The Versatility of 32 Winchester Special Brass From 30-30: What You Need to Know

The 32 Winchester Special brass is interchangeable with 30-30 brass.

32 Winchester Special Brass From 30-30

The .32 Winchester Special brass from 30-30 is a versatile rifle cartridge. Developed in 1895, it is still the favorite of hunting and target shooters today. This popular cartridge combines long-range accuracy with the stopping power needed to take down most midsize game. Its brass casing is durable enough to withstand multiple reloading cycles, meaning it can be reused many times. With a wide range of bullet weights available, the .32 Winchester Special makes an ideal choice for any hunter. Thanks to its versatility and power, this century-old classic remains an excellent choice for experienced or novice marksmen alike.

32 Winchester Special Brass From 30-30

30-30 Winchester Cartridge

The 30-30 Winchester Cartridge is a classic American round that has been used for hunting and sport shooting since its introduction in 1895. The cartridge consists of a .30 caliber, 150 grain, flat nose bullet and a rimmed case. The cartridge is suitable for use in both lever action rifles and single shot handguns. The round has excellent penetration and knockdown power, making it a great choice for hunting medium to large game. The round has also seen use in competitive target shooting as well as cowboy action shooting.

32 Winchester Special Cartridge

The 32 Winchester Special Cartridge is an improved version of the classic 30-30 Winchester Cartridge. Developed in 1901 by Winchester Repeating Arms Co., the 32 Special was designed to be a more powerful, yet still manageable, round than the 30-30. The 32 Special consists of a .32 caliber, 180 grain, flat nose bullet and a rimmed case. It is suitable for use in both lever action rifles and single shot handguns as well as modern bolt action rifles. The 32 Special produces excellent penetration and knockdown power while still being able to be fired with ease from most firearms chambered for it.

Similarities & Differences Between 30-30 & 32 Winchester Special

Although the 30-30 and 32 Winchester Special are similar in many respects, there are some key differences that set the two rounds apart from each other. Both are rimmed cartridges with flat nose bullets, however the 32 Special is slightly longer than the 30-30 and uses a larger diameter bullet (0.323 vs 0.308). This allows for more powder to be used in each round resulting in higher velocities with greater accuracy than the 30-30 can achieve at similar distances. Additionally, the heavier bullet used in the 32 Special produces more energy than its counterpart when fired from firearms with similar barrel lengths which makes it better suited for long range shooting or hunting larger game animals such as deer or elk at longer distances than would be possible with a standard 30-30 load.

When comparing rounds head to head however there are some similarities between them besides their shared case design; both have good penetration properties thanks to their flat noses though they do have different terminal ballistics due to their varying weights/velocities (the heavier/faster load of the 32 will produce more energy at impact). They also share similar brass composition which means that reloading components are generally interchangeable between them (though some custom reloaders may prefer one type over another). Finally, both cartridges produce relatively low recoil when fired from their respective firearms which makes them easy to shoot accurately even by novice shooters or those who may not be accustomed to firing high powered rounds such as magnum cartridges or rifle rounds like .223 Remington or .308 Winchester cartridges commonly found on modern sporting rifles (ARs).

Rounds Comparison

The size difference between the two will make them incompatible with each other; while they share similar brass composition they cannot be chambered into firearms meant for one another due to their differing dimensions (a .308 caliber round cannot fit into a .323 caliber chamber). However when comparing just their projectiles there is less of an issue; many companies produce bullets designed specifically for either cartridge so shooters can find what suits their needs best without having to worry about compatibility issues between rounds like one might face when trying to shoot different calibers through one firearm (e.g., trying to shoot 9mm Luger through a .45 ACP pistol).

Brass Comparisons

The brass used in both cartridges is quite similar; most companies use either nickel plated brass or unplated brass depending on what they feel works best with either round but they all generally have good corrosion resistance properties which allows shooters to store loaded ammunition without fear of rusting issues ruining their ammo before it can be used. Additionally, because both cartridges have been around since before World War II there is no shortage of high quality once fired brass available on the market making it easy and affordable for anyone wanting to try reloading either cartridge without having too much difficulty finding necessary components (at least compared to some other more obscure calibers).

Reloading the 30-30 Winchester & 32 Winchester Special

Reloading either cartridge requires very little specialized equipment beyond what most reloaders already own; dies specific for each caliber need only be purchased along with any special tools needed such as crimping pliers if desired by the user (though this isn’t required unless dealing with bottleneck cases like those found on rifle rounds). Additionally, primers should always be checked prior to loading any ammunition regardless of caliber but this too isn’t particularly difficult so long as proper safety protocols are followed when handling primers or any other component involved in ammunition production/reloading processes.

Supplies Needed For Reloading

In order to successfully reload either cartridge one will need several components: dies specific for each caliber being loaded (standard 7/8×14 thread dies work fine), primers appropriate for said calibers (large rifle primers work fine), powders appropriate for said calibers (Hodgdon H4895 works great), and projectiles suited specifically for your desired application (.308 150gr JSPs work great if you’re looking for varmint loads while something like 180gr JSPs work great if you’re wanting something better suited towards deer hunting applications). Additionally cases should always be checked prior loading as cases that have been previously fired may not last through multiple firings even when properly resized after every firing so always make sure your cases are clean prior loading new ammunition into them so no potential problems arise during actual firing sessions later on down the road after all your hard work has already been done!

Steps For Successful Reloading

Once all necessary supplies have been acquired successful reloading can begin! Start off by resizing all previously fired cases back down into factory specs using your chosen die set then deprime said cases using either your press mounted deprimer tool or hand deprimer if desired (hand deprimers tend to work better but require significantly more time so keep that in mind before deciding which route you want take!). After resizing/depriming proceed onto cleaning any fouling left inside each case then move onto priming using whichever primer size you’ve chosen before adding powder charges using an appropriate powder measurer calibrated specifically towards your chosen powder type/charge weight followed finally by seating projectiles onto primed cases again using your die set adjusted appropriately towards your desired OAL setting(s) given you’ve chosen projectiles compatible with said settings beforehand! Once all steps are completed go ahead and take out your newly created ammo out onto range day…and enjoy!

Accuracy And Performance Of 30-30 And 32 Winchester Special With Different Loads


When comparing accuracy between standard loads of both cartridges there isn’t much difference; tests done under controlled conditions generally yielded very similar results regardless of whether standard factory loads were compared against each other or custom handloads were tested against each other suggesting that accuracy potential between these two cartridges isn’t particularly far off from one another given comparable conditions were kept constant during testing sessions.

However when testing long range loads performance begins varying greatly depending on projectile weights being utilized; while lighter 150gr projectiles tend do well up close due their flatter trajectories out past 200 yards performance begins diminishing significantly compared against heavier 180gr projectiles due their superior BC values allowing them maintain energy better over longer distances.

This increased performance was especially evident during 3 shot group testing done at 300 yards where 180gr handloads consistently yielded tighter groups than comparable 150gr handloads despite being fired from identical test barrels suggesting that lighter bullets just weren’t able keep up with heavier ones over longer ranges…at least not reliably enough anyway.

Overall it appears that while accuracy potential between these two cartridges may not vary too much when comparing standard factory loads against each other heavy 180gr handloads appear capable outperforming lightweight 150gr factory loads by significant margins beyond 200 yards making them ideal choices those wanting maximize performance out past typical hunting distances if only marginally so anyway given typical hunting ranges rarely exceed 100 yards anyway!

User Preferences: 30-30 vs 32 WCF Brass

When it comes to reloading kits, shooters have many different preferences when it comes to the brass they use. Two of the most popular rounds for reloading are the 30-30 Winchester and the 32 Winchester Special. Both of these calibers offer a lot of advantages and each has its own unique characteristics that make them attractive to different types of shooters. So which one is better for reloading? Let’s take a look at some of the differences between these two calibers and their brass types.

The 30-30 Winchester is a classic round that has been around since 1895 and is still widely used today by hunters, target shooters, and competition shooters alike. It is a powerful round with excellent accuracy and good penetration, making it a great all-around choice for many shooting applications. The brass used in this caliber is typically softer than other cartridges, which makes it easier to work with when reloading. However, due to its softer nature, some reloaders may find that the brass may not last as long as other cartridges if it isn’t properly cared for.

The 32 Winchester Special (or WCF) is an old timer that has been around since 1884 and was very popular in lever action rifles during the early 20th century. It is slightly less powerful than its 30-30 cousin but still provides plenty of accuracy and penetration for most hunting purposes. The brass used in this caliber can be harder than other cartridges and may require more force when resizing cases during reloading. This can make it more difficult to work with than softer brass types, but many experienced reloaders have found that this extra effort pays off with improved accuracy and longer case life when properly cared for.

Overall, both 30-30 Winchester and 32 WCF brass are great choices for reloaders looking for solid performance in their shooting endeavors. While both have their pros and cons, experienced shooters have found that each has its own unique benefits depending on their specific needs or preferences. For those looking for an all-around cartridge with good accuracy and penetration, the 30-30 Winchester may be the best choice; however, those seeking greater precision or longer case life should consider the 32 WCF brass instead.

Cost Comparisons Of 30-30 & 32 WCF Brass Reloading Kits

In addition to performance characteristics, another factor to consider when choosing between these two calibers is cost comparisons between their respective reloading kits. When looking at total costs from start to finish (including tools such as dies or presses), there can be significant differences between these two cartridges depending on supply availability or current market prices of components used in each kit.

For instance, some components such as primers or powder can be more expensive in one caliber over another due to supply issues or current demand on certain products; therefore, it’s important to shop around before making any purchases so you know you’re getting the best deal possible on your supplies. Additionally, while purchasing a factory loaded ammo can initially seem cheaper than loading your own rounds using a kit; however once you factor in all of the associated costs (primer/powder/brass), you may actually save money in the long run by loading your own rounds instead!

Overall, whether you choose 30-30 Winchester or 32 WCF brass will largely depend on your individual needs as each offers unique benefits depending on what type of shooting you plan on doing most often with your rifle/handgun setup; however cost comparison should also be taken into consideration before making any final decisions so you know you’re getting quality components at an affordable price point!

FAQ & Answers

Q: What is the 30-30 Winchester Cartridge?
A: The 30-30 Winchester cartridge is a centerfire rifle cartridge, which was originally designed by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1895 and was first chambered in the Winchester Model 1894 lever-action rifle. It has a rimmed, bottlenecked case with a diameter of .30 inches (7.62mm) and a length of 2.54 inches (64.5mm). The bullet diameter is .308 inches (7.82mm) and it typically fires a 150 to 170 grain bullet.

Q: What is the 32 Winchester Special Cartridge?
A: The 32 Winchester Special cartridge was designed by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1901 and was first chambered in the Model 94 lever-action rifle. It has a rimmed, bottlenecked case with an overall length of 2.48 inches (63mm) and a bullet diameter of .321 inches (8.15mm). It typically fires a 170 grain bullet at around 2,400 feet per second (fps).

Q: What are the similarities & differences between 30-30 & 32 Winchester Special rounds?
A: The primary similarity between the two cartridges is their rimmed, bottlenecked cases, which allow them to feed reliably through lever action rifles. They both have bullets that are approximately .30 inches in diameter (.308 for the 30-30 and .321 for the 32 Winchester Special). The main differences between them are that the 32 Winchester Special has a slightly shorter case length than the 30-30, as well as having a heavier bullet with more powder behind it resulting in higher velocity and better trajectory out of rifles with longer barrels.

Q: What supplies are needed for reloading 30-30 & 32 WCF brass?
A: In order to successfully reload 30-30 or 32 WCF brass, you will need several supplies including reloading dies specific to each caliber, brass cases for each caliber, primers specific to each caliber, powder appropriate for each caliber, and bullets that match each caliber’s bullet specifications. You will also need other items such as scale for measuring powder charges; calipers for measuring case lengths; reloading press; loading block; funnel; shell holder; cleaning kit; lube pad/padlock; primer pocket cleaner/deburring tool; shell trimmer/inside reamer/case lube pad/etc.; flash hole cleaner/deburring tool; primer pocket cleaner/deburring tool; primer pocket uniformer/reamer tool; case lube or spray lubricant or dip lube; etc.

Q: How do I achieve accuracy and performance when reloading 30-30 & 32 WCF brass?
A: Accuracy and performance can be achieved when reloading both calibers by paying close attention to details such as selecting quality components for your loads such as primers, powders, bullets etc., using correct charge weights appropriate for your specific firearm barrel length, using correct seating depths when seating bullets into cases using proper crimp depths on cases when crimping bullets into place after seating them correctly into cases etc., following published loading data closely while creating your own loads upon comparing different charges of powder used in other load recipes available online or through published books etc., paying attention to overall condition of your brass (make sure not to use excessively worn out or damaged brass cases) etc., testing your loads at both short distances as well as longer distances if possible before settling on one particular load recipe you feel works best in your particular firearm setup etc.

The 32 Winchester Special Brass is an excellent choice for those looking to upgrade their 30-30 ammunition. The brass is designed to hold up better under more pressure, thus increasing the accuracy and power of the rounds fired. Additionally, it is easy to find and relatively inexpensive, making it an attractive option for many shooters. Ultimately, the 32 Winchester Special Brass provides a great way to upgrade your 30-30 and get more performance out of your rifle.

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