32-20 Reloading

[Plutonius]

I have both a 32-20 Hand Ejector Made in the 1930s and a Winchester 1892 chambered in 32-20 made in 1911. I will be handloading this cartridge and want something hotter than the HSM cowboy action loads that I purchased before. From some of the loads that I have read about I believe 4.5gr of W231/HP-38 under a 115gr Lead RN bullet should be good for both of these pieces.

Anyone else have any loadings they used with W231?

 

[Alk8944]

Check your post in 1899-1961.

 

[Warren Sear]

... From some of the loads that I have read about I believe 4.5gr of W231/HP-38 under a 115gr Lead RN bullet should be good for both of these pieces...

According to the Lyman Cast Bullet Manual, Fourth Edition, for that caliber using that weight bullet (Lyman #311008), the maximum powder charge is 3.8 grains of 231 at 905 fps. No pressure data is given.

Heavier loads are listed for rifles only, but none of them use 231 powder.

I use Unique in my old Colt revolver in that caliber.

 

[Frank46]

Lyman markets two bullet molds for the 32-20. #3118 is a 115 grain plain based bullet, the 311316 is approximately the same weight but is a gas checked bullet. I've used 2400 and 4227 preferring these two over the faster pistol powders. Frank

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The rifle is inherently stronger than the revolver. Revolver has fixed sights, rifle sights are adjustable. For one loading to serve both pieces I recommend:

1. Stick with the handgun loading data as max for both.
2. Slower burning powders will give much better performance in the rifle than the fast burning powders. I would be looking more toward Unique, Herco, or similar than I would at Bullseye, 231, HP-38, etc.
3. Slug your barrels. Significant differences in bore and groove diameters can be expected (my .32-20 Colt Bisley Model is .316 while my Winchester 1892 is .312). Cylinder throats and forcing cone in the revolver may also present some issues. Some compromises will probably be required.
4. Fixed sights on the Hand Ejector would lead me toward developing a load that shoots to point of aim with the revolver. The Winchester's sights provide some adjustment so the same load should be workable, whereas approaching the problem the other way around (developing a rifle load, then trying to make it work in the revolver) would likely be more difficult.
5. Be sure and order the Lyman M-die for case mouth expansion for the lead bullets. Makes this part of reloading much easier, more precise, and less likely to leave you with a bunch of damaged brass from trying to seat lead bullets (.32-20 brass has pretty thin necks and walls, damage easily).

I've been working on a similar project in recent months, involving a Marlin 1894 rifle and a Colt Single Action, both in .44-40. Marlin has a groove diameter of .429, Colt's is .426". Using moderately soft cast bullets sized .427", loaded to bring POI nearest to POA in the Colt, and the same load relies on discharge pressures to "bump up" the bullets when fired in the Marlin rifle.

These projects are some of the most interesting parts of shooting older guns and reloading for them.

 

[Fauquier]

See the 32-20 sticky under the Reloading section of the marlinowners.com forum.

 

[Plutonius]

Shot my loads I used for my 1892 out of the 32-20 Hand Ejector. Recoil was very similar to a .38 Special Hand Ejector. No signs of overpressure.

Loads were 4.5g Hp-38