My .32-40 Winchester

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Shasta
Senior Levergunner
Posts: 1556
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:50 pm
Location: Shasta County, the far right stronghold in California

My .32-40 Winchester

Post by Shasta »

I have a 1906 vintage Model 1894 Winchester rifle, caliber .32-40, in well-worn condition and not as accurate as I would like. I could keep my shots on a paper plate at 100 yards, but it would not shoot a tight group. The rifle was also difficult to clean after a shooting session because it tended to lead up from the cast bullets I use. The bore had worn rifling, and pitting was also very evident. A bore scope showed the pitting was far worse than I had thought. I had two options if I wanted to make this rifle shoot- have it bored out to .38-55, or get a .32-40 caliber liner put in it. I already have a .38-55, so I decided to get the liner. Before I could get it done, the 2018 Carr Fire destroyed my home and all my reloading equipment, but I did save most of my gun collection, including the .32-40. It has languished in my gun safe since the fire. As I have slowly rebuilt my reloading supplies and equipment, it came time to do something about the .32-40.

I sent the rifle to John Taylor in Puyallup, Washington as he has a good reputation for installing liners. It took a little over three months and a little over $500, but he did an outstanding job and now my rifle has a new bore. I don’t know how he did it, but the liner is invisible at the muzzle.

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While waiting for the rifle’s return, I bought a set of RCBS Cowboy reloading dies and an RCBS 32-170-FN bullet mould. No brass was available, so I reformed a few hundred .38-55 brass to .32-40. By the time I got the rifle back I had a hundred rounds of various loads to test. I was delighted with the results of my 50 yard targets. The rifle shot very well with several different powders.

Seventeen grains of Reloder 7 gave just over 1,600 fps:

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Fifteen grains of IMR 4198 gave just under 1,500 fps:

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Fourteen grains of AA5744 gave 1,454 fps:

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Now all I have to do is get some sight settings and go shoot some silhouette! :D


Shasta
California Rifle & Pistol Association LIFE Member
National Rifle Association BENEFACTOR LIFE Member


http://www.hcrpclub.org/schedule.html

avatar pic is Shasta Dam, Shasta Lake, & Mt. Shasta
Bill in Oregon
Advanced Levergunner
Posts: 8849
Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:05 am
Location: Sweetwater, TX

Re: My .32-40 Winchester

Post by Bill in Oregon »

Outstanding, Shasta. That's a caliber I have always wanted to work with. I have used John Taylor for several projects and have always been extremely pleased with his work. Let us know how she runs out at 100 yards and beyond. 8)
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Old Savage
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Posts: 16687
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:43 pm
Location: Southern California

Re: My .32-40 Winchester

Post by Old Savage »

Have wondered about you. Looks like that worked out. Good to see you back.
In the High Desert of Southern Calif. ..."on the cutting edge of going back in time"...

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Marvin S
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Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2010 9:55 pm
Location: Kansas

Re: My .32-40 Winchester

Post by Marvin S »

Glad you’re getting somewhat back to normal and that rifle looks like a mate for mine. I had John do a 1885 low wall in 32wcf using a TJs liner. He does a nice job as you can tell.
.45colt
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Joined: Fri Sep 07, 2007 5:00 am
Location: North Coast of America-Ohio

Re: My .32-40 Winchester

Post by .45colt »

Great Job All Around.!!
Bullard4075
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Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 11:14 pm
Location: Billings, Montana

Re: My .32-40 Winchester

Post by Bullard4075 »

Now you have me thinking.
"Any man who covers his face and packs a gun is a legitimate target for any decent citizen"
Jeff Cooper
Alphawolf45
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Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:09 pm
Location: Bismarck ,Arkansas

Re: My .32-40 Winchester

Post by Alphawolf45 »

You had me going for a long minute there. Unfamiliar with the cartridge I had to read up on it . Ohhh yeah I could want one bad and now .I love target shooting.. Then I remembered that I already have too many rifles chambered for cartridges that have to reload for and I have no heirs that are that deep into guns. If I could find the right barrel I might build one anyway. :D Thanks for the inner turmoil :)
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ollogger
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Location: Wheatland Wyoming
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Re: My .32-40 Winchester

Post by ollogger »

You have a awesome shooting piece of history , great job!


i have a 1893 Marlin in 32-40, makes me want to get it out & shoot it, for some reason i seemed to have lost interest in the gun & shame on me!!



ollogger
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