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Old 08-14-2024, 09:33 PM
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LoboGunLeather LoboGunLeather is offline
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A few things to keep in mind with .32-20:

1. Cartridge case mouth and walls are very thin when compared to most more modern calibers. Easy to crush or collapse a case during bullet seating or crimping. I like to use the Lyman M-die sizing, flaring, and crimping case mouths as separate operations to avoid overworking or stressing the cases.

2. Dimensions of chambers, throats, bore and groove diameters are all over the charts depending on the firearm manufacturer. Very little standardization exists. Finding the combination of bullet dimensions and die set-up can be a challenge, and what works nicely with one firearm may be disappointing in another. My old Colt Bisley SAA and Winchester 1892 might as well have been made on different planets. Both are over 100 years old so I keep everything on the mild side.

3. I noticed your comments on powders so I won't bore you with a lot of details, but I've used Unique just about exclusively in .32-20 for many years with cast bullets (113-grain RN-FP-gas check, with or without the gas checks). Many powders in the middle of the range for burn rates should do just as well in a revolver with moderate pressures considered.

4. I see nothing to be gained by pushing the upper edges for performance with this old, thin, rather delicate cartridge design originating in the black powder era.
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