In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Winchester Cal. 32-40

segerseger Member Posts: 58 ✭✭
edited December 2013 in Ask the Experts
I purchased some 32-40 ammunition for my Winchester 1894 made in 1929.

The headstamps on the ammo is 38-55 is this the right ammo.

I purchased it from Buffalo Arms in Idaho.


Please advise,

RAy
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • toad67toad67 Member Posts: 13,008 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    No it is not, your 32-40 is 32 caliber while the 38-55 is 38 caliber. The second number is old school and denotes the grains of black powder it held.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SoreShoulderSoreShoulder Member Posts: 3,148 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would contact Buffalo Arms and see if they make 32-40 cases by necking down 38-55. Or, it may say so in the fine print on their website.

    You could narrow down whether or not it's worth pursuing by finding pictures of 32-40 and 38-55 online such as on wikipedia, and seeing if you clearly have unmodified 38-55 rather than 32-40 ammunition made from modified 38-55 cases.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • segerseger Member Posts: 58 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    OK . Glad I asked . The rounds even look longer than a 32-40. I'll have to call them Monday see wha tghe screw-up is. The case is labeled 32-40 but the head stamps say 38-55.

    RAy
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TRAP55TRAP55 Member Posts: 8,292 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    32/40 brass can be made from 30/30, .32Win, and 38/55. I have 32/40 ammo with all these headstamps. Stick the bullet in the muzzle, if it fits, it's 32/40 made from 38/55 brass, if it doesn't, it's 38/55.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SoreShoulderSoreShoulder Member Posts: 3,148 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by TRAP55
    32/40 brass can be made from 30/30, .32Win, and 38/55. I have 32/40 ammo with all these headstamps. Stick the bullet in the muzzle, if it fits, it's 32/40 made from 38/55 brass, if it doesn't, it's 38/55.
    Well, it should almost fit but not quite. Most of it should go in but not all the way to the case mouth.

    I would open the action and stick the cartridge into the chamber with my fingers. If it goes in, it's 32-40. It should be a safe enough test if you don't close the bolt on a live round. It just won't even come close to fully chambering if it's an unmodified 38-55. Actually there's an old 33 caliber wildcat based on the 32-40 case that just might chamber but would produce dangerous pressure if fired. Most rounds have enough clearance around the neck to allow a slightly larger caliber to fit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • babunbabun Member Posts: 11,038 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Measure your ammo....
    Case type Rimmed straight
    Bullet diameter .320 in (8.1 mm)
    Neck diameter .338 in (8.6 mm)
    Base diameter .424 in (10.8 mm)
    Rim diameter .506 in (12.9 mm)
    Rim thickness .063 in (1.6 mm)
    Case length 2.13 in (54 mm)
    Overall length 2.59 in (66 mm)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,383 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes, measure.
    Buffalo Arms routinely forms cases from what is available with the same head diameter. .32-40 out of .38-55 is typical.

    It may look longer because it IS longer.
    Original .32-40 and .38-55 are slightly longer than .30-30 but Winchester seems not to bother any more.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mango tangomango tango Member Posts: 3,833 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I believe there are a couple companies making 32-40 cowboy loads! NO, 38-55 are not even close!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.