.224-32 FA
Encyclopedia
The .224-32 FA is a proprietary cartridge
designed in 2009 by Freedom Arms, Inc.
for use in their Model 97 revolver
. The .224-32 FA was designed to provide a high-performance .22 caliber centerfire cartridge that would work in a revolver, and is capable of taking varmints and predators up to the size of coyotes.
case through a sizing/forming die so that it will accept a .224" diameter bullet
, then trimming the case down to a 1.115" to 1.120" overall length. Additionally, the new case will need to be fire-formed
, possibly even 3 to 5 times depending on the load used, before the case is fully formed. Once the case is fully formed, the maximum powder capacity will be achieved and therefore maximum power loads can be used. Freedom Arms cautions that using maximum power loads in a case that is not yet fully formed will result in higher chamber pressures when the gun is fired. Case life is said to be in the 10 to 15 shot range before the primer pocket becomes stretched to the point of being unusable.
Cartridge (firearms)
A cartridge, also called a round, packages the bullet, gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the firing chamber of a firearm. The primer is a small charge of impact-sensitive chemical that may be located at the center of the case head or at its rim . Electrically...
designed in 2009 by Freedom Arms, Inc.
Freedom Arms
Freedom Arms is a Freedom, Wyoming-based firearm manufacturing company, known for producing powerful single-action revolvers. The company was founded in 1978 by Wayne Baker and Dick Casull to produce the Mini revolver then later a revolver chambered in Casull's powerful .454 Casull chambering. ...
for use in their Model 97 revolver
Revolver
A revolver is a repeating firearm that has a cylinder containing multiple chambers and at least one barrel for firing. The first revolver ever made was built by Elisha Collier in 1818. The percussion cap revolver was invented by Samuel Colt in 1836. This weapon became known as the Colt Paterson...
. The .224-32 FA was designed to provide a high-performance .22 caliber centerfire cartridge that would work in a revolver, and is capable of taking varmints and predators up to the size of coyotes.
Firearms chambered for .224-32 FA
Currently (2011) there is only one factory chambered firearm in .224-32 FA, the Freedom Arms Model 97 revolver. It has a six shot cylinder, adjustable rear sights, and barrel lengths available in 4¼", 5½", 7½", and 10".Availability
Currently (2011) there is no commercially available ammunition for the .224-32 FA, meaning it has to formed and loaded by hand. The process begins by running an empty .327 Federal Magnum.327 Federal Magnum
The .327 Federal Magnum is a cartridge introduced by Sturm, Ruger and Federal Cartridge, intended to provide the power of a .357 Magnum in six shot, compact revolvers, whose cylinders only hold 5 rounds of the larger .357 Magnum cartridge...
case through a sizing/forming die so that it will accept a .224" diameter bullet
Bullet
A bullet is a projectile propelled by a firearm, sling, or air gun. Bullets do not normally contain explosives, but damage the intended target by impact and penetration...
, then trimming the case down to a 1.115" to 1.120" overall length. Additionally, the new case will need to be fire-formed
Fire forming
The term fire forming in firearms refers to the process of reshaping a metallic cartridge case to fit a new chamber by firing it within that chamber...
, possibly even 3 to 5 times depending on the load used, before the case is fully formed. Once the case is fully formed, the maximum powder capacity will be achieved and therefore maximum power loads can be used. Freedom Arms cautions that using maximum power loads in a case that is not yet fully formed will result in higher chamber pressures when the gun is fired. Case life is said to be in the 10 to 15 shot range before the primer pocket becomes stretched to the point of being unusable.