32 winchester special
- Thread starter hound2013
- Start date
I was pleasantly surprised and somewhat in awe after I cleaned up and range tested an inherited Win 94 post 64 in 32 Win Spl. She was a little rusty, the bore was dark and there were traces of leaves in the action. I figured at best, it would be a 50 yard plinker. I picked up some Hornady 165 gr FTX and fired three rounds off a rest at a small simulated deer target at 100 meters, not expecting much as the front sight covered a good chunk of the target. When I walked down range to look at the target, I was more than surprised to see a 3 shot group of 1.25 inches, all in the kill zone. I sold my BLR 308 a week later. This is going to be my go to deer rifle this fall. Funds from the BLR have me itching to buy a 45-70 
I was pleasantly surprised and somewhat in awe after I cleaned up and range tested an inherited Win 94 post 64 in 32 Win Spl. She was a little rusty, the bore was dark and there were traces of leaves in the action. I figured at best, it would be a 50 yard plinker. I picked up some Hornady 165 gr FTX and fired three rounds off a rest at a small simulated deer target at 100 meters, not expecting much as the front sight covered a good chunk of the target. When I walked down range to look at the target, I was more than surprised to see a 3 shot group of 1.25 inches, all in the kill zone. I sold my BLR 308 a week later. This is going to be my go to deer rifle this fall. Funds from the BLR have me itching to buy a 45-70
My biggest regret was selling my model 1886, manufactured in 1888, .45-70. I put a bunch of Hornady Leverevolution through it. It did some terribly mean things to the gong.
I certainly believe you as well, Bruce.
You may remember when we were shooting Rifleman's Rodeo. We shot a class known as frontier, which required a lever action rifle and iron sights
At Endako's setup, the Goat was at 300 yards, and the 10 ring was about 4" in diameter. With my 30-30, I tenned that goat a number of times over the years,
and don't believe I ever did worse than a 6, which was about 12" in diameter.
There are many tales [truthful ones] about spectacular shots made with 30-30's, 32 Specials and the like. In these days of "Magnum fever" many believe these
to be "popguns" but we who have used them, know otherwise.
Regards, Dave.
I certainly believe you as well, Bruce.
You may remember when we were shooting Rifleman's Rodeo. We shot a class known as frontier, which required a lever action rifle and iron sights
At Endako's setup, the Goat was at 300 yards, and the 10 ring was about 4" in diameter. With my 30-30, I tenned that goat a number of times over the years,
and don't believe I ever did worse than a 6, which was about 12" in diameter.
There are many tales [truthful ones] about spectacular shots made with 30-30's, 32 Specials and the like. In these days of "Magnum fever" many believe these
to be "popguns" but we who have used them, know otherwise.
Regards, Dave.
Yes, I actually brought about and originated the Frontier class of the rodeo shooting, when I was helping to run the Salmon Arm Club. I was in charge of the Rules division and I dreamed up the Frontier event! I got feedback on the suggestions and the rules we settled on were adopted by all the clubs that ran the Rifleman's Rodeo.
I had a little bead front sight on my pre 64 Model 94 in 30-30. With the 300 yard goat I put the bead on top of the shoulder of the goat and the bullet dropped into, or close to the ten ring, which was always 4 inches across.
I still have the books of the official scores and can look up the scores we made at Salmon Arm.
The Frontier event, using a cartridge designed prior to 1898, fired in lever action rifles with iron sights was my favourite event. I have the trophies in my cabinet for twice coming in second and once coming in first place, over the years of the long weekend shoot.
Just to refresh what it was all about, there were five animal shaped target with scoring rings on them. The ten ring was centered over the lung area, then went down, 9-8-7, etc.
The deer and antelope were running targets on tracks starting out at about a hundred yards. the deer angled closer and the antelope angled further away.
A bear, sheep and goat were at 200, 250 and 300 yards.
You could shoot from any position you wanted, meaning prone, standing or sitting, but no artificial rest of any type could be used, not even the cowboy hat of "Dark Alley Dan's" father!
To shoot, you took up your position on the mat, usually prone and laid out five cartridges. On command from the RO you loaded one and prepared to shoot. You had no idea which target would appear, a running target or a pop up. The three stationary targets were all pop ups and would appear for four seconds, or a running target may come.
Except for the Frontier event any hunting type rifle in any calibre legal for hunting in Alberta, with any sights could be used.
One of the many events available for the any rifle class, was the buddy class, meaning two shooters would shoot together at the same target and counted as one event. On the old score sheets I saw one where Dave, Eagleye and Bruce, H4831 buddied!
Bruce
Here is a well travelled article. I sure like my 32 Special 1950's 94. The slow twist rate likes cast bullets and some custom reloaders in the USA load some 190 grain bullets so heavy bullets within reason should still handle ok with good velocity.
http://www.levergun.com/articles/special.htm
http://www.levergun.com/articles/special.htm
just picked one up today for 575 .00 with a box of shells but if you seen it was in mint condition worth the money action is tight and the wood has no scratches on it what so ever i think i got a good deal what do you guys think just from what i told you >>>>> thanks hound 13
I got a Marlin 336 (made in '52) from the father-in-law of a friend a couple years ago.
It came with 140 rounds of ammo, case, sling. I paid $200 for it. "Waffle-top", not drilled and tapped
Great rifle, I get groups under 2" @ 100 m with it on a regular basis. Williams receiver sight and a 1/16" gold bead out front.
I think Marlin quit chambering the 336 in .32 Spec in 1953
It came with 140 rounds of ammo, case, sling. I paid $200 for it. "Waffle-top", not drilled and tapped
Great rifle, I get groups under 2" @ 100 m with it on a regular basis. Williams receiver sight and a 1/16" gold bead out front.
I think Marlin quit chambering the 336 in .32 Spec in 1953
okcorral1881
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- East of Toronto
If you are looking for a nice shooter there is a nice old one (reblued) from 1906 on the EE now. (H4831)
Dorian Gray
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Just saw that. Looks like a beauty.
- Location
- Golden Lake
Sounds real nice, Basil! Last time I was in the Country Depot in Eganville they had several boxes of .32 Special cartridges.
thanks pete ill check it out im going to reload some higgisons sending me the full length die set looking forward to trying it out on wensday when i cut the grass at the camp >>>> hound 13
