I was looking at the .224 TCM semi-auto
and remembered how Bob Baker spoke of a .257 cal. version of his .224-327FA. But I never heard anymore of it.
The .257 on the TCM would be nice but I think it only needs about half to 2/3 of the current neck length.
This is an interesting website for looking at strange things and pondering.
https://collectibleammunition.com/product/25-flea-wildcat-r-p-32-auto/
Bob is a smart businessman and if his 224/32 didn't do as
well as he planned I imagine he dropped the 257/32 while he was ahead. There have been times thru the years when one or more of my custom calibers didn't get the interest I had expected so I dropped them before spending the normal $2500 to get a new caliber going.
There seems to be a drop in interest for tinkering
In the 1950's a guy might totally rework a military rifle or target accurize his 1911 or revolver in his garage. It seems not near as many guys are interested in the old things. Doomed to relearn history the hard way.
The .22 cal. is probably the best option for that platform. The .30 has already been done (.30 Luger). Last I heard of that was John Taffin playing with an extra barrel on a foreign based Ruger P85. It barely made a ripple. Sometimes fun just costs too much. I'd like to try the TCM some day, maybe.
I had a FA in .224-327 and much to Bob's cringe I used .32 H&R brass to make cases. I did it in one easy pass with no trimming and didn't ruin near as many cases. I think that case might have more merit than the .327. The H&R case is easier to fit in a Single-six chassis as well.
One of my regrets is not playing with your .30-.357 as an option to the .300 GNR. It really makes sense.
You are talking about our 321 GNR, a 357 necked down
to 32. With an 80 grain bullet we are getting almost 2300 fps and that is fine for varmints or other small game. in the pic the 327 Fed is on the right and the 321 GNR on the left. The 321 GNR loads will get up to 800 fps over the 327 Federal.
![[image]](images/uploaded/202501092101386780393288e15.jpg)