32-40 ammo ???

Someone in 1950.

Honestly, even brass is hard to find. There's been some commemorative stuff over the years so that or some Dominion/Imperial can be found at gun shows.

Maybe Rusty Woods or Bullet Barn would have a lead on some reloaded ammo.
 
The .32-40 is pretty much a reloaders only cartridge these days. I have brass for mine, but it's very easy to use Starline .38-55 brass. Just run it through a .32-40 sizing die and trim it to length. If you don't cast your own bullets you can buy some from Rusty Wood Trading. IMR-4227 is a good powder for cast bullet loads in the 1250-1350 fps range.

Chris.
 
Thanks, guys!

I'm mentoring a young shooter in reloading who has a 30-30 and a .243. It's his neighbour that has the 32-40 carbine. If we can form cases from 30-30, it's not going to be a problem. Bullets are available.

I may end up casting as well. What the hell is one more calibre on the list?
 
If you can reload with the owner it's not a difficult cartridge at all. There is lots of advice about forming brass from 30-30, 38-55, or 32 special.
As long as the bore isn't too oversized bullets aren't a problem in cast or jacketed.
Load data is plentiful in older guides and online.
 
Once in a while Winchester pumps out a lot of brass: I've picked up enough for my life, given how little I shoot it. Jethunter on CGN casts 170gr bullets if you need a source for projectiles. Higginsons has brass in bags of fifty currently listed for $53.00

It's a handloaders caliber now... 32-40 Ballard & Winchester has been relegated to Chapter 3 (CotW) for decades. Gun shows almost always have old ammunition but it's always at a premium price. I haven't heard of any special runs of ammunition since Winchester did the John Wayne commemorative in the 1980s.
 
If they have that brass in stock I'd snatch it up quick. I shoot some single shot target rifles in .32-40 and bought the last of the .32-40 brass that Wholesale Sports had in stock anywhere. I know of Americans selling it for several dollars for a single piece of it. I haven't seen it in stock anywhere for maybe 3 years.

Mind you, it's easily formed from other brass so if you don't care about the headstamp being right it's no big deal.

Chris.
 
I have several hundred new 32-40 brass but keeping it for my old 1894. Like BrotherRockeye says 30-30 will be a bit short but it works. Just anneal before reforming.
 
Back when Wholesale Sports was open .32-40 brass was easy to find. I get my bullets (Projectiles) from the Bullet Barn and the propellant that gives me the best accuracy is with IMR 4227.
 
The problem is two US companies who used to make it are now gone - JAMISON brass closed doors in 2018.
Winchester has not run those in years and does not look like they will again from reports I saw.

Rusty Wood Trading had some but sold out recently. Told me to check back shortly as they have plans to reform other cases.
 
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