32-40, 33-40, 33-47

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32-40, 33-40, 33-47

Post by andym79 » 15 Aug 2016, 9:17 pm

Okay guys I apologise in advance, cause here I go again.

More on the weird and wonderful cartridge possibilities of Andy's world!

I am considering building a 32 or preferably 33 calibre single shot rifle based on either a Martini (I think it would need to be one of the enfields in 303 as I don't know if the 310 cadet action would be suitable, please chime in and tell me otherwise, I really hope so they are more common and cheaper), Ruger 1 or High wall action.

The 32-40 (essentially the same piece of brass the same as a 38-55 or 30-30 case) is meant to be like the 38-55 a potentially very accurate cartridge. I read how a century ago the 32-40 set records for paper punching and that harry pope a very notable gun enthusiast, had great success with a wildcat of his the 33-40. Which is simply a 32-40 chamber with a .338 groove diameter, but it must be breech seated rather than using fixed ammo. The 33-47 is the 32-40 chamber opened up to the 33 cal so that fixed ammo can be used.

The questions I have are:

1. does anyone shot a 33-47, if so please share all you know about it.

2. I can get a 33-47 reamer from Pacific tool, the the 33-47 reloading die are however a much bigger problem. I could either buy or form brass (more likely) to 32-40 and then fireform it in the chamber to the 33-47. CH4d however only make 33-40 dies, would these work or would the portion of the neck nearest to the mouth be undersized for the chamber and split after a few firings?

Am I crazy has anyone else walked in to this territory or am I suggesting something that no living man has created?

As far as I know all the three actions I have listed wouldn't need too much modification.
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Re: 32-40, 33-40, 33-47

Post by Tripod » 15 Aug 2016, 10:02 pm

You and I should get together to talk these things, Can be done on a Cadet action, An 8x40 is another option.
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Re: 32-40, 33-40, 33-47

Post by Noisydad » 15 Aug 2016, 10:11 pm

A nice meaty project for sure if you're into the process rather than the event. Crazy? Probably - but if you like it, then do it. You're a long time dead.
There's still a few of Wile. E Coyote's ideas that I haven't tried yet.
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Re: 32-40, 33-40, 33-47

Post by andym79 » 16 Aug 2016, 5:47 am

So you guys reckon that it would work a martini cadet action?
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Re: 32-40, 33-40, 33-47

Post by Tripod » 16 Aug 2016, 9:38 am

andym79 wrote:So you guys reckon that it would work a martini cadet action?

I have seen Cadet's in 30-30, 32 Special, 8x40, 303, 44Mag and many more. A Cadet action will handle it as long as you can get the cartridge around the curve of the loading block. Remember when you start putting a decent size cartridge in a little Cadet they do start to get very lively. One bloke I know fired one shot out of his 44mag Cadet before returning home to fit a decent recoil pad.
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Re: 32-40, 33-40, 33-47

Post by Tripod » 16 Aug 2016, 10:06 am

There is actually a beautiful 32-40 Martini Cadet on Usedguns at the moment
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Re: 32-40, 33-40, 33-47

Post by Tank » 17 Aug 2016, 12:11 am

.357 is a great option as well.
Have seen a conversion to 7.62 x 39....that's right....rimless. Using a 303 barrel.
What's wrong with just sticking to .310?
It's a great fun little cartridge.....quite accurate if the bore's in good shape.
What sort of shooting are you looking to do with it?
Regs,
Tank.
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Re: 32-40, 33-40, 33-47

Post by Tank » 17 Aug 2016, 6:37 am

Tripod wrote:There is actually a beautiful 32-40 Martini Cadet on Usedguns at the moment

Amazing what can be made of the little Martini!
That is really something though. What a find!

But in answer to Andyms original questions...
I would say the Martini is easily the most affordable option presented and in the calibres mentioed....also the sensible option.
So....
1 - No....and I doubt anyone living has.
2 - Not sure.
3 - Nah....you're not crazy! A searcher....but not crazy.
Last edited by Tank on 17 Aug 2016, 6:49 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: 32-40, 33-40, 33-47

Post by Tank » 17 Aug 2016, 6:54 am

A mate of mine has one chambered in 300 blk, I've posted pics of it on here somewhere.[/quote]

What a great option!
Bringing a 130(ish) year old design new life!
16" barrel and a 'muzzle break'....set like a jelly!
Regs,
Tank.
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Re: 32-40, 33-40, 33-47

Post by Gamerancher » 17 Aug 2016, 7:58 am

>32-40 was a very popular target round in the late 1800's. Have a look on Guns International and you'll find some very nice old target rifles in that calibre. Plenty of Martini actioned ones from Europe.
As for being first......Nah.
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