Lindcott Armory Rifle · SAAMI
.32 Winchester Special
Lever-action hunting cartridge developed as a slightly larger-bore companion to .30-30 Winchester.
- Caliber
- 0.322″ · 8.179 mm
- Introduced
- 1899
- Case
- Rimmed
- Parent
- .38-55 Winchester
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1899
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Repeating Arms
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Moderate
- Case capacity
- 38 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:16
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 42,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 600 yd
- Recoil
- 8–12 ft·lb
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 2,250–2,250 fps · 22 loads
- Parent case
- .38-55 Winchester
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open .32 Winchester Special ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 8.18 | 0.322 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 8.71 | 0.343 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 10.20 | 0.401 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 14.5° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 10.72 | 0.422 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.85 | 0.506 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.60 | 0.063 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 12.35 | 0.486 | ≈ |
| Case length | 51.82 | 2.040 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 65.15 | 2.565 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .32 Winchester Special is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 22 active loads across 9 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 27 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady | LEVERevolution | 165 | FTX | 2,410 | 2,128 | — |
| Norma | Oryx | 170 | Oryx | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Remington | Core-Lokt | 170 | PSPCL | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Winchester | Super-X PP SP | 170 | Power-Point SP | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP Hunting | 170 | FP | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Remington | Core-Lokt | 170 | PSP | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Federal | Classic | 170 | SP | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Hornady | American Whitetail | 170 | InterLock FP | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Remington | Express Core-Lokt SP | 170 | Core-Lokt SP | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Remington | Core-Lokt SP | 170 | Core-Lokt SP | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Winchester | Super-X FP | 170 | FP | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Winchester | Super-X | 170 | Power Point SP | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Winchester | Super-X Power-Point | 170 | Power Point SP | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Federal | Fusion | 170 | Fusion SP | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
| Federal | Power-Shok SP | 170 | SP | 2,250 | 1,911 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
1 reloading powder listed for .32 Winchester Special, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .32 Winchester Special
12 models in the database chamber .32 Winchester Special. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Winchester introduced the .32 Special in 1899 specifically for the Model 94 lever action. The slightly larger bore (compared to .30-30) was marketed as being more suitable for cast lead bullets — allowing hunters to reload with simple equipment. Modern ballistics show minimal performance difference from .30-30 with factory ammunition. Still produced by major manufacturers and chambered in the Winchester Model 94 and some Marlin lever guns.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .32 Winchester Special use?
- .32 Winchester Special typically uses a 1:16 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .32 Winchester Special?
- .32 Winchester Special uses a 0.322″ (8.179 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .32 Winchester Special still in production?
- .32 Winchester Special is active; typical availability is moderate.
- What is .32 Winchester Special used for?
- .32 Winchester Special is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .32 Winchester Special based on?
- .32 Winchester Special is derived from the .38-55 Winchester case.
- What are the best powders for .32 Winchester Special?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .32 Winchester Special include IMR 3031.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 22 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →