Anyone know of a source for some 32-40 brass? Have a neighbor who picked up an old Marlin and needs some.


JHolland

Starline does not make, nor do they intend to make, 32-40 brass.  They do make quite nice 38-55 brass, both in 2.080" and 2.125" lengths, that reform nicely into 32-40 brass.

I used the long 38-55 brass to reform cases for my 32-40 High Wall, since it has a long chamber. In forming, the long cases stretch a bit to about 2.160" or so depending on your method of forming, and I trim them to 2.145"

Every once in a while you might find some W-W 32-40 brass for sale, but it is silly expensive!

I am in the same boat.

What is a good type and brand of FL die to form .32-40 from Starline .38-55?

Paul

Use the sizing wax very sparingly.  Otherwise it will compress and wrinkle the neck area.  Progressive, slow insertions until it's fully in - you know the drill....

I prefer .32 spl. myself, but .30-30 is almost as easy. Like marlinguy, one pass through regular sizing die, but I use Unique case lube. Done a bunch of 'em over the years and never lost a one that I recall.
What I don't have happen is the lengthening of cases mentioned above. A few thou longer, but nowhere near the 'almost' perfect length mentioned. Wonder why.

calledflier,

I believe that the lengthening of cases upon reforming occurs when you're decreasing the diameter during forming - like my 38-55 to 32-40.

If you are necking up, I think that you often get a shorter case.  Since the change in diameter isn't all that drastic going from 32 Spl or 30-30 to 32-40, the length shouldn't change much.