Introduction to the .32-40 Ballard
The .32-40 Ballard (also known as .32-40 Winchester) is a rifle cartridge introduced in the late 19th century. It was initially developed for use in single-shot rifles but later found its way into lever-action rifles as well. Despite its age, it has continued to be a favorite among target shooters and hunters for more than a century.
Origins
The .32-40 Ballard cartridge was introduced around 1884. The Ballard Rifle Company, originally established by Charles H. Ballard in the 1860s, developed the single-shot rifles that first used this cartridge. By the 1880s, Marlin Firearms had acquired the rights to produce Ballard-pattern rifles and continued their production. The cartridge was designed specifically for Schuetzen (offhand) target shooting, a sport that was immensely popular in the late 19th century.
The .32-40 offered a 165-grain lead bullet propelled by 40 grains of black powder, delivering moderate velocity and excellent accuracy. The name follows the standard 19th-century naming convention: .32 caliber bullet over a 40-grain black powder charge. Unlike many hunting cartridges of its time, the .32-40 was built with precision shooting in mind from the start.
Development
The .32-40 is a bottlenecked cartridge with a .321-inch diameter bullet. It gained wider recognition when Winchester Repeating Arms adopted it for their Model 1885 High Wall rifle, introducing the cartridge to a broader audience of marksmen, hunters, and competitive shooters.
The biggest boost to the .32-40's popularity came in 1895, when Winchester chambered it in their famous Model 1894 lever-action rifle. This was the first time the .32-40 was used in a repeating rifle, and it greatly expanded the cartridge's appeal. Despite the introduction of more powerful cartridges like the .30-30 Winchester, many shooters still preferred the mild recoil and pinpoint accuracy of the .32-40 for medium-range shooting.
Cartridge Specifications
- Bullet Diameter: .321 inches
- Case Length: 2.13 inches
- Rim Diameter: .506 inches
- Neck Diameter: .343 inches
- Base Diameter: .424 inches
- Maximum Overall Length: 2.59 inches
- Typical Bullet Weight: 165 grains (lead), 170 grains (smokeless loads)
- Original Black Powder Velocity: ~1,350 fps
- Smokeless Powder Velocity: ~1,700 fps
- Muzzle Energy: ~670-1,100 ft-lbs (depending on load)
Schuetzen Shooting
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Schuetzen matches were the pinnacle of precision rifle shooting. Competitors fired at 200-yard targets using iron sights, and the .32-40 was a dominant caliber. Notable gunsmiths such as Harry M. Pope and Adolph Niedner crafted custom .32-40 barrels capable of extreme accuracy. Many of these gunsmiths hand-lapped their barrels and used specialized lead bullet designs to maximize performance.
Rifles Chambered in .32-40
Several historically significant rifles were chambered for the .32-40:
- Marlin Ballard Rifles (No. 6-1/2 Rigby, No. 8 Union Hill, and others)
- Winchester Model 1885 High Wall (single-shot target rifle)
- Winchester Model 1894 (lever-action repeater)
- Remington Hepburn Single-Shot
- Stevens Model 44-1/2 Target Rifles
- Savage Model 1899 (limited production)
Reloading and Modern Availability
Today, factory production of .32-40 ammunition is extremely limited, with small manufacturers like Buffalo Arms Company offering custom loads. Handloaders keep the cartridge alive, often forming cases from .30-30 Winchester brass. Common powder choices include IMR 4198, 4227, Unique, and Trail Boss (for reduced loads), with muzzle velocities ranging from 1,300-1,700 fps depending on powder type and charge.
Enduring Legacy
The .32-40's popularity waned as more powerful and modern cartridges were introduced in the early 20th century. However, it has never completely faded away and remains a favorite among certain groups of shooters. The .32-40 is still popular in black powder cartridge silhouette competitions, where shooters appreciate its accuracy and mild recoil. In the world of black powder cartridge shooting, the .32-40 is still highly regarded.
The .32-40 Ballard is a cartridge with a rich history, dating back to the late 19th century. Although it is no longer produced on a large scale, it continues to enjoy a dedicated following and remains a symbol of an earlier era in firearms history.
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