what part of PA are you from?

 

Eastern PA, Allentown area

 

im close to Matamoras. hmmm if I am going in your direction I have a box of John Wayne 32.40s 19 rounds . shipping the problem is hazmat fees. do you go to Dixons muzzleloading fair?

 

Thanks 94win30wcf! I actually have 3 full boxes of the John Wayne ammo but don't plan on firing them. Hard to come across those nowadays and they have some sentimental value. Appreciate the follow up!

 

Try Buffalo Arms.
If the ammo you shot was made from .38-55 cases, the brass was probably work hardened, which causes the splits. I form mine from .30-30 cases and they work fine, just a little short.
Gunbroker may have some on auction. Nobody makes ammo or brass anymore so it's hard to find. Even the stuff Buffalo sell is made from formed .38-55 cases.
Fun round to shoot!

 

I often use the website ammoseek.com for ammo that's harder find locally and/or few choices around; good site to compare pricing, what's currently in stock, brands, etc. Fairly often some links/sites listed in there have free shipping deals too depending. I just did a quick check, and they currently show one listing in 32-40... not sure if that a fair price or not. Good luck to you...

 

HunterBen,

The quick answer is, there is not quick answer at a reasonable price.

My solution.

Buy 35-55 cases
Use the resizing die of the die set to form the 32-40 case from the 38-55 case.
Use a good case lube like Imperial Wax lube. A little goes a long way. Reapply or just rub what is on the case around
Start with only 1/2" resize of the first step. Move to about 1/4"-3/8" of the case at a time on the rest as you lower the die in the press each step.
Before the last step to full length size, trim the case. It will be too long for the die and damage all of the hard work.

The other solution is form 30-30 cases. Use the expander die to first turn the 30-30 into a 32 Win Special. Then form the rest of the way with the sizing die like above. However, these cases will be shorter that recommended. They will work, just not as well as correct length cases. The first shot using this process should be a reduced load to fire form the case in the chamber.

One more step, anneal the cases before and after you form. Softer brass will make forming easier and annealing after will soften after work hardening during the forming.

After a little work, your friend may ask you to do the forming process, you are there.


The 32-40 is a very good cartridge. I hope you find a solution and enjoy the experience. Possibly you will join the reloading team in the process!

As mentioned before in earlier responses, you can buy loaded ammo and just use the cases. I think if you do the math, by the time you invest in 100 rounds you can setup a good reloading operation.

 

I've made all of my 32-40 brass from new Starline 38-55 brass as follows:

1--Before any sizing is done, trim the 38-55 brass to an OAL of 2.110.

2--Size brass using an RCBS Cowyboy 32-40 die.

2a-I use Hornady spray lube. The mistake most make using the Hornady spray is they don't shake the can to mix up the "stuff". A good rule of thumb for any spray "stuff" is to shake the can. If you hear a little metal ball inside the can.....it's there for a reason....and the only reason is to mix up stuff that has separated.

2b-When sizing, first size the 38-55 about 1/3 the way down, then pull it back from the die, turn the brass 1/3 in the shell holder, and then size 2/3 of it. Pull the brass out once again and turn another 1/3 then finish the size in the 32-40 die.

I use this method after causing several brass "vertical crease's" if I just lube and size. The initial trim removes any "excess" brass and prevents more brass being "pushed down" on the thin walled case and thus...causing vertical crease's. I then trim the final 32-40 to an OAL of 2.120 which cycles well thru my Winchester.

I hope this helps.

 

Try these guys, I do not know about them.
https://www.venturamunitions.com/ventura-heritage-32-40-winchester-180gr-rnfp-ammo-20-rounds/

 

Much appreciated Stevenkids and AZsparrow, that's a good price for those rounds! Placing an order soon.

Everyone here is always helpful, really enjoy this website.

 

I've emailed Starline several times to start making 32-40, and I request everyone that reads this to also email them. They make just about every other classic cartridge case, so there is no reason they could not make this one also. They just have to see a demand for it...

Luckily I stumbled on 300 rounds of Winchester brass to keep me going with my Marlin and Highwall 32-40's, but eventually I'll also be looking for more as my brass gets older.

 

I will be at the SHOT Show in January, it is on my list to talk to them about making the brass, it can't be less popular than the old black powder cases they make like the cases for the sharps and original Winchester 1886 and Marlin 1895 rifles from the late 1800s.

 

Ben,

Here is a teriffic place that I use. They are in Las Vegas. I bought 2 boxes for less thqn $90. Shipping them to NJ was about $13. Most of the time the brass alone costs you $1.50-$2.00 apiece.

It is possible to try reloading on the cheap and that is where you really save. Because since you don't shoot that much, you don't have to buy brass. You only need to use the brass that you shot. You can buy a Lee Hand Press Kit. then get a pound of powder and you're set. Go to Midway or e-bay to buy the kit, $50.00; .32-40 die set about $30.00. I'm not pushing you to reload the .32-40 but figure it out. The kit and the die set costs the same as 2 boxes of ammo, plus once you shoot the ammo you have all the brass you need, plus the brass can be used several times! Just something to think about.

Or just buy from here.

https://www.venturamunitions.com/categories/rifle/32-40.html

John

 

Owning a 32-40 and shooting it. I'd get them dies for the friend. Then get a bulk box of 500 good cast bullets the right size after you have slugged the groove of your bbl.

Using a powder such as Unique you would get up to 1000 shots per lb. Large pistol primers will work for these low loads. LP primers are usually easy to find.

 

I am not a 32-40 owner yet. But I am leaning towards getting one in time. The people on this forum never cease to impress me with their knowledge and willingness to share.

You all have made it seem like an even more interesting project to own a rifle in this cartridge.

Thank you all who chimed in with case forming solutions. Y'all are great!

 

Here are the two places I've found for the rounds. Like most on here, I reload my own. I have a model 1893 that is 112 years old and I LOVE firing it. I've worked different loads for softer plinking and heavier hunting. I love firing this iconic rifle.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/8...action-ammunition-32-40-wcf-170-grain-hard-cast-round-nose-flat-point-box-of-20
https://www.venturamunitions.com/ventura-heritage-32-40-winchester-180gr-rnfp-ammo-20-rounds/

 

I have a Marlin Octogon barrell 32-40 which I had had for years. Never shoot it. Never could find shells for it until the John Wayne Special shells came out. I have one box of those. Every once in awhile I look for ammo but can never find any. I have no interest in reloading. Not sure if it is worth keeping or if I should get rid of it. Anyone know if there are any shells for it. I think the John Wayne ones are 165 grain.

 

Super old thread but situation is still the same. 32-40 is impossible to find. My LGS had two boxes on the shelf today.......$60 a box. Which is why I reload for 32-40. If you don’t reload, it’s not a great caliber to keep around because it only gets more and more nonexistent. If you do decide to get rid of your 1893, PM me!