Dreaming about a 32 Winchester Special

[Canuck Bob]

I'm laid up a bit for the weekend and started dreaming about my next rifle. I'm a sucker for the model 64 Winchester long barrel rifles. No disresect to others but that is what a Winchester should look like to me.

I also want to get a lever that falls between my 444 and 32-20. The rifle will be a dedicated cast bullet shooter so the old long neck cartridges have a ton of appeal. The 30-30 is hard to beat for price, availability, and component sourcing. However the 32 Special has a great name and gentle twist for good cast performance.

Anyone care to comment?

[O.S.O.K.]

Check gunbroker - there's several listed.

[RIHMFIRE]

Mines a 41 carbine...
not too much difference between it and the 30-30
I think its pretty darn accurate...all i need is a factory crimp die to load
although Terry told me you can use a 30-30...
Its good choice ......if you want something between the 444 and 32-20
but I like the 38-55 better...

[Sixgun]

Its 6 and 1/2 dozen of the other. I've shot and loaded for both of them out of many various firearms and both handle cast well. Each rifle of any caliber has it's own quirks and once you learn them, well, its a piece of cake to make 'em hit little targets way out yonder.

Over the years I've probably had better luck getting a 30-30 to shooter better faster and more easily than the 32 Spl. with less load development and range time.----------Sixgun

[Canuck Bob]

Check gunbroker - there's several listed.

Canadian here, must be in Canada for legal and reasons of cost.

[Canuck Bob]

Sixgun,

The 30-30 is an option. It is impossible to get a better calibre for component choice. A box of shells is available from the Arctic Coast to any hardware store. I still have 30 cal envy when i try to track down 32-20 bullets ands see the rows of 30 cal. bullets!

Oddly, a nice clean 32 Special seems easier to get at a good price. they were very popular here and many old homesteaders and trappers did prefer them.

This is also about maybe moving along my 444 as I will not use it in the bush again. A handy little cast shooter with a reasonable punch would be great.

[pokey]

Mines a 41 carbine...
not too much difference between it and the 30-30
I think its pretty darn accurate...all i need is a factory crimp die to load
although Terry told me you can use a 30-30...
Its good choice ......if you want something between the 444 and 32-20
but I like the 38-55 better...

had to read this post a couple of times.
i thought there's a caliber i haven't tried.

[mod71alaska]

....I'm a sucker for the model 64 Winchester long barrel rifles.

....The 30-30 is hard to beat for price, availability, and component sourcing. However the 32 Special has a great name and gentle twist for good cast performance.

Anyone care to comment?

You mean like one of these?



These Winchester Model 64s date from 1940 to 1953; three are 30-30 and three are .32WS. If you lived in the States, Bob, I could help you out.

Good luck in your search. The original Winchester Model 64 is a wonderful rifle!

Victor

[damienph]

Don't pass on the Marlins. My early '50s Model 336 Sporting Carbine is a good shooter and has taken several white tails by my Dad and myself.

[Canuck Bob]

Mod71Alaska, I am so jealous. Just when I started thinking maybe a 64 wasn't an option you post that pic. The extra coin isn't the issue it was and its your fault.

I'm fond of pistol grips and never write the Marlin out either. If I went Marlin I would go 30-30 as they are readily available. I need to handle a straight grip 94 to get a current feel for the handling, arthritis has tightened up my wrist quite a bit.

[RIHMFIRE]

Mines a 41 carbine...
not too much difference between it and the 30-30
I think its pretty darn accurate...all i need is a factory crimp die to load
although Terry told me you can use a 30-30...
Its good choice ......if you want something between the 444 and 32-20
but I like the 38-55 better...

had to read this post a couple of times.
i thought there's a caliber i haven't tried.

1941 carbine...

[Sixgun]

Sixgun,

The 30-30 is an option. It is impossible to get a better calibre for component choice. A box of shells is available from the Arctic Coast to any hardware store. I still have 30 cal envy when i try to track down 32-20 bullets ands see the rows of 30 cal. bullets!

Oddly, a nice clean 32 Special seems easier to get at a good price. they were very popular here and many old homesteaders and trappers did prefer them.

This is also about maybe moving along my 444 as I will not use it in the bush again. A handy little cast shooter with a reasonable punch would be great.

Canuck Bob,
It is always a wise choice to get what "hits the soul". The 32 Spl. with a cast bullet going 1800-2000 will clean the clock of anything you wish to tangle with. I wish you luck in your endevor.

That Model 71 Alaska has a mess of 'em. Take a ride over to his hideout and swipe one. He is always outside because the weather is nice where he lives so you can just park down the street, walk down and get the one that suits your fancy ----------------Sixgun

[Canuck Bob]

Canuck Bob,
It is always a wise choice to get what "hits the soul". The 32 Spl. with a cast bullet going 1800-2000 will clean the clock of anything you wish to tangle with. I wish you luck in your endevor.

That Model 71 Alaska has a mess of 'em. Take a ride over to his hideout and swipe one. He is always outside because the weather is nice where he lives so you can just park down the street, walk down and get the one that suits your fancy ----------------Sixgun[/quote]

I have to agree. Life is too short to always be sensible, specially with shooting iron. Heck a guy could do fine with one nice 22, one 30-06 deer rifle, and a good 12 gauge pump and be well fed and safe. BORING!!!!

My Dad helped build the Alaskan highway in the forties so a trip north, we don't say that a lot here, might be in order for nostalgia. They refused him enlistment because he was 15 and his 3 brothers were already overseas. But driving to Mod71's house to boost a gun might get me a trip to some terrorist compound in Cuba!!! He might be a little overprivelaged in the lever department but still a nice guy. He posted a collection of 22's on another post. He has too many choices for a walk in the woods.

[earlmck]

I'm a sucker for the model 64 Winchester long barrel rifles. No disrespect to others but that is what a Winchester should look like to me.

Yeah know what you mean. I was wandering around the local gun show a few months ago, one of the fellows had a couple nice Marlin 336A's (Marlin's equivalent of the Win 64). I said "I've got the 30 and the 35, but might have to have a 32 spcl". Nope, he didn't have that but thought a booth back up the way had one. So I wandered up there. No Marlins but there was this kinda' beat-up Win 1894 with the 26" Octagon barrel. It followed me home. Roughish barrel, but seems to shoot awful well, and that nice old weight-forward barrel just hangs on target waiting for you to drop the hammer.

And dang, still need to find that 336A. But have brass and dies for it now: always good to have a head start on a worthy project.

[model55]

I'm not bias or anything but don't pass on a model 55 if you run across one either.Basically looks similar to the 64 but with a straight grip and came as take downs.

[Canuck Bob]

I'm not bias or anything but don't pass on a model 55 if you run across one either.Basically looks similar to the 64 but with a straight grip and came as take downs.

thanks I'll google but they rarely seem to pop up here.

[Streetstar]

I like my .32 quite a lot --- Its obviously a carbine, so not the configuration your interested in. Mine is a 1947 with some minor finish wear from carrying it . To me it looks perfect. Unlike the new Glock i was prattling on about in an earlier post today, i can sit in my chair with this firearm and just look at it, wondering what kind of adventures or misadventures it saw before i took posession of it.

And bonus for me ---- it was zeroed properly on the first tube of bullets i put downrange, so i haven't had to tinker with it It will be used by me for the first time here in about 3 1/2 months in whitetail rifle season

[Streetstar]

----double post

[Pete44ru]

I wanted the same thing: a NIB .32 Special w/24" bbl - something WAAAY outta my price range.

Soooo, what I bought was a NIB .32 Special w/24" bbl for a LOT less $$$ (like, less than 1/2) - a Model 94 Canadian Rail Road Centennial Commemorative Rifle, which I promptly peeped & hunted. (The slip-on pad is to assimmilate a thick cold-weather hunting coat during hot weather practice)



.

[Canuck Bob]

I wanted the same thing: a NIB .32 Special w/24" bbl - something WAAAY outta my price range.

Soooo, what I bought was a NIB .32 Special w/24" bbl for a LOT less $$$ (like, less than 1/2) - a Model 94 Canadian Rail Road Centennial Commemorative Rifle, which I promptly peeped & hunted. (The slip-on pad is to assimmilate a thick cold-weather hunting coat during hot weather practice)



.

These models never turned my crank for collecting but I've spotted a couple that would make great shooters. I quess if they have been shot and have no box c/w box liner or documents they are basically just used guns.

The CPR has a great deal of Canadian History attached to it. We were a very small population in a huge land when that was achieved. As a Colony we grew up.

[.45colt]

Bob, I'll go the other way and reccomend a 30-30. I know it's a boring ole round but ammo is everywhere and so are bullets.. I have a 64 made in '53 that is just a well used hunter,I bet it was never fired 100 rnds in it's life. that rifle just begs for a crisp fall day.

[Canuck Bob]

Bob, I'll go the other way and reccomend a 30-30. I know it's a boring ole round but ammo is everywhere and so are bullets.. I have a 64 made in '53 that is just a well used hunter,I bet it was never fired 100 rnds in it's life. that rifle just begs for a crisp fall day.

Your advice is sound. I think it will come down to the rifle more than the caliber. I'll not overlook a good deal on a 30-30 for a 32. I am researching the post-64 options for a good shooter priced downright cheap. I can save hundreds if I can put up with the weird plated receiver thing. Many hunters seem happy with thier post-64s once the carrier, pins, and such were upgraded. The USRA and safety models don't fare as well.

[Canuck Bob]

Quick note for future searches. Convinced by true experts 30-30 and 32 Special really too similar to worry about as far as performance. 30-30 is never a mistake in a deer rifle.

I chose a 32 pre-64 94.

1- Cast was important and many posts said the 32 was the easiest cast rifle they ever loaded first time out, read it many times. Many satisfied owners for rifle and cartridge combo.

2- 32 Marlins were hard to find in Canada during my search. Would have considered one in a heartbeat. Liked the early RCs and owner's rave about the SCs. I consider them slightly better designed and built than the touted pre-64 I bought. I enjoy cleaning my 444 from the breech and MG barrels are real shooters, cast or jacketed!

3- New H Leverevolution Powder should shine in this cartridge for power loads.

4- Real popular in Canada in its day. Heritage always matters.

5- Great name, 32 Special, shouldn't matter but does!

6 - Larger diameter bullets, even a little, is never a bad idea.

[Pete44ru]

[ Great name, 32 Special, shouldn't matter but does ! ]


Yep - "Special" is special ! .

And you forgot #7 - get a .32 gun, for fun. . .

.