what defines a "worn" .32 Special barrel?

[Argonaut]

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I will soon aquire a M94 in .32 special. I have read that because of the slow twist that they don't shoot well once the barrel is somewhat worn. But how would "worn" be defined? This rifle has been used for deer hunting but the barrel appears fine.  My plane is to shoot mostly cast bullets in it. I can slug the bore and Make a sizing die exactly . 001 or .002 or even .0015 over size, (I have access to the necessary machine tools to do this).   I would still be using jacketed bullets to hunt with though.

So you guys that own and shoot .32's I would really appreciate your input on this.

[Old Time Hunter]

Doesn't the .32WS in a '94 Win have a 1-16 twist? That is generally considered pretty fast. Regarding wear, wait till you completely clean it (use something to get copper fouling out, I'm sure there is some in there) and test it at the range. If you can not maintain groups, provided it is not operator error, you might need to have the barrel slugged to check for excessive wear. Took over 18k rounds in my '94 BB .375 to even start to show wear scallopping.

[Lloyd Smale]

I would have to say it would be a rare incidence indead to find a 32 that has been shot so much that the barrel is actually wore out.

[TNrifleman]

I would have to say it would be a rare incidence indead to find a 32 that has been shot so much that the barrel is actually wore out.

Lloyd makes an excellent point. Frankly, very few deer rifles are ever shot enough to wear the barrel out.

[Argonaut]

Thats sort of what I figured, Deer hunters by and large are not rifle shooters. And the ones that do get in alot of shooting time don't usually shoot Model 94's or 336s either. So I am not really worried about the bore too much. though the last time I saw the rifle, was a couple of years ago. My wife is buying it for me for a gift. because I mentioned to my friend I would like to have it if  he ever got rid of it. Now he is a rifle nut but likes the really high speed stuff. He got the Model 94 as a gift from an Admiral he knows, and I don't think he ever even shot it. 

I always wanted a Model 94 in .32 Spl. and this one is a pre 64 on top of that.  A sportsmans warehouse just opened two miles away and they carry RCBS .32 Spl. Dies and Bullets, 170  gr FP's, but no brass or ammunition. I did think that was odd as they carry lots of different callibers, but hey wally world may have it, they had REM .222. Not a problem either way because I can make them from they large amount of 30/30 I have on hand.

 I just have to be carefull not to jam a .32 in sheeps clothing in my 336T.  Which by the way is a damned accurate little carbine, and I have the m39 100th anniversary model that is exactally like it down to the length, only slightly thinner. and of course the square bolt.

[mt3030]

I inherited a Marlin model 36A (3 rd Variation) mfg in 1946. I know its barrel wasn't shoot out, but the use of old corrosive primers sure took their toll. Still shoots both factory and handloads into 3 moa, so can't complain. If it goes larger I will have it rebarreled to same caliber.

[Rick Teal]

If it slugs at a little over .321, you may be able to shoot 8mm (.323) bullets in it.

[Johm D M]

I would consider it worn if it has variations in it when you slug it, ie loose spots versus tight.