I've read that 30-30 is based upon the 32-40 cartridge necked down to 30 caliber. I've also read that 32 Special is based upon the 30-30 cartridge necked up to 32 caliber. Seems like 32-40 and 32 Special should be interchangeable but they're not. Yes, I'm aware that 32-40 is a black powder cartridge and 32 Special is smoke-less. But seems like the origins have a lot in common.

Bewildering to me. Any comments?
TR :confused:

I've read that 30-30 is based upon the 32-40 cartridge necked down to 30 caliber. I've also read that 32 Special is based upon the 30-30 cartridge necked up to 32 caliber. Seems like 32-40 and 32 Special should be interchangeable but they're not. Yes, I'm aware that 32-40 is a black powder cartridge and 32 Special is smoke-less. But seems like the origins have a lot in common.

Bewildering to me. Any comments?
TR :confused:

32-40 is a tapered body cartridge while the 30-30 and 32 Special are true bottle neck cartridges. You might enjoy reading "Cartridges of the World". It gives a brief history of all cartridges, as well as, dimensional and load data.

http://www.levergun.com/articles/special.htm

A little article


Bill

Interesting posts, T.R., dodgeh2, and Broncobill86.

For all the fame of 30-30's, my kin mostly had 25-35's here in the ol' Sawtooths of Idaho. Well, except two did have .32 Specials.

In the late 30s and early 40s, an inepensive 30-30 made by Iver Johnson or Stevens or someone, with an uncheckered stock, and a butterknife bolt handle and a detachable box magazine was offered in 30-30, at lower price than any lever gun was offered and many around here bought it. It turned out rather more accurate than many lever guns as well.

When I think 30-30, an image of that old butterknife handled bolt gun comes to mind. A 25-35 is that 24 inch octagon barreled lever gun with a brass or nickle "C" based stock, looking a lot like an old "Hawkens", but named the "Winchester model 1894" comes to my mind. The .32 Special, I picture is the Winchester modle 94 Carbine with the 20 inch barrel.

Just me, I guess.

I do recall meeting a guy from Minnisota who claimed that a 30-30 was not enough gun for a moose, you needed a 32 special.

Up in Juneau, Alaska in the early 1960's, I met 3 people who had grandfathers who came up there in the rush of '98. All three prospectors had carried light 38-55 lever guns.

When I asked why 38-55, the answer was that the 38-55 was the biggest round available in a really light gun. Further, the 38-55 was ALMOST (?) as powerful as the 45-70. I thought that a bit of a hope, but I guess they did have a high speed load those days that would have matched the or even bettered the 45-70.

There were a lot of very big bears those days, up there. But they did not have air transport or motors on the river boats, and most gear was just carried on the miners backs, so I guess really light was the real answer.

Sorry for my wanderings. Thanks...