32 Winchester special

[Islanderflyer]

I would like to start casting for my 1921 vintage Winchester 1894 saddle ring carbine. It's my goal to get a good deer hunting load worked up for next year, the rifle's 100 year anniversary.

What mold should I look for? There are not many new ones being made so maybe have to buy one off that auction site. Probably needs to be gas checked, thinking about a 2000fps velocity load. I already have an appropriate sizer for the Star. Assuming 8mm gas checks would be ok.

 

[richhodg66]

I can't remember who made it, might have been NOE, but it's a fairly close copy of the Ranchdog design, about 180 grains. NOE catalogs a very similar one, but out of stock now. I loaded that with 30 grains if IMR 4320 and a small tuft of dacron, worked well on the one deer I killed with my .32 Special Marlin.

 

[waco]

What weight bullet? Accurate has a good selection.

 

[waco]

Bullet Design Catalog | Accurate Molds

We have an extensive catalog of bullet designs. Select an existing design or send us your custom design.

www.accuratemolds.com

 

[RBHarter]

I used the 323-170 R2 in a 32 Rem with a start load of I4350 . I didn't get to use it but I took it hog hunting . The mould is for 8mm dropped .325 and sized nicely to .323 for the .314×.321 bore . .325 wouldn't chamber freely . WW and 20-1 @ 75/25 water dropped . Plain based .

 

[Islanderflyer]

Thanks I will check out Accurate molds and keep an eye out at NOE to get that one back in stock. 323-170 R2, is that a Lee mold?

 

[L Ross]

Find an old Lyman 321297, about 190 grains, sized to .323" push it with 30 grains of 3031 and shoot it through about 4 deer at a time.

 

[RBHarter]

Yes it's a Lee . Refugee from the beginning .

 

[Matt]

I’ve had good luck with the RCBS 32-170 and 18.0
grains of SR 4759 with a gas check, sized to .321” with Ben’s Red or LBT blue soft in my 94 Winchester. 7 grains of Red Dot and no gas check has been an accurate plinker with two coats of tumble lube as cast ( either Ben’s recipe, 45-45-10, or Lee original) Ben’s is the most convenient and actually dries over night.
I’ve had poor luck with the Lyman 319247 sized .321 or as cast with any type of lube, I get 3-5 inch groups at 50 yards with 1 or more bullets out of 5 impacting the target sideways........
I started experimenting with the Lee 324-175 8mm bullet last year in 32 Special and 32/40 but got distracted and haven’t come to any firm conclusions, but seemed promising, maybe

 

[Matt]

Thought I had some photos saved of sideways 32 Special targets could only find photos of the RCBS 32-170 and the Lyman/Ideal 319247

 

[Cadillac Jeff]

I have just about the same ol rifle here, mine has no finish left on the receiver & just some blue left on the barrel,still a very cool ol rifle!
I have a NEI 165-322 GC shoots perty good also a lyman 321 298 << no GC haven't shot it to much .
I see ya aren't to far away could probly work sumthinout if ya want to try 1 out?

 

[Islanderflyer]

Thanks JWG. I actually used to manage the Cadillac airport at one time and still have friends in the area. I will send you a PM when I get a minute.

 

[L Ross]

I’ve had good luck with the RCBS 32-170 and 18.0
grains of SR 4759 with a gas check, sized to .321” with Ben’s Red or LBT blue soft in my 94 Winchester. 7 grains of Red Dot and no gas check has been an accurate plinker with two coats of tumble lube as cast ( either Ben’s recipe, 45-45-10, or Lee original) Ben’s is the most convenient and actually dries over night.
I’ve had poor luck with the Lyman 319247 sized .321 or as cast with any type of lube, I get 3-5 inch groups at 50 yards with 1 or more bullets out of 5 impacting the target sideways........
I started experimenting with the Lee 324-175 8mm bullet last year in 32 Special and 32/40 but got distracted and haven’t come to any firm conclusions, but seemed promising, maybe

Yes that was my exact experience with the 321297 many years ago and was also my epiphany with cast bullets in rifles. I had cast, loaded, and fired thousands of cast bullet rounds in hand guns, mostly revolvers and a couple of Contenders. I got an older 1894 saddle ring carbine in 32-40 and imagine my surprise when after firing a 32-40 I ejected a .32 Winchester Special empty!
I had my Uncle Elmer's 321297 mould he used in war surplus Mausers and I thought I'd try it in the .32. I dutifully sized to .321" as my Lyman manual told me too, plus I read that .32-40's were .319" anyway. Key holes at 25 yards and total dismay. The carbine was relegated to jacketed bullet use for years.
I think I read something by Mustafa Curtiss saying load as fat a bullet as possible. The mould dropped at .324" and I found a .323" sizer and now the little carbine shot fine. 14 grains of 4227 for plinking and 3031 for hunting.
From that day forward my education in the cast bullet game escalated. My mantra ever since has been load a bullet as big as you can and still get .001" for bullet release in the neck of the chamber.

 

[Missionary]

Greetings
My first centerfire was a 32 Winchester in a 336 Marlin. My first loading dies were the Lee "wack-em" in that caliber. My first fox (red tails) and groundhog buster !