.32-44 Mag, anybody tried one?

[2644ever]

Did anybody ever try to neck down the 44 Mag case in an even smaller caliber than the .357-44 Bain & Davis? It might prove interesting in a Contender barrel if I can find one in 32 H&R Mag

 

[TonyR]

QuickLoad lists a .32-44 S&W. Might be reasonable starting loads for the 44Mag version.

 

[2644ever]

Thanx Tony, however I think the actual case would have more volume than the regular 32-44...

 

[357Mag]

264 -

Howdy -

An 8 X57 reamr configured w/ a proper pilot, could be run-in "short". This avoids $$$ for a custom reamer.
The intent is to yield chamber w/ a nominal .455" base diam.

.35 Rem brass would be used, to form the new 8mm wildcat.

Approx case specs -

.455" base .429" shoulder 1.617 case oal
20*+ shoulder angle.

Est case cap w/ Hornady 8mm 150gr PSP = 33.5 gr
DID you want to go bigger capacity than .44 Mag basic brass ?

Because of case length, perhaps not the thing for revolvers; and maybe .45 ACP ( .308 bolt face ) half-moon clips geometry not compatible w/ .35 Rem rim ?. Hmm....

But... for a lever gun, or a Contender etc; it would certainly be a viable round.

A wildcat based on 8mm Lebel reamer run-in short would give a case w/ a .500 base diam, nominal .457" shoulder; and a case oal of some 1.417". .284 Win would be the parent brass ( .308 bolt face again ). Case taper would perhaps give one pause for thoughts on " bolt thrust ", but this 8mm wildcat should not be as cahllenging in that regard, as say.... a .458 SOCOM.

Just some thoughts.

Regards,
357Mag

 

[357Mag]

Correction

264 =

Correction -

Hornady's light 8mm bullet is a 123gr PSP ( I believe ).
This bullet has a comparatively short bearing surface, and would occupy only a portion of the case neck when seated.

Powder charges ( of a correct powder ) could theoretically extend up into even the lower portion of the case' necks.

Regards,
357Mag

 

[2644ever]

Thanks 357, I had considered at one time to use a shortened .35 Rem case but I would definitely trust more a rimmed case like the .44 Mag. I was thinking of short chambering a .260 Rem reamer in a .32 H&H Mag barrel, then I would long chamber a .32 H&H reamer The result would be a case with the gentle 20 deg shoulder of the .308 and a very short neck a la .357-44 B&D. Reloading and forming dies would be shortened Lee .308 Win dies. The final cartridge would be a replica of the .30 Herrett but without the hassle of shortening cases.
Do you think it might work? We'll see...

 

[357Mag]

.32-44 Mag 2.0

264 -

Howdy, again !

I DK the game you hunt, or ranges you hope to cover. Nonetheless....
But, your idea sounds feasible on the face of it.

Have you considered a .38-40 WCF, built to today's specs ?
These .40 cal's can strike a good balance between vel, bullet wt; and attainable
terminal ballistics.

Yes...a lot of the .38-40 experience has been w/ hangun-compatible ammo, esp for use in carbines or rifles to accompany a handgun of the same chambering.

What I'm suggesting is use of a fairly slow-twist barrel, to enable you to utilize heavy-heavier cast lead bullets. Sort of the large calibre/heavy bullet school
( Elmer Keith ).

Good new-era brass IS out there. And, you'd have a rimmed case.

For a smaller case ( in 8mm ), you could wildcat .351Win SL brass down to 8mm; using a 32-20 FL size die. The rim would be a modest one, but you'd end up w/
good case capacity, and a very slightly tapered, long "shoulder".
This would be for a more low-pressure round, so the cases would hold-up.

A straight .33 WIn could be used, and you would simply load-down (or up ) to
the performance level desired. For lighter loads, you might then use a filler.
It's a rimmed case, and you can form them from .45-70.

Just soem thoughts.

Please keep us posted !

Regards,
357mag

 

[JRS]

An absolutely great source of information regarding a project such as this is Gary Reeder. I have one of his guns in 41 GNR.

reedercustomguns.com

 

[2644ever]

Thanks 357 and JRS! The GNR link is fantastic!

Check this too:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20629
http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php?topic=186985.0

 

[2644ever]

Well, seems like somebody actually tried one:
http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/7073/30844.jpg
According to the post on that frog forum, the guy shoots 150 grainers of various types and gets around 2200 fps in a 24" barrel with 18 grains of Vihta's N 110

 

[2644ever]

Results a 200 yds...
http://img2.imageshack.us/img2/4049/30844group180m.jpg
The guy knows how to shoot because he used a red dot 1x power instead of a scope. The bullets were match grade fmj's pulled from .308 french military ammo intended for the F2 sniper rifle.

 

[jonbearman]

Why not enter the world of the 30-30 case conversions?

 

[2644ever]

Well John, the closest thing to that wildcat is the .30 Herrett and he'd rather spend more time shooting or reloading than trimming 100 or 200 cases whereas the .44 Mag is fully available and cheaper.