ASSRA Forum › General › Reloading the Single Shot Rifle › 32 Stevens Ideal
(Moderator Group: Moderator)
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
Page Index Toggle Pages: [1] 2  Send TopicPrint
Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) 32 Stevens Ideal (Read 10986 times)
dogkinkead
Newbie
*
Offline



Posts: 7
Joined: Jun 14th, 2015
32 Stevens Ideal
Jun 21st, 2015 at 3:07pm
Print Post  
High people, newbie to the forum here.  I'm a long time shooter and reloader, own multiple single shot rifles and recently stumbled on a fully refurbished Stevens 44 in what I think is in 32 Ideal.  Caliber markings are not on the barrel except under the hand guard there is a "32 H" stamp.  I've got some load data from this forum and elsewhere, understand the restrictions of the 44 action.  The question is does anyone have a Trail Boss load for the 32 Ideal suitable for the 44?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Adrian
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 122
Joined: Mar 2nd, 2015
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #1 - Jun 21st, 2015 at 10:06pm
Print Post  
It is not clear that the rifle is indeed chambered for 32 Ideal. Are you sure?
I have one, clearly marked, and shoot 12 grains of 4759 in it. Will also try 11-12 grains of 4227 soon.
If you have a .32 Ideal indeed, best to use light bullets, 120-150 grain, to keep pressures low and to account for the slow rifling twist. The barrel groove should be .323", so bullets in the .323-.325" range should work. 
The rule of thumb and suggestion from IMR is to see how deep a bullet would sit in the case and mark the location of the bullet base on the case. Fill the case to that level with Trailboss, weigh the charge, and that is the MAXIMUM charge. DO NOT COMPRESS that powder even a little bit. DO NOT use fillers or toilet paper or anything inside the case.
Starting load is 60% of the maximum charge. I would think that a model 44 can handle the charges of Trailboss and light bullets, but i have not tried it, have no experience with it, and i think that other powders are better (4227, 4198, 4759).
Trailboss should work. 
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
marlinguy
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

Posts: 17975
Location: Oregon
Joined: Feb 2nd, 2009
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #2 - Jun 22nd, 2015 at 9:44am
Print Post  
I'd do a chamber cast before I'd proceed with reloading the 44. Really need to be sure what you have first.
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
dogkinkead
Newbie
*
Offline



Posts: 7
Joined: Jun 14th, 2015
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #3 - Jun 22nd, 2015 at 10:12am
Print Post  
Thanks for the load data.  I'm 90 percent certain it is 32 Ideal. The dealer who sold me the rife said he 'thought' it was 32-20 and a 32-20 round will chamber but the bullet is much too small at the muzzle..which convinced me to slug the barrel and do a chamber cast.  Again, apreciate the help!
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Adrian
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 122
Joined: Mar 2nd, 2015
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #4 - Jun 22nd, 2015 at 10:18pm
Print Post  
Here are dimensions, to compare your chamber cast. It's in millimeters, you can find conversion engines online. Don't buy expensive full size dies for this cartridge, they will over work the expensive brass and squeeze way too much. Best to use shortened 8x57 mm Mauser dies, neck die for sizing cases. The .32 Ideal is 45-ish millimeters, so you need to shorten 8x57 dies by 12-13 mm to make them work. But its wise to get a chamber cast first.
« Last Edit: Jun 22nd, 2015 at 10:23pm by Adrian »  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
slumlord44
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 2850
Location: Lebanon, Illinois 62254
Joined: Dec 21st, 2007
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #5 - Jun 22nd, 2015 at 10:36pm
Print Post  
Is it an aftermarket barrel? Stevens always marked the 44 barrels with the chambering to my knowledge. Is the barrel marked Stevens?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
dogkinkead
Newbie
*
Offline



Posts: 7
Joined: Jun 14th, 2015
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #6 - Jun 23rd, 2015 at 3:51pm
Print Post  
The diagram looks very close to my chamber cast, I have no problems using metric measurements.  The barrel is marked as Stevens A&T Co with a patent date of Apr 17 94 on the top flat.  It has obviously been refinished and there is no caliber marking.  The extractor is 7 o'clock.  I've got some cases made by a gentleman, actually a pastor, in Texas that measure up and some properly sized lead bullets from the same source.  I was just hesitant to use the Cartridge of the World load data based on what I know about the model 44 action.  This one is very tight, locks up firmly.  Thanks for all the responses, I will proceed with caution..huh, wonder if my brother in law is willing to shoot it first.  Just kidding.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
dogkinkead
Newbie
*
Offline



Posts: 7
Joined: Jun 14th, 2015
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #7 - Jun 23rd, 2015 at 4:22pm
Print Post  
Adrian, how do I get a rim from using 8mm Mauser brass?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
uscra112
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 4079
Location: Switzerland of Ohio
Joined: May 7th, 2007
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #8 - Jun 23rd, 2015 at 4:46pm
Print Post  
You aren't using 8mm Mauser brass, just the die to neck size the case.

The parent case for making .32 Ideal brass is the 5.56x50R.

Or you can buy from Rocky Mountain.   

I do use an 8mm sizer with a special tool to do intermediate sizing of the 5.56x50R case when making my own.

Using the 32359 mould (120 grains approx) my starting loads are:   
Blue Dot = 8.0 grains, 
AA #7 = 8.5 grains, 
AA#9 = 9.5 grains, 
AA 4100 =11.0 grains.  
Caution: all these are less than 50% fill.  Guard against double charges!

These are all calculated in Quickload.  I have actually fired only the Blue Dot load.   None exceed a calculated 10,000 psi., and should yield 1400 fps or thereabouts.   A decent 44 action can handle half again that pressure with ease.  
« Last Edit: Jun 23rd, 2015 at 5:03pm by uscra112 »  
<div class=
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
dogkinkead
Newbie
*
Offline



Posts: 7
Joined: Jun 14th, 2015
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #9 - Jun 23rd, 2015 at 5:16pm
Print Post  
OK, now I understand.  The cases I have are formed from 5.56x50R.  Great tip to use the 8x57 die to neck size.  Again, while I've been reloading for quite some time and several wildcats, this 'old stuff' is all new to me.  Thanks.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
dogkinkead
Newbie
*
Offline



Posts: 7
Joined: Jun 14th, 2015
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #10 - Jun 23rd, 2015 at 5:23pm
Print Post  
Unfortunately I won't be able to use any of this information for a couple of weeks yet.  I had heart surgery on 04/17 and still need some healing time before I start messing with the presses again.  Still the advice and information given is greatly appreciated.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
marlinguy
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline


Ballards may be weaker,
but they sure are neater!

Posts: 17975
Location: Oregon
Joined: Feb 2nd, 2009
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #11 - Jun 23rd, 2015 at 8:00pm
Print Post  
At least by the time you can get back to reloading, you'll have things sorted out well! Good luck on your recovery! I'm on hold for awhile also, as I had hernia surgery yesterday. I'm already going stir crazy on day two! Smiley
  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Hi-Wall56
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 204
Location: Banks of the Brazos River
Joined: Feb 11th, 2011
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #12 - Jun 23rd, 2015 at 8:37pm
Print Post  
Question, where do you find the 5.56x50 R?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Adrian
Full Member
***
Offline



Posts: 122
Joined: Mar 2nd, 2015
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #13 - Jun 23rd, 2015 at 8:51pm
Print Post  
Hi-Wall56 wrote on Jun 23rd, 2015 at 8:37pm:
Question, where do you find the 5.56x50 R?

Huntington Die Specialties may have some. Easy to google.   

all of you, i hope for speedy and complete recovery

yes, i was referring to using the 8x57 dies, i ordered cases from Rocky Mountain Brass, and i had some inherited with the rifle. 
i also have the 32359 bullet mold, shoots well, it was made for the .32 Ideal
Neat caliber.
BE CAREFUL ABOUT DOUBLE CHARGES. 
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
uscra112
Frequent Elocutionist
*****
Offline



Posts: 4079
Location: Switzerland of Ohio
Joined: May 7th, 2007
Re: 32 Stevens Ideal
Reply #14 - Jun 23rd, 2015 at 9:03pm
Print Post  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
  
<div class=
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: [1] 2 
Send TopicPrint
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
 
  « Board Index ‹ Board Top  

ASSRA Forum » Powered by YaBB 2.6.12!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2026. All Rights Reserved.

Valid RSS Valid XHTML Valid CSS Powered by Perl Source Forge

Page completed in 0.9408 seconds.