Should .32, .38, & larger rimfire brass be made today?

[TTv2]

I floated this in another topic, but it got me to thinking about out of all the guns out there today that don't have brass available for reloading that can't be easily modified from existing factory produced brass it's rimfire cases like .32, .38, .41, .44 Henry and .56 Spencer that are the most affected.

I've seen videos on youtube that use cases that are "primed" using a .22 blank. This can work, but the brass is pricey and requires indexing the cartridge in the position where the hammer would drop on the .22 blank.

My thinking is if someone is willing to pay the high price for this specialty brass, they'd be just as willing to buy true rimfire brass, mix up priming compound, pack it into the rims, and have authentic rimfire ammunition for older guns. Or, for those not interested, it would give commercial ammo manufacturers a source of brass with which to work with, thus reducing much of their startup costs to offer a rimfire line.

It's certainly a niche hobby, but there's no shortage of older guns out there I'm sure people would like to own and shoot sometime in their life and do so in volume. If the brass was available I'm sure it would find interest in the CAS market by using period correct ammunition and also generate sales for gun makers in offering rimfire versions of their current revolvers and rifle.

 

[Archie]

It appears to me the limiting reason for doing or not doing (making or not making) a particular product is 'profitability'. Can enough of the commodity be sold at a reasonable price to justify the expense of making it. The outlying solution seems to be those niche companies that make a certain rare item and then sell it for an indecent price. (Select cartridge cases come to mind.)

I have no moral or principle opinion on this. I would like to see all manner of oddball items for sale. But I think some rather unlikely due to the limited demand.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I never thought that rimfire priming was as reliable as boxer primers. Correct me if I'm wrong.
If we had duds while shooting 22 lr at home on the farm, it was, well just toss it and get another.
We never felt that way about centerfire cartridges. If we had a dud with them it was a serious issue trying to find out why. Of course we didn't hunt deer with 22s either. Maybe that was the difference.

There are some antique revolvers that I would possibly buy if I could get the rimfire ammo for them, but if I can't shoot them, I won't buy them

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I floated this in another topic, but it got me to thinking about out of all the guns out there today that don't have brass available for reloading that can't be easily modified from existing factory produced brass it's rimfire cases like .32, .38, .41, .44 Henry and .56 Spencer that are the most affected.

I've seen videos on youtube that use cases that are "primed" using a .22 blank. This can work, but the brass is pricey and requires indexing the cartridge in the position where the hammer would drop on the .22 blank.

My thinking is if someone is willing to pay the high price for this specialty brass, they'd be just as willing to buy true rimfire brass, mix up priming compound, pack it into the rims, and have authentic rimfire ammunition for older guns. Or, for those not interested, it would give commercial ammo manufacturers a source of brass with which to work with, thus reducing much of their startup costs to offer a rimfire line.

It's certainly a niche hobby, but there's no shortage of older guns out there I'm sure people would like to own and shoot sometime in their life and do so in volume. If the brass was available I'm sure it would find interest in the CAS market by using period correct ammunition and also generate sales for gun makers in offering rimfire versions of their current revolvers and rifle.

In my opinion, it would make more sense for a Lyman, RCBS or Lee to make a kit for shaping, flaring and crimping rimfire heads onto cut brass tubing or cut-down common center-fire cases. It's not that hard of a process to fit a rim with an open space for primer compound to a flared tube or cut case - not too different from making gas checks - and there are already kits out there for making primer compound.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I remember a time when limited runs of 32 rim fire were made and put out for sale. They were really expensive but we could still buy them to use.
I remember in the 1980s seeing them on the shelves once in a while.
Then we always have this alternative:
https://www.ammoland.com/2017/12/32-rimfire-obsolete-round/#axzz7YBJittvQ

 

[BigBlue 94]

Ive been seeing a (relatively) lot of larger RF ammo on proxibid lately. From 25 stevens up to the 56 Spencer. Just FYI