32-20 Winchester REVOLVER

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MacDaddy

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Hey everyone,

Been a little while since I was on the forum, life has been fast lately.

I wanted to start this thread to ask if anyone has any load data for the .32-20 Winchester cartridge. All of my new reloading data books only contain information for the new Thompson centerfire competition pistol, or loadings meant for rifles. I have all the components I need to start reloading besides which powders and how much. If anyone has any data from some reliable sources it would be very appreciated!

The revolver I'm loading for is a S&W Model of 1905 4th change in which, through the forum, we deduced was probably made around 1925/26.

Thank yall in advance!
 
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Typical handbook loads will be 3 to 3.5 grains of a faster propellant such as Bullseye (or similar) and a 90 to 115 grain lead bullet. There should be many recipes on the internet. Not much risk of damage with even warmer loads as there is a lot of steel around the M&P's chambers. My old Cowboy loads were 3.7 grains with a 115 grain lead bullet, and even that was fairly mild, but enough to knock the steel plates over.
 
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The most well-known and most obvious source would be a current Lyman manual, regular version or the cast bullet version. Much safer to use reliable data from a reputable source than information obtained from some questionable Internet site.
 
Last Dec I sold a couple boxes of 32-20 to John Limbaugh for an exact same gun...A S&W 32-20 made in 1924. The ammo was Win with jacketed rounds I addressed the jackets issue with him and he said that any 32-20 made in that period was fine with most any load you would find in a reloading manual. Or even any factory loaded round. He said even the Colt SAA would be fine. .Even with rifle loads He gave me some loads he had tested but I haven't tried them all yet. He was an experimenter for sure. I should have had him make me a revolver.
 
ArchAngelCD said:
The Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook 4th Edition has data for the 32-20 with 7different powders and 4 bullets weights. Which powder and bullet are you looking to use, I'll tell you if the data is there.
Click to expand...

I have cast lead bullets (.313") that are 100 grain round nose. When it comes to powder I have no idea which one cause my load books dont say.
 
118 gr Bear Creek Supply .313 cast bullet over 4.3 gr Unique.... because that's what a heaping Lee dipper throws. I chrono'd it at 875 fps out of my 4 inch HE made in 1908.
I used to have a Contender 32-20, but sold it. I grew tired of sizing the cases differently for loading the .308 bullet. I always thought they should have made the Contender barrel .311
 
I'm running RCBS 115gr Cast / 3.5gr Tite Group but haven't wrung it out yet. Intended for 1905HE made 1906-07. Only shot a few rounds because front sight was only .059" wide. Have since made new .10" sight but not got to sight in yet.
My rifle load is 6.5 gr Unique for same bullet. I wonder how wadcutters would shoot out of 32/20?
 
I have loaded 6.7 gr Unique with a .312 85gr JHP for a 32-20 rifle and it was really accurate and fast. My rifle load for the 118 gr cast is 5.4 gr Unique. I stopped there.
 
My Lyman 51st has data for 32-20 and no designation/warning for Contender use only. My Hodgdon manual has a few loads for the 32-20 and barrel lengths are noted as 5". My older Speer No. 11 manual (oldest I have handy) shows 32-20 data with the warning "To be used with Thompson Center Contender only".

Personal rule; I don't post nor pay much attention to any load data on any reloading forum...
 
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The 32-20 I believe was the second caliber used in the Colt SAA back in the 1880's? One of my favs.

2023
Now we have Ruger Buckeye and Ruger S8 that are tanks and can get velocity up around 1400fps our of a 32-20. The T/C is also fully capable of handling hot loads.
I wouldn't use those loads with my vintage 32-20's. Since I have a couple of shooters fully capable of hot loads, I just don't like risking items that I can't replace easily and cheaply. There is no need.

I try to find at least 4 different sources that give the same or close load data for a given bullet/powder combo. I'd start with the current Lyman for Cast. I also suggest you use Handloader magazine Pet Loads articles on 32-20. Brian Pearce is very knowledgeable on the topic.

If you really want to shoot a .32 fire breathing Dragon round; go to the 327 Federal Magnum.

Have you got or can find 32-20 brass???
Everyone, everywhere are looking and finding nothing. Even Starline wouldn't take a pre-order for when/if it becomes available. Gunbroker gougers want $1.50 to $2.25 per round for loaded cartridges.

I thought I had just found ammo for a $1 per round. motocitygunshop.com. They were listed on scamdetector with it's lowest rating for legitimate. Be careful !!! If you find any at a reasonable price, I would guess it is a scam.


Prescut
 
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oddshooter said:
Have you got or can find 32-20 brass???
Everyone, everywhere are looking and finding nothing. Even Starline wouldn't take a pre-order for when/if it becomes available. Gunbroker gougers want $1.50 to $2.25 per round for loaded cartridges.

Prescut
Click to expand...

I was lucky enough to make a friend on a fb reloading group who just happened to have no need for a small box of brass he had.
 
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