Background: My paternal grandfather gave this rifle to his eldest son, my uncle and he just gave it to me. He doesn't know much about it other than it was his father's rifle. While looking at it closely when I got it home, the checkering looked like it was hand carved. So I looked up the serial number in Winchester's documents and according to that, this rifle was produced midway through 1899. Making this rifle a legit 123 years old at this point and in very good shape. The barrel is octagonal out to where the magazine tube attaches to it, after that it's been machined round at some point in the past.
I have a decent amount of experience with cartridges that I can find in load books and I'm comfortable with that.
None of my current books have any data for the 32-40. I've found some information on the internet, but I figured I would ask around here and see if anyone here has any significant experience with loading for this cartridge.
Dies don't seem to be a problem, they're available. Projectiles can be had or cast. Primers I already have. Powders...also not really a problem.
My first issue is I only have a single box of factory ammo. I'd rather not shoot it if I can avoid it. I think it's cool to pass a full box of ammo with the rifle when I decide to give it away to one of my son's. @eclark53520 I have removed this part of your post so I don't have to lock your thread. We have a WTF, where to find thread at the top of the page and that is the only place you can ask WTF questions in this forum. Otherwise WTF posts get locked or they would overrun this forum.. So ask WTF questions there, and we can help you with reloading data in this thread. dryflash3
The other issue is load data. If anyone has a favorite load, let me know. Also, if you have an old rifle in 32-40, share the story. Enjoy hearing them.