A buddy of mine uses reformed 30-30 in his Marlin 1893. I've prefered using sized down 38-55 over sized up 30-30. They'll get you shooting at least.

Sorry, my paltry supply of 32-40 was too difficult to get for me to think of selling any. It's out there, though. Quality Cartridge in Maryland still makes runs of it for about $2 a piece.....

 

Thanks Joe. I’ve heard that the formed cases from 30-30 cases are about a hundred thousand short. Do you have any pointers on forming cases from either the 30-30 or the 38-55? I’d appreciate all the help I can get! I’ll check out quality cartridge, thanks for your reply.

 

I noticed the same with the 30-30, just a mite short of what 32-40 should be. I personally don't shoot well enough to notice a difference. The slug will protrude just a little more that normal, but you'll have no problem getting a good COAL.

Starline 38-55 short brass lands right where 32-40 should be on length, so I like it better. You can crimp on a more aesthetically pleasing spot on the bullet, so it looks like a proper cartridge.

32-40 and 25-36M are there own little cartridge family. Separate from the 38-55, 30-30, 25-35, and 32special. But I've found they're not dimensionally so different that you can't use some of them between each other.

 

Hello everyone I just picked up a 32-40 built on a trapdoor action and am in need of brass to reload with. If anyone knows of a supplier or has some they can let go please let me know
Thanks

fish64,

I use the Starline short version of 38-55 brass 2.08". You can make 32-40 brass using your full length sizing die. You will need good lube (Imperial Wax) using very small quantities and sizing in 1/4"-3/8" increments until complete. If I recall correctly, 5-6 passes to full length resize.

The reason I suggest the short version of the 38-55 brass is the final length will be an easy trim. The 2.125" brass will grow to the point of being to long for the sizing die causing case mouth damage before you full length resize.

BTW: Anneal First

Good news, you can back order now direct from Starline.

Good luck

 

fish64,

I use the Starline short version of 38-55 brass 2.08". You can make 32-40 brass using you full length sizing die. You will need good lube (Imperial Wax) using very small quantities and sizing in 1/4"-3/8" increments until complete. If I recall correctly, 5-6 passes to full length resize.

The reason I suggest the short version of the 38-55 brass is the final length will be an easy trim. The 2.125" brass will grow to the point of being to long for the sizing die and case mouth damage before you full length resize.

BTW: Anneal First

Good news, you can back order now direct from Starline.

Good luck

I've used regular RCBS lube and reformed starline 38-55 in one pass, without annealing. That's with the 32-40 Cowboy Dies that sadly were discontinued.

 

Ok I looked and the “short” 38-55” is 2.080 so do I use that or the 2.125???? I’m a little confused at this point.
Thanks

 

Yes, buy the 2.080 (usually called the 38-55 short brass)

Not the 2.125 (unsurprising called the 38-55 long brass haha)

 

Hello everyone I just picked up a 32-40 built on a trapdoor action and am in need of brass to reload with. If anyone knows of a supplier or has some they can let go please let me know
Thanks

If you ever frequent gunshows keep an eye open for Winchester made .32-40 cartridges. They did a production run in the 1990s that I was able to buy a couple 20 round boxes. Shot these cartridges and use the brass for reloading more. Work much better than reformed .30-30 casings IMO.

Good luck with the "new" rifle!

 

32 Special brass is by far the easiest brass to reform to 32-40. The neck is already the perfect size. Just run through a full length 32-40 sizing die one pass ready to go. Just a touch short but actually work better as it allows you to use standard 32 special bullets and crimp properly and still feed from the tube magazine.

 

32-40 was originally a Ballard cartridge produced (for) by Marlin as a proprietary round. Winchester wanted in on the popular chambering but did not want to pay royalty nor mark their rifles with their competitor's name. By shortening the case, exactly duplicating their earlier move with 38-55 Ballard, they were technically creating a new cartridge; however, all factory chambers are the original Ballard length. If you can find them, 32 Winchester Special cases are the least trouble to convert. RCBS Cowboy dies included Lyman M-style expanders which you will need to load lead bullets. For best results slug your barrel. Groove diameter of 32 caliber barrels is highly variable, especially in older rifles. Most modern rifles will be .321 or .323. If you end up swaging 38-55 cases, make perfect 38-55s first, any defect in the case mouth will fold the case as it is swaged. Starline cases will require annealing as well.