couple of nice pre-64 examples at almost acceptable prices (vs the 30/30 that is)

I have been told that originally the 32 WS was a blackpowder round while the .30 as everyone knows has always been a smokeless round -- but other than a little bit bigger bullet, any advantages or drawbacks?

currently bidding on a 1943 model 32 WS on GB strictly due to the price

[Marlin32]

Excellent round. Better than the 30 for certain. Bid in confidence !!
I have a Marlin, and prefer them to Winchesters.
Thinking of buying another 32sp and then "Improving" it to 32 Improved. Might add another 100-200fps? Not sure what that would gain me, but I am always thinking anyway.

I just wish there were more rounds available. I would like to see a 180-190 grain bullet for it.

[2ndovc]

I don't think the .32 WS was a BP round. It was Introduced 1901/2 after the introduction of smokeless powders.

jb

[jlchucker]

According to a copy of a 1905 Winchester catalog that I have, they brought it out after the 30-30, with the intent of providing a rifle/cartridge that a customer could handload with black powder after firing factory ammo manufactured with the "new" smokeless powders. It seems that at the time (1905) Winchester considered smokeless powder to be something too dangerous for handloaders to use. They made a slightly bigger bore, and rifled the barrel with a slower twist to allow for less powder fouling. It kind of made sense after I read the writeup in the old Winnie catalog--provided that while reading you put yourself in the place of a rural hunter in 1905. But I'm a more modern type of guy. I've owned plenty of 30-30's, never a 32 Special--mostly because one that I liked never really crossed my path. Streetstar, I wouldn't turn one of the ones you mentioned if they are in good shape--these days they let you handload with smokeless. Lots of guys into bullet casting are fond of the 32 Sp as a deer round. I don't think you'd get by trying to hotrod that caliber though, because of the slow twist of the barrel.

[Streetstar]

looks like i just bought one ---- will post up pics in a week or so when it gets here

link to auction ---- i know there are probably a ton of people out there that will tell me i got burned -- but oh well, you only live once

besides, i've never owned a 70 year old rifle before


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =211658673

[6pt-sika]

When I was at my Marlin collecting "peak" I had about a dozen Marlin's in 30-30 and only three in 32 Special !

And with that being said one would "assume" I liked the 30-30 more . And as you may well surmise that could not be further from the truth !

The 32 Special is one of my ALL TIME favourite lever action cartridges !

I've shot quite alot of cast bullets in both the 30-30 and 32 Special at metallic silhouettes and some at deer from both rounds .

I reality I arrived at the 32 Special and 30-30 late in life (mid 40's) . But had always been an advocate of the 32-40 . To me the 32 Special is more of a "modern" version of the 32-40 then a necked up 30-30 . In the practical sense the 32 Special is no better then the 30-30 , but then there are many other such arguments in the gun world like the 270 vs 06 , the 444 vs 45-70 etc etc etc .

If the 32 Special makes you feel beter great and the same for the 30-30 . If I were to have my pick between the 30-30 and 32 Special I'd take the 32 and never look back !

[GoatGuy]

I'm more than happy with my two Winchester 94 .32 Win. Specials. The rifle is scary accurate and the other is the carbine I take to the woods each year. The carbine does all that I need and is plenty accurate within the ranges that I shoot.

[Old Savage]

I don't believe there is any practical difference between the 32 Spl and the 30-30 except that the 32 doesn't have the 150 gr option.

[homefront]

According to a copy of a 1905 Winchester catalog that I have, they brought it out after the 30-30, with the intent of providing a rifle/cartridge that a customer could handload with black powder after firing factory ammo manufactured with the "new" smokeless powders. It seems that at the time (1905) Winchester considered smokeless powder to be something too dangerous for handloaders to use. They made a slightly bigger bore, and rifled the barrel with a slower twist to allow for less powder fouling. It kind of made sense after I read the writeup in the old Winnie catalog--provided that while reading you put yourself in the place of a rural hunter in 1905. But I'm a more modern type of guy. I've owned plenty of 30-30's, never a 32 Special--mostly because one that I liked never really crossed my path. Streetstar, I wouldn't turn one of the ones you mentioned if they are in good shape--these days they let you handload with smokeless. Lots of guys into bullet casting are fond of the 32 Sp as a deer round. I don't think you'd get by trying to hotrod that caliber though, because of the slow twist of the barrel.

The reduced rifling rate will have an effect on bullet choice and accuracy.

Congratulations on that find! Let us know how it shoots.

[jlchucker]

Streestar, that's a nice-looking rifle you just acquired. Now, if you really want to be a happy camper with your "new" 32 special, you'll pick yourself up a bullet mold designed with that caliber in mind, and work up an accurate load. RCBS for one makes such a mold--you'll also need some gaschecks. Look over some website info about handloading 32 specials. There may be other molds besides that one. Before you're done, you'll be shooting that rifle a lot but you'll need to check out some info about loading for that caliber first. There's probably guys on this site that have experience with such loads. One good thing about cast bullets is that a lubed cast bullet is real easy on old rifle barrels. Another good thing is that a cast bullet with a big flat nose will kill game nowadays every bit as good as it did way back in the day. Let us know how you make out--even if you try some real blackpowder loads at some point. I would like to see a photo of you, holding that rifle beside a dead 10 point buck, killed with one of your cast bullets, posted on this site. Good luck!

[TMair]

I think that is a great looking gun, and I would say the price was right.
I used to have a 94 in 32ws, it was a rifle with half round half oct. barrel, ivery bead front sight, tang peep site, and tiger striped wood, but like so many othere dumb mistakes I let it go a long time ago, do I wish I had it back, well yes I do.
Good luck with that gun.
Terry

[cshold]

I don't believe there is any practical difference between the 32 Spl and the 30-30 except that the 32 doesn't have the 150 gr option.

I agree...

But there is just something way cool about the name
32 Winchester Special

[Old Savage]

Agreed - always wanted one and had a chance to clean up an almost pristine one last week made in 1961 that a friend got from his dad.

[Blaine]

If you really like it, you didn't get "burned"

[Tycer]

Nice! Looking forward to range reports!

[Stan in SC]

I recently bought my first one and just last week got the opportunity to shoot it.Very very accurate.You did good on that one.

Stan in SC

[Bob Winchester]

Lucky dawg with a nice rifle!

[Marvin S]

I have been shooting 32-40s for a few years and just picked up a Mod 64 in 32 WS, now to get some cases and dies.