Rechambering 32 rimfire to 32 s&w

W

wgitt13

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I am starting a project of converting an old 32 rimfire rolling block into 32 s&w. I was wondering whats the best way to go about it. I can’t find suitable reamers anywhere in Canada. Anyone have any ideas?
 
Last edited:
Unless you get really lucky, and find someone with a reamer, you are likely going to order one from the US. PT&G lists .32 S&W @US$176.50. With exchange, postage and taxes, that is going to scare $300.
You can get a .32ACP reamer from Amazon.ca for $89 pus $25 delivery.
 
.32 Short Colt and .32 Long Colt have the dimensions of the rimfire cartridges. Not the easiest to find or load, but the only conversion required would be the breech block to centerfire.
 
I did this with a stevens marksman in 25 rimfire to 25-10 Stevens CF
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/rim-fire-to-center-fire-conversion.2566598/

I just used a regular taper reamer to cut the chamber from .280" at the base and the mouth, to .300" at the base and .280" at the mouth. I just cut the reamer to length and marked how deep I needed to go.

You best bet would be to make a D reamer the chamber is so small and short it should be easy.

You could even set it up in the lath and bore the chamber with a slight taper, get one of the small carbide boring bars https://www.amazon.ca/Accessories-T...9169302951-B0CGRTRC9F-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

Honestly even the correct size drill bit could work.

Or go with the 32 colt cases, since they already fit. The pressure will be so low as long as the case fits in the chamber it should work. You may need to seat the bullet a bit short if you don't cut a lead into the rifling.

Don't worry about the action. Just pay attention to the bullet weight and velocity of the ORIGINAL factory round. 32 rimfire came in smokeless. I wouldn't go above a 90gr bullet at 1000fps in a 20mm long case, if you want to make a short (15mm case) then I wouldn't go above a 80gr bullet at 950fps.
 
Last edited:
I have a Stevens favorite in 32 rf, I want to do this too. I don't care if I break 1000 fps, that actually seems like a lot. I'd be happy with a 80-90gr lead bullets at 800 or 900. It would be fun to shoot grouse with a rifle that an old friend owned. He was a fighter/bomber pilot in Vietnam, an air traffic controller in the Caymans, a strip bar owner in Montreal until the HA/Rock Machine thing got out of control and he retired near me. After he passed, his wife found it and thought I should have it. I understand the little rifles limitations and wouldn't try to push it but I've looked into acorn blank cases and stuff, but 32 short or long colt cases would probably be able to be reloaded a lot of times due to the super low pressure.
 
made up some cases for 32 RF long for a Stevens favourite , has a ok bore
used an 90 gr 313 bullet ,heeled it and tapped it in with a mallet ,then pushed in the 22 CCI loud starting pistol blank ,,NO POWDER
and it achieved over 730fps
was just experimenting and was some what intrigued it went through a 2 1/2 rough board
IMG_9916.JPGIMG_0001.JPG
 
unstableryan said:
I have a Stevens favorite in 32 rf, I want to do this too. I don't care if I break 1000 fps, that actually seems like a lot. I'd be happy with a 80-90gr lead bullets at 800 or 900. It would be fun to shoot grouse with a rifle that an old friend owned. He was a fighter/bomber pilot in Vietnam, an air traffic controller in the Caymans, a strip bar owner in Montreal until the HA/Rock Machine thing got out of control and he retired near me. After he passed, his wife found it and thought I should have it. I understand the little rifles limitations and wouldn't try to push it but I've looked into acorn blank cases and stuff, but 32 short or long colt cases would probably be able to be reloaded a lot of times due to the super low pressure.
Click to expand...
Problem is, when you are gone, some poor schmuck find your re-chamber job, and thinks it will work with factory ammo, instead of purposely down-loaded ammo that fits the action.

And could take a cartridge case, or gun parts, in the face as a result.

You honestly think the folks spreading out your estate to the winds, once you die, are going to include all your warnings and limits with? I figure not!

A Stevens Favorite is barely capable of holding in a modern High Velocity .22 round, they shoot loose in very short order. Stevens went through this, chambering the Model 44 (a blown up in size Favorite action), in calibers that VERY quickly proved that they were not good choices. Read up on it.
 
trevj said:
Problem is, when you are gone, some poor schmuck find your re-chamber job, and thinks it will work with factory ammo, instead of purposely down-loaded ammo that fits the action.

And could take a cartridge case, or gun parts, in the face as a result.

You honestly think the folks spreading out your estate to the winds, once you die, are going to include all your warnings and limits with? I figure not!

A Stevens Favorite is barely capable of holding in a modern High Velocity .22 round, they shoot loose in very short order. Stevens went through this, chambering the Model 44 (a blown up in size Favorite action), in calibers that VERY quickly proved that they were not good choices. Read up on it.
Click to expand...
Engrave the action with load data?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom