32-20 Pistol Loads

[Kinman]

After doing my research I've built up two different loads that I will be testing at the range in a few days for a full report for those that might be interested. The first is for the 85gn Hornady JHP, I used 7.5gn of Lil-Gun and small magnum pistol primers...should be good for 1,050fps and a low enough chamber pressure to keep the cylinder intact.
The other is a Meister bullets 115gn RN/FP, 5.0gn Unique and small magnum pistol primers...should be in the 900fps area with again a lower chamber pressure. I figure this 115gn bullet should be very close to the current Winchester loading although they use a 100gn RNL bullet.
I will value any informed warnings about the values and pressures of the above loadings, I do not want to damage this old pistol. It is in excellent working order with a very shiny bore and cylinders. I have only fired one full box of factory Winchester 100gn bullets through it and the pistol performed very well. Thanks...

 

[W.E.G.]

Skeeter Skelton recommended 3.5 grains of Unique behind a 115 cast lead "pill."

According to Quickload, that should push it at about 750 fps from my four-inch Winchester Model.

I've found no reason to look for any other load.

 

[Kinman]

Thanks for your reply, I have the advantage of being able to shoot anything that seems too hot in my 1892 Winchester. I think that anything Skeeter recommended would be "nuff said", especially in the pistol department. Thats probably a perfect target load and thats about all I'm ever going to be interested in doing with the old pistol. I was in the process of working up a load that would be a good 100yd gopher getter for the '92 and at the same time be able to use in the S&W...a compromise if you will. I'm not into cowboy action although I have heard the 32-20 has become popular with some of those people due to low recoil. I enjoy shooting both the rifle and pistol in 32-20, its relatively inexpensive to shoot and from my limited experience quite accurate.

 

[jag22]

I'm not a big fan of lead so I stick with the Ranier 100 grn plated.
I use a couple of different loads because I do want to take it easy on the pistols but the Win 92 and Rem 25 can take a much stronger charge. Usually AA#5 or #9 because it measures so well. I use Lee powder dippers and its really easy to get an accurate load with those powders.

 

[holeysocks]

jag22.. I had ignition problems with the Ranier 100 grn plated and 7.0gr AA#9 and CCI 500 primers,,, you had anything like that