broken_arrow wrote on Sep 24^th, 2013 at 9:23am:


Converting it to .32 Long CF seems a less extreme option, & changing the firing pin strike less work than sleeving the barrel.

This is what for many years I've thought of doing with my own #4 in .32RF, but have always had too many irons in the fire to undertake.

a couple more ideas, because I sort of accidently got a .32 rf myself. The first idea is in case the 2nd doesn't shoot well. 
1. I think it would take very little turning or polishing the OD of a 5/16" diameter liner to get it to slip into a .32 bore. You could then glass or loctite it in place as is often done by folks who re-line drilled out .22 barrels. The extractor would need rework or replaced but the firing pin location may not. The reason I suggest this is the originality has not been permanently defaced if down the road some one wanted to return it to it's original configuration. Note that I have not tried this so it just another wild idea I came up with.
2. What I actually did is similar to the method suggested by bisaacson but varying in that I press fit the 22 blank and thin the rim so with correct headspace I have about .020" protrusion of the blank beyond the rim. That way I don't have to orient any thing with the firing pin. This does require that the firing pin hit a 22 rim centrally located which mine does (Rem model 1-1/2), don't know if other models or manufacturers will do that. I load with CCI blanks and 3F Goex and a Lyman 299153 bullet that a guy on Gunbroker sells. I have it shooting 1-1/8" 5 shot groups at 25 yards which is not benchrest good but plenty good for plinking/FUN.  My bore is so bad the only positive thing I can say is the hole goes all the way through, but yet it still shoots. 
Most folks will certify you are a real "crank" if you are shooting a .32 rf, well maybe the term they use is "certifiable"
kootne

Don't raise your expectations too high--when I shot my #4 (mint bore & tang sight) with that lousy Canuck ammo, I found that any target much smaller than a wash tub at 50 yds was safe from injury.  Those big, slow, slugs do make a most pleasing crash when they hit anything.

You can keep your "originalness" by locating a spare breechblock to convert to CF so you can change it back to sell as manufactured. Use .32 Long Colt brass. Heeled bullet molds are available from Accurate. Fun. 

BS-ing anyone? Short range BPCR? I often see .32 RF rifles in good shape going reasonably priced, cuz I think most folks think it's an expensive relining that's needed to go shooting.

Since I own several single shot and repeating rifles in .32 RF, I've tried everything to see what works best.
First off my results with the Cannuck .32 RF ammo was much different than Redwing's. My Marlin 1891 and 1892 have beautiful bores and at 50 yards they shot groups of just over .5" My Ballard #2 in .32Long also shoots Cannuck very well, but with not as good a bore, the 50 yd. groups were closer to 1".
I also have the adapter cases to use .22 blanks to fire in a .32 RF chamber, and although they shoot pretty well, they don't match the fixed ammo groups from Cannuck. Another issue they have is the blanks sticking in the adapter cases after firing. The ends open up, and even with a good fitting punch, it's a PITA to get the empty cases out for reloading. I gave up on these, as it takes the fun out of shooting when reloading is a hassle.
Fortunately all of my guns have dual firing pins (repeaters) or reversible firing pins (Ballards) so I shoot them with .32 CF more than RF.

Well, I ordered one of the Dixie cases just for the fun of it. I'll see how that works.
Does anyone know where I can find the specs for 32rf short, 32rf long, and 32rf extra long cases?
I have tried every search that I can think of and come up empty every time.
Thanks for the replies,
Dave

Those are the specs., but often you'll find that chambers are worn, throats are a little long, and besides, manufacturers had their own ideas about what worked best. I've seen bores from .3065" to .315, and chamber diameters and lengths that varied, too, so I just work with what's there and fit the cases and bullets as necessary. If you have more than one, keeping track of things is kind of a PITA, but using fitted ammo usually works out pretty well for both accuracy and case longevity. You won't be bored...