What are its actual dimensions in real inch decimals? Is it the same as bullets used in an 8mm (i.e., .323"), or a .32 Winchester Special (i.e., .321")? If not, why not?
Also, can a bullet designed for an 8mm (i.e., .323") be used for a rifle chambered in .32 Win Special, which are usually .321"? Just a difference of two-one-thousandths of an inch. Seems close enough to get away with. Thanks.
The .325 WSM uses standard 8mm or .323" bullets. 325 just sounds better than 323 Winchester Short Magnum.
Don't know the answer to the .32 Special questions, but I'd be very wary of using bullets even .002" oversize - particularly because the .32 Win. Special is (almost) always chambered in lever actions. You could get away with it in a stong bolt and with the right load could most likely get away with in the lever, but why try?
.002" surely isn't much nominally and to be honest you'd probably be safe enough, but what if the bore is heavily fouled? What if the bore is on the small side of spec?
I look at this stuff from a cost/benefit perspective. Any benefit to be gained by using incorrect sized bullets - because you bought 10,000 of them for $5 or whatever, is offset by the potential cost of major damage to your face.
Guns and ammo just aren't things where you want to go around deliberately mismatching stuff.
I second that! Using jacketed bullets .002" oversize is probably looking for trouble. Pressure could go up pretty fast in a standard load. If you loaded them light you might end up with one stuck in the barrel. No good either way.
what about the whole 7.62x39 deal? I have read that most ammo is loaded with a .311 bullet, and that many US Rifle companies (such as Ruger with their Mini 30) use .308 diameter rifle barrels. Now, This is just info that I've picked up on the net- no actual experience with this round- just stating what I've read. Also, there is the whole 8mm mauser(what with all their I's and J's and such) connundrum with the .318 bore and .323 bullets. I realize that both those rounds are relatively low pressure rounds, but the fact exists that people seem to be running oversize bullets down those bore sizes. And, the 32 special is a low pressure round also. Granted, the lever action probably isn't as strong as the bolt guns, but.... Something to ponder. That all said, I don't have a 32 special, and if I did , I wouldn't be out shooting 8mm bullets through it.
Flame on!
The Kaiser