The 32-20 cartridge - how many reload this?

[bedbugbilly]

Please excuse me if this is a dumb question . . .

I'm new to reloading and am just getting started in reloading 38 specials . . . since most of my revolvers are either 38s or 357s

Today, I was out "Smith hunting" . . . found a pristine Model 36 snubbie that followed me home. A good day!

Anyways . . . in the past, I've passed on several nice vintage Colts that were chambered in 32-20 primarily because I know that ammo is scarce for 'em in my area. Today, while "Smith hunting", I saw several vintage Smiths chambered in 32-20 that were decently priced (not sure of the models). So . . . I'm wondering. . . . how many out there are reloading the 32-20? For those that do . . . . are there any things to look out for, tricks, etc. or are they pretty straight forward to reload?

My Speers manual shows the cartridge and it looks like it would be a fairly easy cartridge to reload. I'd probably just do target loads and cast my own lead. Any suggestions for a good lead bullet to use . . profile and weight wise? They do warn about cylincer gap so I know that would be an important factor in purchasing a vintage revolver.

Thanks for any info or advice . . . greatly appreciated.

[bmcgilvray]

Here y' are.

.32-20 A Serious Cartridge for Relaxin'

[Alk8944]

Loading .32-20 is just like any other cartridge with a few minor differences. The differences are:

1) The .32-20 cases are relatively thin and easily damaged. Take care to not bump the case mouth against the sizing die body and you won't have this problem.

2) The .32-20 is a bottle-neck case so carbide dies are not available. You will have to lube cases, just like with any other rifle cartridge. (.32-20 is a rifle cartridge adapted for revolver use.)

3) Case lengths vary. Winchester & Star-Line are 1.275" +/-, while Remington are 1.325" +/-. You can't mix brass without problems. Remington are full length, the others are short. Why? That's what I would like to know.

4) Use rifle primers for all purposes, you will get more consistent ignition. Don't believe stories about misfires with rifle primers, it is a myth.

There is only one S&W model which has ever been chambered for the cartridge, it is correctly called the "Winchester Model". (Ref. McHenry & Roper and SCSW) Yes, there are 1899s, 1902s and 1905s with several engineering changes, but they are all Winchester Models, .32-20 Hand Ejectors on the "K" size frame, and for practical purposes identical.

My preferred bullet is the Lyman 3118 (311008). This is a nominal 115 grain flat point that closely duplicates the original factory bullet in form and weight. If you aren't going to cast there are several commercial casters that offer this for sale. If the caster you buy from offers custom sizing buy them in .313 instead of .311. Beartooth Bullets is one that offers this service, and there are others.

Fun caliber to shoot. I have been loading for it since about 1961. I have a total of 9 (I think, maybe more), S&W, Colt, a Spanish S&W copy, Cimarron (Uberti) Colt replica, and a Marlin 1894CL. You might say I like the cartridge!

You will have people tell you how hard the cartridge is to load, this is total BS, as anyone else who has loaded it extensively will tell you.

Here is a link to a very interesting article about the .32-20 by Paco Kelly on the Leverguns Forum. http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/3220wcf.htm

[jag22]

I load 32-20 for both rifle and pistol, very nice round. For a Winchester 1892 I can load it pretty strong but then back off for Colt revolvers. I originally used the Lasercast 115 grn but I'm not a big fan of lead, too smokey for me. Last several years I've used the 100 grn Ranier which is plated and I like it much better. Like most endeavors, you'll get better the more you do it. I understand the comment about dinging up the thin necks, it happens, but like I said, you'll get better with time. It's really a very nice round to load and shoot.

[bedbugbilly]

Thank you all for your kind responses and the great information! While out and about yesterday, I ran across a Smith in 32-20 but didn't look it over that well - I should have. It's at a gun shop and I'll stop back in to take a gander at it plus I can have their smith check the cylinder gap, etc. on it. I love vintage revolvers and this will give me another little "project" to study up on.

In the past, I've run across some pretty nice Colts chambered in it but never really got interested until now as I start to reload for my 38 specials. I knew it was primarily a rifle cartridge that floated over into the pistols. I have an old "Colt Clone" SAA that was made in Belgium that's chambered in it. It was given to me probably 50 years ago by my great-uncle - even has a "period" holster and cartridge belt that was "store bought". He bought it in the 1890's and carried it with him on his sales route - he was a representative for International Harvester and traveled all over the country. It's not in the greatest shape and is a "walll hanger" but I'm sure happy to have it as a remembrance of him.

I'm going to explore this further as it looks like it would be a fun cartridge and I know that if the Smith I'm going to look at isn't good enough to shoot, I'll eventually run across another one or a good Colt. I'd love to have a Colt in 32-20 to match my 1910 Colt Army Special 6".

Many thanks again - greatly appreciate the help and I'm sure I'll be back with more questions!

[tlay]

If you want bullets try Carolina Cast Bullets. They have a 115 gr. bullet that is pretty good. It is 313 in size and has a gas check.
Also be careful of some reloading manuals. Some of them only show loads for rifles, they are pretty hot for the older revolvers. My Lee manual has loads for the revolver.

[gregintenn]

I load magtech lead bullets for my S&W 32-20.

[Ivan the Butcher]

I really like my 32-20's! A good load for the old revolver is a lead 115 grain bullet like the old Ideal 3118 or Lyman's newer versions with or without a gas check (my mould if from the early 80's and has a GC). Take the bullet you are going to load and line up the crimp groove with the case mouth, mark or measure the case so that a load of Trail Boss is 1/16" below the base of the bullet (In other words- DO NOT COMPRESS TRAIL BOSS) This is a nice accurate load and is mild on older revolvers. My S&W 1902 and Colt Police Positive Special (Made 1919) both shoot very well with this load. My Marlin 32-20 will handle just about anything I can load in that case, but in my house all rounds with lead bullets are mild and the loads that are hot for the carbine are jacketed. Companies that load Cowboy Action Loads keep the volicity about 700-800 fps. These are safe for older revolvers in good working order. Just remember all S&W 32-20 revolvers were made before WWII and are about the age most people's grandfathers or older. Ivan

[DWalt]

I have been loading the .32-20 for many years, and I don't find it any different from .38 Special or .357 to load. For the last several years I have used the .313" 100 grain lead bullet from Missouri Bullet Co. My standard revolver load with that bullet is 3.5 grains of Bullseye and a small pistol primer. The average chronographed MV of that load from a 6" barrel (Colt OP revolver) is 870 ft/sec. That load is hot enough for me. Grouping is very good. I have loaded it a bit hotter, but grouping suffers.

Mixing of case headstamps is no problem if you trim them to the same length. You do need to trim them occasionally, as the case length grows after a couple of loadings. I use Lee reloading dies. As noted, carbide dies are impractical due to the bottleneck design of the case, so you must lube the cases before FL resizing. No big deal.

[mi2600]

I've picked up five S&Ws and a couple Colts in 32-20 over the years and they are enjoyable to shoot. In addition, Winchester, Remington, and several other manufacturers chambered their rifles in the caliber. But, they tend to be a little pricey for good specimens.

Reloading isn't much different from other calibers, but as noted above the necks of the 32-20 (and its little brother the 25-20) are extremely thin so you have to take more care.