Looking for alternatives for .32-20

[Ignatius]

OK, first let me say that I am a long time firearms enthusiast that is an absolute novice to reloading. I am in the process of getting set up to reload a few rifle and pistol rounds, mainly
.308 and .45 ACP.

and then...

I just inherited my grandfathers 6" M&P in .32-20 and I got about 100 rounds with it. I understand that this is a good shooting round and I plan to add her to my range bag so we can spend some plinking time together. I have done a bit of research on reloading .32-20 and it sounds like the paper thin cartridge walls are going to be something I have to watch very carefully, is anyone aware of an alternate round or cartridge setup that would also work in a .32-20.

Specifically, are there any other rounds available, hopefuly at a lower cost than $40 a box for Remington .32-20 that would work in this pistol?

and Secondly:
Would it be possible to take .327 magnum cases (or .32 long) and use those with a 100 gr bullet and a light powder loading?

Please forgive the newb questions, but I really hope to find an economical option for shooting this pistol....all suggestions are appreciated!

Ignatius

 

[scattershot]

The 32/20 is a bottleneck cartridge, so short of replacing the cylinder in your pistol, you're pretty much stuck. It would sure be cheaper to buy some cases and be careful with them than to replace the cylinder.

 

[Alk8944]

Buy your components and load it. Forget the horror stories about how delicate the cases are. While it may not be a candidate for a progressive loader it is no more difficult to load than most other similar sized cartridges as long as you take reasonable care and be sure you bell the cases adequately.

I have been loading .32-20 since 1961. When I started the rag writers hadn't started harping on how delicate it is and how hard to load. Most of the problem is strictly on paper.

 

[wiley]

Starline makes a fairly robust 32-20 case

 

[hsguy]

When I started reloading the first ammo I made was 32-20 due to the cost of loaded ammo, I had not read the horror stories of all the problems. I used Starline cases and have never had a bit of trouble, beginners luck perhaps. Give it a go.

 

[NiklasP]

32-20 is easy to reload, I started doing it at age 13, using one of the "do it all" hand tools.

I have been using Starline 32-20 cases for past 5+ years and have had no crushed cases, using Lee dies and a Lee Hand Press -- had almost none with Remington and Winchester brass. The thin brass is common to most of the old BP cartridges and gives good gas sealing even with light loads -- also requires lots less force to load than 44 Mag, 45 Colt, etc. It does require a bit of attention to getting everything lined up correctly before running 32-20 cases through any die -- excellent practice for all reloading.

Most bullet casters sell at least one 0,313 diameter bullet, often the original Lyman/Ideal 32-20 bullet (a really nice bullet) or a variant of it. Get them cast in soft lead alloy instead of hard cast. Speer also sells nice swaged 98 grain 0,314 hollow base wad cutter bullets that give nice small groups (better than 2,0 inch groups at 25 yards out of a 120 year-old revolver). Hornady also sells swaged 0,313 bullets.

Enjoy!!
Niklas

 

[haggis]

You might also want to get a Lee factory crimp die for the .32-20. Crimping action on all the WCF FCD's is radial, not axial like most crimp dies. That eliminates one of the main causes of damaged WCF cases.

Buck

 

[lebomm]

Since nobody (except maybe scattershot) has quite answered your initial question, no, there is no substitute or subload for the .32-20. The above advice is all good; go ahead and get a die set, load up carefully (as with all reloading), and shoot Granddad's piece in good health. He'll smile down on you for it.

Larry

 

[jimologist]

I have loaded 32-20 on a progressive press (Dillon 550) for years and rarely lose a case. Where you have to be careful on the progressives is not slam where the case goes into the powder die and to make sure when placing the bullet in the mouth that you follow it up to the bottom of the die. Of course while making sure your fingers don't get smashed!!

I agree the Starline is good brass but I have good luck with RP as well.

 

[Pocketfisherman]

Get a Lyman M die to bell the cases perfectly for cast bullets. Seat and crimp in separate dies, use a Lee Factory Crimp collet type die for crimping. Do that and you won't have any problems.

 

[Hondo44]

I prefer Lyman dies for ease of use and particularly their two-step expanding "M" die to keep from crushing cases when seating bullets. Try it for yourself 1st. Everyone has a different skill, craftsmanship and patience level when it comes to reloading. Only you know yours. Used Lyman dies in that caliber are plentiful and inexpensive on e-bay. Get a 3 die set.

 

[walnutred]

32 WCF is a fun handgun ctg. Why else would ammo manufacturers try to duplicate it with new ctgs like 32 H&R and whatever the other new 32 Mag is called.

 

[Hondo44]

32 WCF is a fun handgun ctg. Why else would ammo manufacturers try to duplicate it with new ctgs like 32 H&R and whatever the other new 32 Mag is called.

BINGO!!!!!!

 

[guesser]

I have never loaded 32-20 for a S&W but I started in 1956 for a Bisley Colt and now do it for four different Colts. Take your time, be safe and use the "M" die and a plain base 115 gr. bullet sized to .313. Trail Boss powder is a prime candidate for the old cartridge in the fine old guns.

 

[WHO CARES]

32-20 is very popular with the Cowboy Action Shooting group and many of them are not dedicated reloaders but rather reload in order to play their game. They seem to be able to stumble through and get a usable product. What I am saying is don't worry so much. Just do it. It ain't that tough.....

Ward

 

[2152hq]

I shoot 32S&W and 32 S&W Long in my 32WCF Colt SAA all the time.

They are as accurate as I can shoot the 32WCF round (5 1/2 bbl, fixed sites of course, 1921 mfg Colt).

They don't cause any damage to the chamber. The brass does expand a bit right ahead of the cartridge solid base because of the slightly larger dimension.

The 32 S&W can be shot and reloaded approx 8 to 10 times before they will split on the side wall from over working the brass. Sizing down that expanded brass each time you reload it work hardens it quicker than if it had gone thru a standard chamber.

Some older ballon head 32S&W cases split after 3 or 4 loading as they expanded right up to the rim. No solid base inside for extra strength.

32 S&W Long loads reloaded a few times less than their shorter counter parts for some reason. They do expand the same but have a small 'neck' portion that does not as they are up into that area of the 32-20 chamber that is tapering back down to a dimension close to the 32S&W diameter.

90gr cast SWC. Very light loads as these rounds are also shot in an early 32 HE S&W.
No problem shooting decent groups off hand at 25m.

No more junk in the chamber than seen from shooting 38sp in a 357 chamber.

Yes,,I am planning to get a set of 32-20 dies too,,just haven't gotten around to it yet. I've only had the gun for about 25 years.

 

[one eye joe]

Welcome to the forum, Ignatius. While my post is not an answer to your question I felt that it could shed some light on, and add to your appreciation of your .32-20 revolver. I found this article to be VERY interesting, despite the fact that I don't own one. I hope that you and our fellow forum members who DO own and shoot the 32-20 enjoy this article as much as I did......http://www.guns.com/re-calibrating-ballistic-history-or-my-quest-for-the-32-20-revolver.html

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum, Ignatius. While my post is not an answer to your question I felt that it could shed some light on, and add to your appreciation of your .32-20 revolver. I found this article to be VERY interesting, despite the fact that I don't own one. I hope that you and our fellow forum members who DO own and shoot the 32-20 enjoy this article as much as I did......http://www.guns.com/re-calibrating-ballistic-history-or-my-quest-for-the-32-20-revolver.html

That was a good read. the author, David LaPell, is a member of this and the Ruger forum.

Thx,

 

[Tam 3]

Invest in a comfortable set of ear muffs.

Regards,

Tam 3

 

[one eye joe]

That was a good read. the author, David LaPell, is a member of this and the Ruger forum.

Thx,

WOW, Hondo. I did not know that. He's quite the scribe. I'll be looking for more of his articles and posts to read. Thanks for the response.......