.32-20
- Thread starter PuertoRican
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M E Morrison
Member
It's not big enough for my tired old eyes to be sure, but the rifling looks a bit strange...... 
OP
PuertoRican
Member
Supposed to be factory loading.
OP
PuertoRican
Member
HSM, Stevensville, MT. 100 grain JHP
M E Morrison
Member
For starters how far down the barrel did it travel ?
If only an inch or so it could have been only a primed case.
If only an inch or so it could have been only a primed case.
OP
PuertoRican
Member
Revolver is 4" barrel - slug stopped about 1/2 way - couple inches.
Check the bore for a ring. It may have happened before.
Thanks next question are you the one that tried to fire it ? And did it sound odd ?
OP
PuertoRican
Member
No ring in barrel. I fired it. No unusual sound. It was first time I shot it. Seemed kinda quiet but ammo & revolver type are both new to me.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Can't help but I would note that when I was shopping for a 32-20 I saw MANY revolvers (S&W and Colt) with bulged barrels. Way more than any other caliber.
OP
PuertoRican
Member
That's a nice looking 1899 .32-20.
Insufficient propellant is my guess as to cause.
I'd recommend not shooting any more of those factory loads in that old girl. You may also want to pull a few of the factory bullets to check on their powder levels and contact the mfg. Best to use some mild cowboy action loads in it; JMHO. -S2
I'd recommend not shooting any more of those factory loads in that old girl. You may also want to pull a few of the factory bullets to check on their powder levels and contact the mfg. Best to use some mild cowboy action loads in it; JMHO. -S2
In one that old I'd stick to lead bullets only also.
Seemed kinda quiet ...glad you checked
OP
PuertoRican
Member
Thanx everybody for the help. BTW she's serial number 2207.
Alk8944
US Veteran
"Can't help but I would note that when I was shopping for a 32-20 I saw MANY revolvers (S&W and Colt) with bulged barrels. Way more than any other caliber."
Art Doc has made a very legitimate observation. Over the 60 or so years I have been shooting the vast majority of bulged barrels I have seen have been .32-20 revolvers with S&W being more common than Colts. The only reason I can see is the cartridge is long and thin and commonly uses very small charges for its volume. This results in poor ignition, even with factory ammunition. My own 6 1/2" !902 1st change has a bad bulge right at the barrel lug. I bought it that way about 1963 for either $12.50 or $15.
The best way to to avoid a "squib" is to hold the revolver muzzle up when cocking it to settle the powder at the rear of the case and around the primer. The second thing is do not shoot jacketed bullets in your gun! Two reasons for this. One, a stuck bullet from a squib can be a dirty B-Kitty to remove from the barrel, lead bullets are easy! And, two, S&W revolvers made before WWII were made of much softer steels than after the war. Jacketed bullets will wear these barrels far faster than lead bullets will!
My favorite caliber is .32-20, I have about a dozen all together. No, I have never had a squib! I don't load fast powders like Bullseye that use a small volume charge, and I have always made a point of cocking the gun while pointed up as mentioned above! I have fired probably 30,000 rounds from my .32-20s, 99%+ handloads, and probably not more than 2-300 rounds with jacketed bullets. Most of those have been through my 1894 Marlin.
Art Doc has made a very legitimate observation. Over the 60 or so years I have been shooting the vast majority of bulged barrels I have seen have been .32-20 revolvers with S&W being more common than Colts. The only reason I can see is the cartridge is long and thin and commonly uses very small charges for its volume. This results in poor ignition, even with factory ammunition. My own 6 1/2" !902 1st change has a bad bulge right at the barrel lug. I bought it that way about 1963 for either $12.50 or $15.
The best way to to avoid a "squib" is to hold the revolver muzzle up when cocking it to settle the powder at the rear of the case and around the primer. The second thing is do not shoot jacketed bullets in your gun! Two reasons for this. One, a stuck bullet from a squib can be a dirty B-Kitty to remove from the barrel, lead bullets are easy! And, two, S&W revolvers made before WWII were made of much softer steels than after the war. Jacketed bullets will wear these barrels far faster than lead bullets will!
My favorite caliber is .32-20, I have about a dozen all together. No, I have never had a squib! I don't load fast powders like Bullseye that use a small volume charge, and I have always made a point of cocking the gun while pointed up as mentioned above! I have fired probably 30,000 rounds from my .32-20s, 99%+ handloads, and probably not more than 2-300 rounds with jacketed bullets. Most of those have been through my 1894 Marlin.
