.224-32 FA
| .224-32 FA | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Revolver | |||||||
| Place of origin |
 United States | |||||||
| Production history | ||||||||
| Designer | Freedom Arms, Inc. | |||||||
| Designed | 2009 | |||||||
| Specifications | ||||||||
| Parent case | .327 Federal | |||||||
| Case type | Rimmed, bottleneck | |||||||
| Bullet diameter | .224 in (5.7 mm) | |||||||
| Case length | 1.12 in (28 mm) | |||||||
| Overall length | 1.6 in (41 mm) | |||||||
| Rifling twist | 1-9" | |||||||
| Primer type | Small pistol | |||||||
| Ballistic performance | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| Test barrel length: 10" | ||||||||
The .224-32 FA is a proprietary cartridge designed in 2009[1] 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.[2]
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 be formed and loaded by hand. The process begins by running an empty .327 Federal Magnum 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.