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Posted By: GrouseAtHarte 32 special bullets - 08/25/22
Hello all, I recently acquired a model 94 in 32 w.s. I'm reading mixed reviews online about the validity of slugging the barrel. I'm going to handload for this rifle, mostly lead. Is there a bullet diameter these guns prefer? Thanks for any input.
Posted By: zcm82 Re: 32 special bullets - 08/25/22
For jacketed bullets .321 is all you're going to find unless youu buy something from a smaller botique manfacturer that would make them larger or smaller to order. Manufactured cast, you can get .322 and .323, but .321 is still the most common.
Posted By: GrouseAtHarte Re: 32 special bullets - 08/25/22
Thanks for the reply!
Posted By: Magnum_Bob Re: 32 special bullets - 08/26/22
The local Fleet & Farm store got in a shipment of Speer bullets within the last month or so they had 170 gr .321" flat points for $30 /100. You be gettin'er....mb
Posted By: woodmaster81 Re: 32 special bullets - 08/27/22
I use .322" in 3 rifles in 32 Special and two rifles in its fraternal twin, the 32 Remington, with plenty good results considering 60+ year old eyes of all the shooters. The mould is an ancient Ideal that originally came with a 32/40 I owned. It throws .323" diameter bullets but the only sizer I had was .322" and it fortunately the bullets work. .

It is a plain base bullet, no gas check, so velocities are kept in the 1500 fps range to lessen leading in the barrel. It is a fine plinking load and does a fair job on pests.

When I wanted to reload for a Winchester 1876 in 45/60 and a Savage 1899 in 38/55, I was able to pick up 50 round boxes of bullets at a gun show from a local caster. For the price of a good mould I bought 300 gr and 350 gr .459" and .460" bullets and 255 gr bullets in .378"-.380" diameters. I found .459" best for the 45/60 and either .378" or .380" best for the Savage.

This was a lot easier and more fun than finding and ramming a lead slug down the bore then wondering if you measured correctly.
Posted By: GrouseAtHarte Re: 32 special bullets - 08/30/22
Thanks for the insight woodmaster. I just acquired a few jacketed bullets I am going to try out. Still on the hunt for some lead in various sizes. It looks like Montana Bullet Works makes 321-323. I plan on reaching out to them.
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