THE GUN ROOM

Nothing earthshaking here, but my chronograph records indicate that on September 23, 1993 I fired 10 rounds of Winchester .30-30 170 gr. out of a 20-inch barreled Winchester Model 54 for an average velocity of 2,104fps and 10 rounds of Winchester .32 Winchester Special 170 gr. out of a 20"-barreled Winchester 94 for an average velocity of 2,114.

Both boxes were factory fresh and purchased for the purpose of the test. The rifles were manufactured within ten years of each other. The '94 in .32 Special went hunting that fall and took two deer. Surprisingly, it gave the same exact performance as the .30-30, which is to say that deer were effectively bagged.

Here's a side-by side pic of the .32 WS [left] and the .30-30 Win cartridges, and the difference in bullet diameter is small, but noticeable.

So why am I so enraptured with this cartridge? Two reasons.

Firstly, I've never owned a .30-30-type lever rifle -- fired plenty, never owned one. It's always been a hole in my humble armory that I've wanted to fill.

Secondly, it's not a .30-30. That is to say, it may not be a common cartridge, but it is an old cartridge (1902 introduction date), which automatically gets it a respectful hearing from me. And no, it's not going to be on the shelves of every gun store in the country. Big deal.

However, the .32 WS bullet arrives at its 100-yard destination with about 1,400 ft-lbs of energy, versus about 1,300 ft-lbs for a .30-30 bullet of identical weight.

That doesn't sound like much, but for a short-range, low-recoil lever rifle cartridge, it's excellent. [By way of contrast, the .307 Win (the lever-action cousin of the .308 Win) arrives with 50% more energy than a .30-30, but with about 75% more felt recoil.]

Anyway, this is a fine cartridge, and mated with the excellent 1894 rifle, makes for a very respectable deep-woods combination.

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Message 2 of 4 in Discussion

From: spacetweennotes

Sent: 05/10/2003 17:12

Good info about the two rounds. I enjoyed reading about them.

check out my website www.bluecollarshooter.com

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Message 3 of 4 in Discussion

From:

ol_hounddog

Sent: 26/09/2004 22:38

there is a very nice shape mod. 94 in 32 win. in a shop around here for $250 old enough it doesn't have the safety stuff and like new condition... sounds like it would be fun to have one.. but I already have a 30-30 mod 94... hmmm what do you think... ol hounddog

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Message 4 of 4 in Discussion

From: Honcho

Sent: 29/09/2004 06:48

Hey, Ol Houndog,

I have a .32 Win. Spl. Lever gun, left to me by a favorite Uncle who passed away, many years ago, it is one very nice carbine! Haven't taken it out hunting yet, but it shoots very tight groups with iron sights, (and these 67 year old eyes!)

Gunrockets is right, in that .32 Win. Spl. ammo is not going to be on every dealer's shelf, but hey, that's no great shakes if you're a handloader! Brass is very easy to come by, as you can use regular .30-30 brass by simply running a fired .30-30 case into the .32 Win. Spl. resizing die, (with lube), and it will open the neck up to .32 Win. Spl.. Basically they are the same cartridge in every detail, except for the difference in caliber, but be sure you trim the cases if needed, as both caliber cases have a tendency to "grow" when sized, probably due to the long case necks on both rounds. (Case length gauges are very inexpensive, and work for both caliber cartridges). Apparently, the .32 Win. Spl. was brought out many years ago, to compete with the popularity of the .30-30 cartridge, but the .32 Win. Spl. never was very popular, even then.

What I do, when making up a batch of .32 Win. cases from .30-30, is take a black permanent Magic Marker, and cross out the .30-30 markings on the head, it will have to be renewed after a few firings. (Don't ever try to shoot a .32 Win. in a .30-30 rifle, a lever gun just is not designed as the strongest of actions, and you could be developing some serious, dangerous pressures!!!) Also, of course if the rifle has a tubular magazine, (as most lever guns are), always use flat-nosed bullets to prevent the bullet from detonating the primers of the cartridges in front of it, in the magazine.

As far as the power of these two cartridges not "making the cut" with a lot of todays "Magnum Maniacs", well, the .30-30 is STILL to this day, one of the largest selling ammo calibers at hunting season time, and has likely harvested more deer than any other! The short and light lever Carbines are still an ideal "brush rifle", in the Northeast, where long distance shots are not the norm. These two cartridges have been "getting the job done" for nearly 100 years, and will likely be around for a long time yet!

I.M.H.O.,

Cheers, Shoot Safe, Ride Safe!

Fred (Honcho)

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