.32-20 rifle only

[PuertoRican]

Got 2 boxes of ammo in an on-line auction. One box "Rifle Cartridges - Remington - Express RIFLE". Case stamp is "32-20" and 2 stars. Other box "Peters - HIGH VELOCITY". 2 different rounds. One case stamped "R-P 32-20WIN" Other is "REM UMC 32WCF". Help me guys what the heck do I have?

 

[dwh]

Do they all have the same exact bullet style? The rem express sounds like it's starline brass.Which Remington doesn't use. I suspect that they are reloads. Post some pictures please. Others more knowledgeable than I will be along shortly.

 

[rockquarry]

I'm far from an expert on this, but I don't think the "rifle only"/ high velocity ammo has been made since the '60s or maybe early '70s. I believe this was loaded by both Winchester and Remington with an 80 grain bullet and had a muzzle velocity of a little over 2,000 fps.

I don't know about your REM UMC ammo; that's pretty old. There are many here who know much more about this than I do and perhaps they will give you better information. I've loaded for the .32-20 for years and have fired some factory ammo. All of it, from Winchester and Remington, had 100 grain bullets and only chronographed around 1100-1200 fps from rifles.

If I had a strong .32-20 rifle (Winchester 92, Winchester 1885, or modern Marlin) in good, tight condition, I'd fire a few rounds of your ammo and chronograph it. Good luck-

 

[weatherby]

If none of the bullets are jacketed and just lead.
In a rifle or handgun you should be fine.

I agree the two starts are probably reloads in starline brass.

 

[PuertoRican]

PIX Cartridges lead. One on the left is smooth, slick. Other 2 are rough.

 

[Green Frog]

Sounds (and looks) to me like somebody put a bunch of reloads in a neat old box.

Froggie

 

[Muley Gil]

My advise is-DON'T SHOOT UNKNOWN RELOADS!!!

If you don't reload, set them aside until you do or have a friend that reloads pull the bullets and save them and the brass.

The rounds in the Starline brass, third from left, are reloads.

 

[ddixie884]

The factory ammo you have has lead bullets so should be ok in any .32-20. Of course since you bought them from the secondary market and have no info on origin you never know.......
The Star-Line has to be handloads as Star-Line only makes empty brass........

 

[Green Frog]

My advise is-DON'T SHOOT UNKNOWN RELOADS!!!

If you don't reload, set them aside until you do or have a friend that reloads pull the bullets and save them and the brass.

The rounds in the Starline brass, third from left, are reloads.

Y
^^^ This! ^^^ Since it is obvious that at least some of these rounds are reloads of unknown provenance, I wouldn't dream of shooting them in a revolver approaching 80 years of age... the time frame when the last of the Smith 32-20 M&Ps were actually built.

Froggie