Well...I got home from my business trip and I couldn't wait to "play" with the new to me Hepburn.....

Under the barrel, just in front of the forend it is stamped "32W"......

But 32-20 rounds fall into the chamber. The rim is way too big. So I did a chamber cast and I got me a 32-40!

Someone along the way must have opened it up and did a beautiful job on the extractor. Looks and works great!

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I took a piece of 38-55 brass and sized it in my 32-40 RCBS Cowboy dies as I don't have any 32-40 brass.

Comparing the measurements from the chamber cast with the formed brass.....Yup...32-40 it is. 

I slugged the bore with a 32 lead bullet and the first 8" at the muzzle is quite tight, but then the bullet nearly falls through the bore the final way to the chamber (28" barrel). Hopefully with a soft lead bullet this "choke" will offer up some good accuracy.
The slug measures .311 lands and .307 bore. 

Also, here are a few pictures of the rifle:
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Now I need to buy a .311 mold....Any suggestions on a good, tried and true mold for a 32-40?

And the groove diameter at the throat. That's the size that you'll need a bullet to fit.

Frank

Sorry about the double thread. I thought I was posting this thread to a different forum.....To reply, or view, please go to the other thread

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