32-20

[Pig Hunter]

What are the best dies to get for 32-20? Just got a Police Positive Special with a few vintage rounds. Bullets should be easy to find, dies second easiest and brass will be a chore to find. Probably will only shoot cast through it as it will only be killing steel, paper and cans. Thanks guys

 

[rockquarry]

What are the best dies to get for 32-20? Just got a Police Positive Special with a few vintage rounds. Bullets should be easy to find, dies second easiest and brass will be a chore to find. Probably will only shoot cast through it as it will only be killing steel, paper and cans. Thanks guys

Take your pick on dies; I've probably use most or all of them since 1965. Everyone makes a good product. I have no favorites, but probably have more RCBS and Redding than the others.

When you find brass, don't consider Remington and Winchester interchangeable. For some reason, the overall lengths are measurably different. If you set up your die for crimping, you have to set it for one brand or another; the same setting won't work for both.

 

[470Evans]

I load cast bullets in my 32-20s and like the RCBS Cowboy Dies. They are designed for cast bullets.

RCBS Cowboy 3-Die Set 32-20 WCF

 

[dwh]

The RCBS cowboy dies are set up for cast bullets. I’ve loaded with them for 20 years. As for the brass length rem’s are the longest. I trimmed all my brass to the shortest pieces length and never looked back. Enjoy 32-20’s are a blast to shoot.

 

[Drm50]

I just have RCBS die set and several molds Lyman, RCBS, Sacco. I would probably go with the Cowboy dies if I was buying new. I quit with Jackets in 32/20 & 25/20 a while ago. My experiences with the old Win & Marlins turned me to strictly cast shooter in these cartridges.
I have found a good load approx dupe of factory shoots best. Bullet Dia. in these old guns different from manfs. You need to see what your bore dia. is

 

[oddshooter]

Brass isn't just a chore, it's more like a job.
Chores are done in minutes and hours. Jobs in weeks, months, years.

We are all still waiting on Starline to make a run for us and the 25-20 crowd which massages it down to fit.

I take them at their word and believe Starline will eventually produce some 32-20 for us. Starline feels like a family and they have always been great to deal with. Their product is the BEST.

I haven't heard from the group that ordered from Optics Planet if they ever received their brass. OP keeps changing the delivery dates.

prescut

 

[smithra_66]

What are the best dies to get for 32-20? Just got a Police Positive Special with a few vintage rounds. Bullets should be easy to find, dies second easiest and brass will be a chore to find. Probably will only shoot cast through it as it will only be killing steel, paper and cans. Thanks guys

I use RCBS cowboy dies. They seem to work great.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I have not noticed much real difference on dies for the purposes I use. I mostly own RCBS but I have used others and have bene happy with them. As you noticed, right now 32-20 brass is hard to find. Good luck.

 

[rockquarry]

I think most dies are designed around cast bullet use for this cartridge, but probably work fine with jacketed bullets also. I purchased a standard RCBS three-die set close to forty years ago and have loaded for both handgun and rifle. I don't think the RCBS Cowboy dies were around then, but they likely work as well as the regular dies.

As with all these cartridges chambered in both handgun and rifle, I've never seen any advantage in using a jacketed bullet over a cast bullet of the right alloy that fits the gun. There's also a good chance the right cast bullet will be more accurate than a jacketed one, but use what you can find these days.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

My standard RCBS dies have been doing fine since the late 80's. I have Both a 1902 (no change ca. 1902) and a Police positive Special (ca. 1919)as well as a modern 1894 Marlin CL.
I have Lyman 310 dies as well. I recommend 115 grain RNFP cast bullets and H 4227 powder. (Unique, and Bullseye work well also!)

Ivan

 

[Green Frog]

If I were buying a set of 32-20 dies today, which I’m not since I already have several sets, I would look at Lyman for their M type expander or RCBS Cowboy dies that are also designed for use with cast bullets. Actually, since I like to use Lyman powder through the die expanders, I can be pretty casual about the sizing/decapping and seating/crimping dies I choose.
Froggie

 

[jag22]

I’ve used Rim Rock and Missouri bullets, either one is fine. I use them in pistol and rifles, there is loading info for both rounds.

 

[Model19man]

What are the best dies to get for 32-20? Just got a Police Positive Special with a few vintage rounds. Bullets should be easy to find, dies second easiest and brass will be a chore to find. Probably will only shoot cast through it as it will only be killing steel, paper and cans. Thanks guys

I've been using my Lee dies in 32 WCF for many years. A few years ago I added the factory crimp die that is shared with the .30 carbine caliber. It works very well.

Years ago I started with factory jacketed rounds but never used them. I just pulled the bullets and reloaded with 4227 and cast bullets from my local reloading store. The ones I like are powder coated 120 grain SWC's. I have Remington, Western and Winchester brass.

 

[Alk8944]

For exclusively cast bullets you can't go wrong with the RCBS Cowboy dies. For practical purposes though any makers dies will do an adequate job.

 

[Warren Sear]

I am extremely pleased with this set of Redding dies for the 32-20. I have several bullet molds of various weights, and cast my own bullets. I have a good supply of brass.

My Colt Police Positive Special was manufactured in 1911. Timing is still perfect, and the action has to be felt to be believed.

 

[DWalt]

I have used a Lee die set for many years, no complaints. But then I can't complain about any maker's dies. I have never loaded .32-20 with anything other than cast lead bullets.