40-72 and 32-40

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Got a couple of friends who know I reload.
One has a 1895 in 40-72 the other has a 32-40.
All I have ever reloaded are the common cartridges, ie:.308,30.06,.223,22-250 etc.
I got no experience with these old rounds.
Anyone got any links to components and load data.
I have searched some on the net and can't find very much actual info.

TIA
 
The last issue of "Handloader magazine" had a pretty good article on loading the .32-40.
Kind of a tricky proposition from what I gathered, he ended up loading the lead bullets way out of the case till they would seat on the rifling.

I bet trailboss and some .32 cast bullets would be a easy combo. Just fill the case with trailboss until the bullet isn't compressing it and voila. But don't take my word for it. It is a pretty safe powder for blackpowders though.
 
I use SR4759 to great effect in the 32-40 behind a 170gr LRN bullet. Not hard to load and one of my favs to shoot. There is a reason it was *the* unmatched target cartridge for many years.

I have also loaded TB and H4198 in it, but didn't like the results compared to 4759.

I use the RCBS Cowboy dies for it and find them real good as well. My $.02
 
40-72 is a real pain to get brass for...if I recall it takes a 405 Winchester basic case to form into the 40-72. Bullets not that huge a of a deal, though a mold will be required...something in the 300 gr. range will do the trick.
 
Shooter's Choice, in Waterloo, Ontario, lists Bertram 40-72 brass at $68.95 per 20. It's a BP cartridge that uses a .406" cast bullet. Likely have to make those. There's data on LoadData.com, but they expect you to buy a subscription. Said to be very difficult to reload. I'd re-think shooting that one. Not many rifles chambered in it.
Epp's lists .32-40 ammo and brass. Uses .320" or .321" bullets. Hornady makes two .321" jacketed bullets. Data is on Hodgdon's site.
 
sunray said:
Shooter's Choice, in Waterloo, Ontario, lists Bertram 40-72 brass at $68.95 per 20. It's a BP cartridge that uses a .406" cast bullet. Likely have to make those. There's data on LoadData.com, but they expect you to buy a subscription. Said to be very difficult to reload. I'd re-think shooting that one. Not many rifles chambered in it.
Click to expand...

That round would be a challenge to load for...unless you have dies...then not really a problem at all. Tried to reload 45-75 in an 1876 Winchester about the same time I was fooling around with the 1895. Used 348 Winchester brass and sloooowly expanded the neck to 45 caliber. Cut the length about 1/10" longer then spec and fire formed...they formed to perfect overall length with just a bit of trimming. I screwed around trying to find brass for the 40...there was no Bertram at that time.
Do they sell loaded ammo as well...I remember seeing boxed Bertram ammo with bullet weights listed.
 
diananike said:
The last issue of "Handloader magazine" had a pretty good article on loading the .32-40.
Kind of a tricky proposition from what I gathered, he ended up loading the lead bullets way out of the case till they would seat on the rifling.

I bet trailboss and some .32 cast bullets would be a easy combo. Just fill the case with trailboss until the bullet isn't compressing it and voila. But don't take my word for it. It is a pretty safe powder for blackpowders though.
Click to expand...

You don't want to seat bullets out in any cartridge used in a '94. Unless you single load, the longer rounds will tie up the action, requiring dis-assembly. Had that happen with the .30WCF when a friend gave me some of his pet cast loads to try. :( For proper functioning, you must load to the same length as factory ammo.
 
Isn't the Browning 1895 a Single shot?
Or maybe he meant a Marlin 1895, in which case OAL would be sensitive.
I think the most important thing is to slug the bore as many of these old 32s were made to different target shooters specs.
 
diananike said:
Isn't the Browning 1895 a Single shot?
Or maybe he meant a Marlin 1895, in which case OAL would be sensitive.
I think the most important thing is to slug the bore as many of these old 32s were made to different target shooters specs.
Click to expand...

You are probably thinking of the 1885 which is a single shot. The winchester 1895 is a lever action.

Chris.
 
Yes Its a Winchester 1895 chambered in 40-72.

Owner has a very ancient original hand held loader for it, plus the 330 grain bullet mold. All I really need is some brass for it. Almost all of his old brass has a lot of corrosion. I see that shooters choice has brass.

We are in business.

Thanks All
 
The handloader and bullet mold are probably worth close to $200 if they are marked Winchester to a collector. That would probably buy you a nice set of .40/72 dies and then some.
 
I've found the hornady's .321" 170 gr jacketed bullets don't expand at all at 32-40 velocities. These bullets were designed for .32 special, which is a fair bit faster than the 32-40.

I have some 165 gr cast bullets from Ben Hunchak I've been using in the 32-40. Good shooting bullets. Winchester brass is available off and on.

I have experimented with a few powders. Settled on 25 gr. of IMR4064, producing 1770 fps in a 26" bbl M1894. The load fills the case to about 85%, which i like because it makes it hard to double charge by mistake. This is a light load. Necks are still smoked on the odd one, which indicates pressure is just high enough to expand the neck sufficiently for a neck/throat seal. Quickload estimates this load produces 20,000 psi peak which is very light. My rifle shoots this one well and it's a good 100 yd deer load that doesn't put much stress on old rifles.
 
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