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only1shot
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32 long information.
Jul 20th, 2017 at 6:02pm
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    Hi all:
I am looking at a Winchester Low wall chambered in 32 Long centerfire. Is it possible to re-load for this cartridge? 
I have heard of people using 32 Long colt brass for this purpose.  What size bullets would it take. Could round balls be used? Looking at cartridge specifications, the 32 Colt rim looks quite a bit larger than the 32 long.
I would not want to purchase a rifle that I can't shoot. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
    Bill.
  
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jy3855
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Re: 32 long information.
Reply #1 - Jul 20th, 2017 at 7:59pm
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I think that you will find that bore dimensions will vary widely among old rifles chambered for the 32 L centerfire.  The cartridge was similar to a 32 Long Colt, and yes, you should be able to reload 32 LC for a 32 L centerfire.

I believe that originally, the 32 L Colt had an outside lubricated bullet of diameter of approximately .311-.314" and a case diameter of similar diameter. At some point, and those with more historical knowledge than I can provide more info here, the cartridge became one with an inside lubricated bullet of approximately .298" with a hollow base with a relatively thin skirt that would (should?) blow out upon firing to fill the bore and grooves of the barrel.

There are bullet molds available that cast a bullet with a reduced diameter heel to fit inside the case, and a larger ~groove diameter forward of the case to fill the bore/grooves.

Tom at Accurate Bullet Molds can cut you a heeled mold of proper forward diameter to fill the grooves in an odd-sized barrel.

I have a Ballard No. 2 in 32 L that I reloaded for with a heeled bullet and 32 LC cases.  The groove diameter of my barrel is .308" and reloading was not too problematic.  However, the bore is toast in that rifle, and I will have it relined and rechambered to 32 S&W Long, for which there are ample bullet molds and brass.

I have relatively little experience with the 32 L, so I expect that others here will have much more helpful information for you. 32 L barrels can certainly be rechambered for 32 S&W L if the rifle is not original and has lesser collector's value.
  
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Rebel
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Re: 32 long information.
Reply #2 - Jul 20th, 2017 at 8:17pm
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FWIW, make sure it's centerfire before you buy it.
Aaron
  

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Cat_Whisperer
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Re: 32 long information.
Reply #3 - Jul 20th, 2017 at 10:00pm
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I have a Favorite (1915 I think) that is in 32 L (rim fire).  The 32 S&W will not chamber but the 32 LC will chamber.  Ok, I may or may not ever get to it, to change the block to CF.  Then, of course, is the issue of strength and the loads.
  

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rgchristensen
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Re: 32 long information.
Reply #4 - Jul 20th, 2017 at 10:49pm
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    I shoot both the 32 Long CF and 32 Long RF with good success.  The trick is to get appropriate diameter heeled bullets, otherwise, it is just a matter of tinkering.   E.g., a 32 Wesson RF shoots good enough that you can plink at a tennis ball at 50 yd and hit it often enough to keep you interested.
     If the rifle has a reasonably nice bore, get it, and make a cast of the chamber to see what is the biggest heeled bullet that will chamber in it, and what the case length has to be.  Then get a suitable mould, and you are in business.   No special dies, etc are required.  Prime and charge the cases, and stick bullets in them.
     There remains the problem of finding 32 Colt cases.  They CAN be made from 32 S&W, but it takes about 10 operations on each case, from turning the web, sizing, trimming, turning the necks, etc.  Resist the temptation to vandalize an old rifle by re-chambering it just to hear it go "bang" a few times.

CHRIS
RGChristensen
  
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uscra112
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Re: 32 long information.
Reply #5 - Jul 21st, 2017 at 2:40am
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This gentleman will fix you up with brass and bullets for your .32 Long Colt.  He also posts here from time to time.

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marlinguy
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Re: 32 long information.
Reply #6 - Jul 21st, 2017 at 11:48am
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I shoot a fair amount of .32 Long and have a couple Ballard rifles in this caliber. I have used .32 Long Colt cases for decades and they work great! I cast using an old Ideal tong tool with mold for .32 Long bullets. It drops the correct heeled bullet in a weight that works for these old slower twist rates.
I've also used round balls for close range plinking and found they shot pretty good out to 50 yds. I coat the ball with Lee liquid alox and sit it on the case mouth after priming and charging the case. About 3.0 grs. of Unique makes a nice little plinker load.
  

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RoyB
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Re: 32 long information.
Reply #7 - Jul 23rd, 2017 at 6:12am
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This might help. Article I wrote for single shot exchange magazine
  

Roy B
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uscra112
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Re: 32 long information.
Reply #8 - Jul 23rd, 2017 at 6:26am
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BTW my rifle load is 2.0 grains Bullseye with the 90 grain bullet.  Still nicely subsonic from a 24" barrel, and very quiet.   

2.3 grains Unique about the same, but shoots dirty.
  

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Re: 32 long information.
Reply #9 - Jul 23rd, 2017 at 2:19pm
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I have used the same components and equipment as marlinguy but have used plumbers teflon tape wrapped around bullet as lube, not messy, but will have to try lee alox as it sounds fairly easy to use.  Krag
  

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only1shot
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Re: 32 long information.
Reply #10 - Sep 20th, 2017 at 4:46pm
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    Hi all:
  Well, I finally purchased the Winchester 1885 low wall. When I did a cerrosafe chamber cast, I was pleasantly surprised- the barrel is chambered in 32-20 WCF! It has a new 6 groove barrel liner.
  Now, I need to purchase reloading dies. Does anyone have any recommendations? I plan on only loading cast bullets.
  I see that RCBS has cowboy action dies for reloading lead bullets. Would these be a good choice? 
  I have 4 pounds of Trail Boss powder that I would like to try. I plan on loading in the 800 fps range or thereabouts. I will not be breech seating. This will be used for 30 yard and 100 yard paper punching from a bench. Just fun shooting, no competition.
  I am open to any suggestions. 
       
               Thank you,
                    Bill.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: 32 long information.
Reply #11 - Sep 21st, 2017 at 8:48am
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RCBS cowboy dies are great, but so are a number of die sets. I've used regular RCBS for years with no problems.
  

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Re: 32 long information.
Reply #12 - Sep 21st, 2017 at 4:52pm
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If you go over to the Cast Boolits forum, somebody on Swapping & Selling was offering a set of dies, brass, and a mould recently as a package deal, IIRC.

Froggie
  
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