sparky
does it engrave the nose bore riding area or the front driving band?

 

Ha! I wish I had one to show.....I shot em all:biggrin: the nose

 

the lyman 321297 has a tapered nose and a narrow front driving band weighs 187 gr, if you are looking for an off the shelf mold. sgt dog has worked a lot with this and he has a custom mold from lbt(i like), but i think the ones you are squeezing in are going to be the most accurate, anyway they are in my 30s. listen to me the expert, i dont even have a 32-40.

 

Green Lizzard is too modest (generous too) as he helped me with the chamber cast and several other things on my journey with this rifle. The mold I got was without a crimp groove so I can adjust to brass length with no problem. I seat to kiss the lands, not so much for any jump rationale as to center the cartridge in the chamber. No crimp groove took a while to get used to but I did eventually.

GL, on a side note… thanks for the use of that Lee 500gr mold. Whatever you did to restore it worked pretty good and I’ve had some fun this weekend getting ready to find out if that bullet is wide awake at 50yds or starting to dose off. I ordered one this evening but might cast a few more with yours in case mine doesn't come in in time for the my plane ride. Funny how those $19.99 molds can add up to $32 once they factor in the shipping and handling fees. Oh well, got one on the way now and this time I didn't spend a buck & a quarter.

Sparky, What did ours slug at? If the Lyman dropped where you could size to fit your bore it would be pretty neat to have a period bullet!

In the mean time I'd do like GL said and shoot Wind a PM on what he's using for his. Bet he's used more than one!

 

reread your first post, see you are looking for bullets not molds. i bet wind or jb can steer you the right direction

 

I loaded a few for a function check and some plinking and it was minute if coffee can. I had to put on almost all my elevation to get there. But that little squeeze was pretty firm. I've had good luck with slightly engraved bullets in my limited cast experience so I'm not opposed to it but this was rather firm I thought.

 

A mold will be in the works eventually, soon as I educate myself a little more on the issue.

 

Hey Sparky.....
The Lyman #321317 is period correct for the 32-40 and is the bullet Lyman uses for factory duplication loads. It is suppose to drop at .323 and is a gas check bullet.

The Lee 175gr RN 8mm is a similer shape, but just a tad bit heavier. I have used the Lee bullet with good success in both my 32-40 rifles. One a lever gun, the other a 1885 High Wall. If you would like to try some of them send me a PM. I think I also have some of the RCBS 08-170 FN cast, but I haven't tried them in either 32-40, I shoot them in 32 Specials.

 

sparky
in my shooting i have found that with a bore rider tight is better with a tapered nose a wide front driving band is better. lever guns can be picky

 

Hey CS, the ones I'm trying are the rcbs 170's from western bullet company initially purchased for my 32 special. I chambered a dummy and it pushed it way back in the brass beyond the front drive band. So I loaded them a hair longer and went with it. Still plenty engraved and the squeeze is very noticeable. Not too bad but I'm thinking not a real good fit.

 

Did Western Bullet specify which mould they use to cast that bullet. RCBS make two 32cal 170gr FN nose bullets. I believe one is designed for 32 Specials and one for 8mm Mausers. If the block they are using is labeled 08-170 you might do better with the 32-170 it drops a little smaller.

RCBS 2-Cavity Bullet Mold 32-170-FN 32 Cal (321 Diameter) 170 Grain

 

Sparky - Did I miss it, or have you been able to slug the bore? Like City Slicker I shoot a 175 grain RN 8mm Lee bullet sized 322 in my 32-40. They actually weigh about 178 grains using wheel weight metal. Shenandoah

 

Well....I actually didn't slug the bore. I poured that cast and measured the groove dia from that. Should I slug it also?

Btw from the cast it measured .320" and bullets on hand are .321" so I gave them a go.

 

It is the 32 170 fn they provided a label on the bags

 

i bet your bore size is near .311 check one in the muzzle when you get them if its a bore rider

 

I would like to thank City Slicker. As it turns out he is only a few minutes away and he gave me a few samples of some good looking 32's to demo. I like this web site. Hopefully this weekend I will get to see how they chamber. Stay tuned.

 

Hey there Sc -- My 32-40 likes the RCBS 82024. A 170 grainer, and molds presently available from RCBS. Mine does not like to be engraved, but does like a .324" diameter - just particular to my rifle. Hope this helps. Best regards. Wind

 

I shoot the RCBS bullet in my 32SPL. and they shoot well.If the bullet you have shoots well you might try trimming your brass slightly to avoid making it too hard to chamber and keep using it.Saeco makes an few molds that are an old style design.A 165 gr. and a 200gr. if I remember right.They are a tapered bullet like those that were breech seated.

 

This is a copy of the original Ideal G.C. bullet specifically designed for the .32-40.
Accurate Molds: Custom Bullet Molds

As was mentioned the Lyman 319247 is the correct plain based bullet.
Buffalo Arms offers it but it is a bit expensive.....
32-40 Winchester Bullets|Casting Supplies|Quality Hand Cast Bullets

w30wcf

 

Ok it's becoming pretty clear from looking at the bullet designs that there are a couple that will probably play well with my chamber. Looks like the lyman and the accurate designs will both chamber without much engraving if any. I may need to trim the brass just a touch to get things mated up. Many thanks to all who offered up assistance. When the holes on paper are a little closer together I will come back with the steps taken and pics of the results.

 

Some of those are more for the 32 special like the 321297. The crimp groove makes it a bit long for my lever action. The 321295 is a 32-40 gas check bullet at 174 grains. I use the Accurate 32-180-B. It is a copy of, or inspired by the Lyman 321295. It is very close, perhaps a bit heavier.

 

Here's one I just made out of a run of 50. It's with the Accurate 32-180-B. Maybe looking at the dimensions will help you sort out the problem. The nose on your bullets may be too long, as they may have been intended for different calibers or schuetzen rifles. I trim the brass to 2.115" since it is a bit short to start with and the case mouth needs to be even. You can trim from 2.11 to 2.13". If my brass grows to 2.13" then the OAL would be 2.50", as it is now the OAL is 2.485". That is crimping it right in the groove. My rifle will cycle with rounds out to maybe 2.55" or a little longer, so that leaves a little room, but a 321297 will not cycle. These rounds function fine. Never had a jam so far. Pretty accurate. Knocks deer over.

 

btw... just went and looked at my coffee can of 32-40s. Having handled those Lee 500gr 3Rs I thought I'd opened my can of 32-20s instead.

 

Ooops... didn't realize there was a second page here. I missed Wind's response and your bore size. Yours is a bit smaller than mine Sparky. The balance of my barrel is .3225 but the throat and first six inches is pretty corroded and worn - my cast is .326 and size .325 to fit the throat.

Sometimes I wonder what is best a compression slug or a push through. In my case a compression slug at three different spots told a more complete story that a push through told. From your chamber cast though, you chamber end looks VERY good.

 

Here is the bullet that City Slicker was kind enough to offer for a trial run. Sized at .323 and checked. The lube smells really nice and they weigh in at 178gr. This is the Lee 8mm mold. It chambers nicely and when crimped in the groove it cycles cleanly with not much room to spare. Hopefully next weekend I will have some good pictures to follow up with.

 

I like it... especially the weight over my 164gr.

 

sarge
i have that mold also, if you want to try it

 

Believe I might GL... but I owe the library two before I can check out another