32 special

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historicfirearms
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32 special

Post by historicfirearms »

I've had a few 32 Winchester specials over the years but currently don't own one. Well, thats about to change as I am buying a 1894 src. For some reason I had forgotten about how "special " the 32 is with cast boolits. The 1:16 twist allows full jacketed bullet velocity with accuracy using a cast boolit. I thought I used to have a RCBS mold for the 32 but can't currently find it. Maybe my old shooting buddy borrowed it long ago. Anyway just musing about the 32 special and wondering if there are many fans left. It seems to be dying a slow death as I don't see many around anymore.
Last edited by historicfirearms on Mon May 18, 2020 8:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
hondo1892
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Re: 32 special

Post by hondo1892 »

I have a Winchester 94 carbine made in the 20's in .32 Special. Yes I like it very much but I like odd caliber guns. I have the RCBS mold for it and I have another by Accurate that has two different bullets for the .32, a twin of the RCBS design and the other is a 165 grain bullet. The lighter one doesn't shoot well in my carbine and I don't use it very often. I do really like the heavier bullet and have taken deer with it.
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marlinman93
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Re: 32 special

Post by marlinman93 »

I've had a number of Marlin 1893's in .32 Special and always liked the caliber. Have none presently, and no plans for one. But I'm always open to the caliber if the right gun showed up in .32 Spl.
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Marvin S
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Re: 32 special

Post by Marvin S »

Here’s my Mod 64 in 32WS , pretty slick handling rifle.
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6pt-sika
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Re: 32 special

Post by 6pt-sika »

I like the 32 Special quite a bit ! Had three Marlins an 1893 , a model 1936 and a 336SC of 1952 vintage . But I gotta say I actually like the 32-40 a skoosh more :wink:
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ollogger
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Re: 32 special

Post by ollogger »

I also like the 32 spl, mine is a src made in 1911 and smooth as silk, have a old ideal mold that casts a bullet around 190 gr.
also have a 1893 Marlin in 32-40 and they both shoot same bullet very well



Brad
daisygordoninc
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Re: 32 special

Post by daisygordoninc »

I love the 32 special, grew up shooting deer with a 94 given to me by my great aunt who had killed many deer with it.
I think it was made in the 30's. My dad also had one, we hunted for many years with those 32s. I presently own several
94s in 32 special made from 46 to 55, several in very good condition. I also own a 32 special made in 1903, octagon
barrel, 26 inches. Shoots very well, had the original 32 special sight. I've got some high powered 32 ammo from buffalo
bore, would like to kill a bear or moose with it. My one regret is that I sold my original 32 given to me by my great aunt,
needed money and sold it for $100.00. I guess we all have one or two of those we wished we had.
hfcable
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Re: 32 special

Post by hfcable »

32 special really is special. Paco wrote a great article on it, and in his books. the larger bore size gives it an improved expansion ratio and it really can perform !
I am working up some of his loads right now …. I have had several 32s but only have one now . it is a marlin model 36, made in 1947, the same year I was made. I hope my son will keep this one and make sure it continues to be passed down... its kinda pretty:

Image

Image

Image

really nice wood and wonderful windage adjustable tang sight. very very smooth action.
cable
historicfirearms
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Re: 32 special

Post by historicfirearms »

hfcable wrote: Mon May 18, 2020 7:46 pm 32 special really is special. Paco wrote a great article on it, and in his books. the larger bore size gives it an improved expansion ratio and it really can perform !
I am working up some of his loads right now …. I have had several 32s but only have one now . it is a marlin model 36, made in 1947, the same year I was made. I hope my son will keep this one and make sure it continues to be passed down... its kinda pretty:

Image

Image

Image

really nice wood and wonderful windage adjustable tang sight. very very smooth action.
Look at the wood on that one! Sure is pretty.
historicfirearms
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Re: 32 special

Post by historicfirearms »

ollogger wrote: Mon May 18, 2020 5:35 pm I also like the 32 spl, mine is a src made in 1911 and smooth as silk, have a old ideal mold that casts a bullet around 190 gr.
also have a 1893 Marlin in 32-40 and they both shoot same bullet very well



Brad
Do you know the number of your Ideal mold? I would like to try a heavier boolit in mine too.
historicfirearms
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Re: 32 special

Post by historicfirearms »

daisygordoninc wrote: Mon May 18, 2020 7:07 pm I love the 32 special, grew up shooting deer with a 94 given to me by my great aunt who had killed many deer with it.
I think it was made in the 30's. My dad also had one, we hunted for many years with those 32s. I presently own several
94s in 32 special made from 46 to 55, several in very good condition. I also own a 32 special made in 1903, octagon
barrel, 26 inches. Shoots very well, had the original 32 special sight. I've got some high powered 32 ammo from buffalo
bore, would like to kill a bear or moose with it. My one regret is that I sold my original 32 given to me by my great aunt,
needed money and sold it for $100.00. I guess we all have one or two of those we wished we had.
I feel your loss. Sold my 1917 Enfield sporter that I got for my 13th Christmas. Needed money in my 20s for something I can't remember. But I sure remember how much it meant for my family to give me something so extravagant. Sure wish I never let that rifle go. It makes me feel like a bad son.
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ollogger
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Re: 32 special

Post by ollogger »

Sorry on the mold number as it has none, just weighed some & they were around 178 gr, with gc maybe the 190s were
mostly pure lead with a bit of tin ? they were for the old 32-40, the lighter ones was for the 32 spl. with ww
the mold is single cavity


Brad
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fordwannabe
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Re: 32 special

Post by fordwannabe »

HI like the 32 special. I have several and a 32 HPS, I knew what it was but they didn’t.
Last edited by fordwannabe on Tue May 19, 2020 7:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
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OldWin
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Re: 32 special

Post by OldWin »

I like the 32. Got 6 I think.
A 94 Trapper, 20" SRC, a rifle, and a pre war (no ring) carbine.
A standard model 64.
A case colored 1936 Marlin.
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EdinCT
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Re: 32 special

Post by EdinCT »

I also have a 32 that's promised to son #2. Its nothing fancy a 94 carbine made in 1964 the worst of the worst if you ask folks. Its a tack driver and deer killer supreme! I changed the lifter out to a forged style just because I could and the sheet metal did bug me but worked fine.
I shoot a cast Lyman 321297 GC at 184 gr and a NOE 323 that has the changeable nose pins that's around 180 gr withe the shallow HP pin in.
I have to admit it kills deer very dead, much deader than the 30 WCF! LOL
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Re: 32 special

Post by Griff »

I could just barely afford to pick up my last couple of .30-30s... If I started in on 32s... either version, I'd be broke!!!
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RIHMFIRE
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Re: 32 special

Post by RIHMFIRE »

mine goes on at least one hunting weekend a year....1941... love it...
20161217_162913.jpg
20161217_162932.jpg
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6pt-sika
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Re: 32 special

Post by 6pt-sika »

ollogger wrote: Mon May 18, 2020 5:35 pm I also like the 32 spl, mine is a src made in 1911 and smooth as silk, have a old ideal mold that casts a bullet around 190 gr.
also have a 1893 Marlin in 32-40 and they both shoot same bullet very well
Brad
The three 32 Specials I had as well as the 32-40 were all Marlin’s . The 32 Specials I don’t miss that much but that 1893 32-40 with half octagon barrel that’s now in the UK I miss from time to time .
Parkers , Mannlicher Schoenauer’s , 6.5mm's and my family in the Philippines !
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6pt-sika
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Re: 32 special

Post by 6pt-sika »

It still p..I..s..s..e..s me off that Marlin didn’t make a 336XLR in 32 Special when Hodgdon saw fit to bring the rubber tipped bullets out in 32 Special 🤔
Parkers , Mannlicher Schoenauer’s , 6.5mm's and my family in the Philippines !
Mossyoak1957
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Re: 32 special

Post by Mossyoak1957 »

1960 Marlin 336 SC .32Spl. is all I hunt with not much blueing left on the receiver but the action is like butter you can work it with one finger.
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daisygordoninc
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Re: 32 special

Post by daisygordoninc »

Nice Gun, great pictures. I hunt deer with my "old" 94 32 special, made in 46. It shows lots of wear
like yours but shoots very well, just love carrying it. I have other much nicer ones but love it because
it is only one year younger than I am.
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Re: 32 special

Post by Ray Newman »

From what hunters who shoot a .32 Spec’l. and the .35 Remington tell me, it seems the .32 Spec’l. and 35 Remington down range performance on game exceeds their paper ballistic tables….
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