.32 rimfire - anyone making the cases anymore?

TheCoachZed

TheCoachZed

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Is anybody making the cases for these anymore in Canada? I remember there WAS a guy, but word was, he got out of it.

Are they any fun to shoot, at all? I'd like to get a revolver, and fact is, I doubt I'll be able to afford a .45-cal centerfire anytime soon.:mad:
 
TheCoachZed said:
Is anybody making the cases for these anymore in Canada? I remember there WAS a guy, but word was, he got out of it.

Are they any fun to shoot, at all? I'd like to get a revolver, and fact is, I doubt I'll be able to afford a .45-cal centerfire anytime soon.:mad:
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CBC is a company in Brazil that I believe still exists, last made production runs that were imported by Navy Arms in the early 90's. I am aware of no new sources of commercial 32 rf since that time. What you see floating around is what you get and it's pretty expensive. Some folks on this board have tooled up some reloadable brass that can accomadate hilti rounds as a primer and propellent. If you do a search you will find the relavant info.

32rf revolvers are fun to shoot but in no way can be compared to the fun or utility of a large caliber centerfire revolver. IMHO, I would save up for a larger centerfire revolver that is easier to reload or find munitions for.
 
TheCoachZed said:
Is anybody making the cases for these anymore in Canada? I remember there WAS a guy, but word was, he got out of it.

Are they any fun to shoot, at all? I'd like to get a revolver, and fact is, I doubt I'll be able to afford a .45-cal centerfire anytime soon.:mad:
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Are they fun to shoot?, why yes they are :).

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You can buy complete reloading kits from HC-collections out of France as well. They make kits for many different antique cartridge types.
 
If you search this forum, there is a detailed tutorial on making your own out of .32 short colt brass. Last batch I bought (last year) was $17 / 100 for new Winchester, you drill a two stepped hole, pop in some .27 Hilti or Ramset (green / low power) cartridges from Rona or Home Depot, and a .311 ball to top it off (with a light coat of lube, I use Lee Liquid Alox / Allox?) and hey presto! .32 Rimfire, reloadable.

rustywood.ca has cheap ball, I'm sure some other forum regulars here could cast you some or point you to a supply close to where you may be. Shipping is the worst part of buying things made of lead.

If you don't want to make them, I'll eventually put one of my kids to work making more for me, but they have huge financial ambitions and distorted ideas of the value of their labor. From preliminary discussions, I think mine are going to be priced at a point that will make you want to build your own.

Factory rounds: You could get lucky and find some at a garage or estate sale. They get bought instantly at gun shows. I think there are some advertised on the EE from time to time, expect to pay over $120 a box.
 
gunzik said:
If you search this forum, there is a detailed tutorial on making your own out of .32 short colt brass. Last batch I bought (last year) was $17 / 100 for new Winchester, you drill a two stepped hole, pop in some .27 Hilti or Ramset (green / low power) cartridges from Rona or Home Depot, and a .311 ball to top it off (with a light coat of lube, I use Lee Liquid Alox / Allox?) and hey presto! .32 Rimfire, reloadable.

rustywood.ca has cheap ball, I'm sure some other forum regulars here could cast you some or point you to a supply close to where you may be. Shipping is the worst part of buying things made of lead.

If you don't want to make them, I'll eventually put one of my kids to work making more for me, but they have huge financial ambitions and distorted ideas of the value of their labor. From preliminary discussions, I think mine are going to be priced at a point that will make you want to build your own.

Factory rounds: You could get lucky and find some at a garage or estate sale. They get bought instantly at gun shows. I think there are some advertised on the EE from time to time, expect to pay over $120 a box.
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Yeah, I had no illusions about getting factory rounds.

I think it was the Tactical870 or 870 tactical or whatever his name was, that was making the brass I was thinking about.
 
If I were in the ammunition business, obsolete rimfire ammunition would be an ideal niche market to explore. I suspect that the North American market for .25/.32/.38/.41/.44/.46/Spencer rimfire ammunition would be significant. Don't know why the Navy Arms/CBC production faded.
Given the specialty market rimfires that have been successful, like the .17s, I think that a serious reintroduction of the .25 Stevens long rimfire, along with new firearms chambered for it would be an opportunity. The cartridge is a very good one, accurate, with serious level of authority, for a rimfire.
 
tiriaq said:
. Don't know why the Navy Arms/CBC production faded.
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I sporadically hear claims that it could not be imported into Canada because the caliber was not head stamped. I presume that 22 makes it in because until recently it was the only caliber still made in rimfire. On the other hand you would think that 17 rimfire would fall under the same rules so maybe there is some other reason

cheers mooncoon
 
The biggest problem I see for makers of obsolete ammunition for antiques is that some of those antiques will inevitably blow up. Many are in poor shape. Bore diameters vary. I think shooting these things is best left to people who have the ability to build their own ammo. If they can do that, most of them can also understand the risks. Those that can't understand risk won't be loading for long, so it all works out. No lawyers get richer.

For 32 RF, there is no way to beat the .32 Short Colt / .27 Hilti-Ramset round for recreational shooting. There are several links to that in this thread. Supplies are plentiful and cheap. The process is simple. Build your own bullets, and get closer to the attitudes and spirit of the makers of these old guns! It's a hobby, it's supposed to consume some of your time and teach you something.
 
ì think they are too soft of a case... short colt is actually bras where RF is copper like. If you guys need some 32 short colt i will be able to get some. is not cheap but they are nice and brand new. will work too. I will look into some machining so will go for reloadable brass as well.
 
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