.32-40 Bullets

yonderin

yonderin

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Looking to reload some for a friends heirloom. Trying to find bullets, I understand it's .321, but having no luck. Being lever action I need flat or round nose.

Prefer to go with lead but if jacketed is all that's available, guess that's what he'll get.

Does anybody know of a possible supplier?

Thanks.
 
Southern Alberta.

I did look at the Bullet Barn and they stock what looks like what I want but am concerned about the hardness of their bullets. Not knowledgeable about such things. Given the age of the rifle and not wanting to wreck something with family history, I am maybe being a bit too cautious.

Any education is greatly appreciated.
 
Hardness on straight lead is usually velocity related. What muzzle velocity are you expecting from your load info? I've heard the fastest that hard lead should go before you need a GC is about 2000 fps. Otherwise you're going to get leading in the barrel.

my lee manual has load info, speer one does not. Looks to be all ~200 grain lead bullets and going 1000-1300 fps. At that point you could pretty much use any lead and you should be good. There is a warning in there that the loads only apply to guns marked for smokeless powder, so look into that. Also you might want to slug the barrel to see the current diameter, may well need to step it up to .323 tips, at which point lead cast for an 8mm mauser would work..
 
The Bullet Barn bullets are hard when compared to traditional cast bullets,but are far softer than a jacketed bullet. I wouldn't be concerned about shooting them in an antique. The other option would be to cast them yourself. That way you can get exactly the bullet you want.

Chris.
 
Thanks for the help. Not looking to achieve anything in particular beyond a reasonably accurate load, staying under 20,000 cup.

Not a target rifle and unlikely to be used for hunting ever again. Just something that they can have fun with. I have considered using single F Black for propellant, should be a bit harder to overpressure it but the loads shown in the link give some flexibility.

Thanks again.
 
I just went through this exercise myself for a Marlin 1893 Black Powder version built in 1894. The IDEAL standard bullet is 319247 for MY gun. Only place I can find them already made is Buffalo Arms. They won't export to Canada unless you have export/import papers.

Jethunter has bullets that are close to this spec and are made with 20:1 lead:tin alloy. So talk to Jethunter and see if this appropriate for your rifle.
 
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