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.33-40

jogn2jogn2 Member Posts: 21 ✭✭
edited June 2002 in Ask the Experts
I've got an old high wall rechambered/rebored to .33-40. where do I find loading information on it? I'm using 38-55 brass formed to 32-40, expanded to .338 - after firing I thought I could neck size in a .33 Winchester die, but it doesn't reduce the dia enough to hold the bullet. C-H doesn't have them in there die list.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks
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Comments

  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't understand why the .33 WCF sizer doesn't do the job, as that cartridge uses a .338" bullet - so it should. The only idea I can offer is to try annealing a few cases after fire-forming to restore some of the elasticity to the case mouth. It doesn't make too much sense to me, but neither does the problem ! As a last resort, if you send an unfired case (or dummy round) & a fired one to RCBS or C-H, they can make you a neck sizer. Costly, but about the only solution for a wild wildcat.

    For load developement, pick up a Powley computer (if they are still available; I purchased mine many years ago) & work up your loads from scratch, being very conservative.
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  • RossRoss Member Posts: 156 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jogn2,
    Also known as .33-47, these guns were, as you know, refreshed .32-40's, and were generally enlarged just enough to clean up the bore. The old moulds were often enlarged at the same time, and matched the gun. The correct bullet may be .333" or some other size. Since the cases were rarely, if ever, sized for sch?tzen work, the .32-40 cases were just fireformed at the first shot and loaded either fixed uncrimped, breech seated with bullet ahead of the case, or the bullet seated through a false muzzle. A single case will last almost forever. A cast of the throat may give a clue to what is needed. Are there holes in the muzzle for a false muzzle?
    In any event, the usual "slug your bore" advice will net you the best success.
    Cheers from Darkest California,
    Ross
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  • Iroquois ScoutIroquois Scout Member Posts: 930 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    jogn2,you have gotten some good advice from the other posters. However,it should be remembered that most .33-40 barrels were not recut worn out .32-40 barrels,but were originally made as .33-40's. This cartridge was the favorite of the late,great Harry M. Pope. Pope rebarreled a number of Winchester,Remington and Stevens actions with his barrles. He even made barrels for U.S. Government target rifles. One of the characteristics of Pope barrles is that they are rifled with a gain twist,this means that the rifleing starts with a slow twist that gets progressively faster as it nears the muzzle. Also, most Pope barrles have some choke near the muzzle. So,when you are checking the chamber,be sure to also check the barrel. If the barrel has some choke to it you can feel it by pushing a tight fitting patch through the bore. Check the barrel for Pope's name,it may be on the bottom of the barrel under the wood. If his name is present,you have just doubled the value of your rifle. I agree with the other posters in that I don't think that your rifle was ment to be used with fixed ammunition,but with the bullet either breech seated(look for a small stud on the side of the receiver)or loaded through a false muzzle. After the bullet is loaded then the charged case is chambered. The case held not only the powder,but also the the grease wad an over powder wad and a wad to close the mouth of the case. Many of these rifles,particularly those that loaded the bullet from the muzzle,used paper patched bullets. Best of luck with your rifle! Scout
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  • jogn2jogn2 Member Posts: 21 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The bbl slugs out at .338 - .339. It is marked under the forearm 33-40, it was originally a 32-40. It is not set up for a false muzzle - no holes in the end of the bbl.
    As the 33 win die doesn't size the brass down enough I wonder if the orginal brass was thicker than my reformed 38-55? the neck OD is .358" with a .338 bullet. the fired case is .372 - that seems a bit excessive to me?
    Anyway thanks for you comments

    Edited by - jogn2 on 06/11/2002 01:17:15
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  • rhoperhope Member Posts: 118 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think you may be on to something with your theory about the brass thickness. Cases for some of the older calibers are sometimes made of thinner brass (I assume this has to do with lower operating pressures). I don't know about the 38-55 but I have run into this problem with 38-40 cases and some 30-30 cases. If this is the problem, then a collet type sizer (which squeezes the neck in against a mandrel) might be the answer. Lee makes a collet die for the 338 Winchester which might work.

    I have also heard of "Everlasting" cases which I believe were used in some of these old single-shots. I understand that these cases were made of very heavy brass to give long case life. I am not sure if these cases required an "oversize" throat in the chamber but this might explain the "excessive" diameter of your case necks after firing.

    As for loading information - I don't know if I can help but I do have an old (1940's) loading book by Phil Sharpe which has data for a lot of the old calibers which are not in the current manuals. If I can find anything for the 33-40 I will post it.
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