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Post by missionary on Apr 14, 2022 6:04:34 GMT -7
Been investigating this cartridge a little. Maybe someone here has used one and reloaded it.
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Post by Bullshop on Apr 14, 2022 10:46:40 GMT -7
Well Sir ya got me, I have never heard of a 32-44 S&W. I have seen several S&W 38-44 heavy duty Outdoorsman revolvers. Those were before the 357 mag. They were 38 special revolvers built on the big N frame so would handle hellaciously heavy loads. Phill Sharp used them to develop the 357 magnum "" THE MOST POWERFUL HANDGUN IN THE WORLD "" Sound familiar? I get a kik out of reading Phill Sharps book and how he describes the unbelievable tremendous power of his baby the 357 magnum.
A 32-44 I have never heard so much as a whisper about.
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Post by missionary on Apr 14, 2022 11:30:17 GMT -7
Looks like SW was the only one to go that route A straight wall actual .32 heel slug. May be SW only chambered the #3 New Model in it. 32 HR brass can be used to fireform the brass.
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Post by Bullshop on Apr 14, 2022 12:15:16 GMT -7
So it was a center fire not a rim fire ?
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Post by Bullshop on Apr 14, 2022 12:19:08 GMT -7
Oh I see it was in the break top S&W. Still never heard of it till now.
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Post by missionary on Apr 14, 2022 15:31:37 GMT -7
I was stunned at first to read it was a straight wall and not the 44WCF necked down. Why they called it what they did baffles me still unless the 44 references the revolver frame.
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Post by Bullshop on Apr 14, 2022 16:30:24 GMT -7
Well it wouldn't be powder charge and I doubt bullet weight.
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Post by missionary on Apr 14, 2022 18:30:33 GMT -7
From what I have found either a RB gallery load or a 75 grain pointed cast target load over 10 grains BP was standard.
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Post by Bullshop on Apr 14, 2022 21:05:43 GMT -7
Sounds like something I would like to play with. Our Stevens model 44 in 32 S&W long is one of the most just for fun shooting rifles I have ever used. It makes me feel like a kid again. The Stevens boys rifles were so prolific at one time but sadly long gone. When my age was in single digits they were still quit common. The 1915 was likely the most common and they were perfectly suited for their purpose as a boys rifle. They were the right size and price range. My Dad hated seeing them because when he was a kid a friend of his died from a gut shot inflicted on himself while cracking walnuts with the buttstock. He and his crew members did use one to shoot rabbits along the Erie Lackawanna tracks in winter when they drove the old International on the tracks to clean switches of snow and ice. Skinning rabbits was one of my winter chores when Dad got home from work with a gunny sack full of cottontails.
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Post by missionary on Apr 15, 2022 3:05:39 GMT -7
We have never had a Stevens Model 44. I think we still have a Crack Shot. Maybe one day.....
That is how I view the 32-20. Plain fun! A 115 FN grainer chugging along at 650 fps akes good "wabbit" wackers.
Or if needed can have some heavy hitting by loading one of the "special cartridges" I always carry. Same cast but "coated" and moving along at 1300+.
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Post by shootist---Gary on Apr 15, 2022 12:52:30 GMT -7
Back in 1968, I bought a Stevens Model 44 1/2 .22 target rifle for my sister to use in high school rifle club. I paid $116 for it, & it had an extra butt stock in very nice Burl Walnut. As I didn't need it, in 1975, I sold it at a gun show for $140. One of many mistakes made back then, selling something so I had money to buy something different.
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Post by Bullshop on Apr 15, 2022 13:40:28 GMT -7
The Stevens model 44 1/2 is the large frame Stevens and is about as strong as a Winchester 1885 High wall. The model 44 1/2 is a true falling block where the others like the model 44 and smaller frames are rolling blocks. The 44 1/2 is the model that brings the highest prices because its potential chamberings are not limited by pressure like the model 44.
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