Reloading .32-20 suggestions

[BARgunner]

I’m getting ready to reload some .32-20 for a modern Single Action with a 4 3/4” barrel using a 100gr FNRP hard cast bullet. I have Unique, True Blue, 2400, Enforcer and W231 available. I’d prefer to use the W231 or True Blue and want to keep it around 900 to 1000fps. I haven’t found much in the way of load data that isn’t for use in a rifle. In the past, I’ve used Enforcer which is very similar to 2400 and wasn’t particularly impressed with the results.
Any suggestions on the listed powders, preferably W231, True Blue or Unique?

 

[dwh]

You can’t go wrong with 3.2-3.5gr of 231. I save the 2400 for my 32-20 rifles.

 

[gwpercle]

This is from the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual #1
32-20 Handgun - Ruger Blackhawk - 7 1/2" bbl.
bullet - RCBS 32-115-FN ... this data is for a 115 gr. bullet
it will be safe to use for the 100 gr. bullet , you will have a few more fps with the lighter bullet ... but will be safe load .

231 powder

starting load - 3.5 grs, 231 @ 737 fps

maximum load - 4.0 grs. 231 @ 845 fps

Hope this info helps you get started shooting that fine revolver !
Load Safe,
Gary

 

[Green Frog]

Is your “modern” SA a Ruger or one of the Colt clones? Strength of these designs varie a lot.
Froggie

 

[BARgunner]

Is your “modern” SA a Ruger or one of the Colt clones? Strength of these designs varie a lot.
Froggie

It’s a Cimarron Arms Single Action. It’s the same size as their .357 Mag and 45 Colt. It should handle a stout load in .32-20.

 

[Model19man]

I use Unique, AA#5 and W231 in my 32 WCF reloads. All work very well.

 

[Model19man]

Reloading info here:

Reloading The .32-20 Winchester - Reload Ammo

 

[BARgunner]

Reloading info here:

Reloading The .32-20 Winchester - Reload Ammo

That will do. Thanks!

 

[rockquarry]

I've use many powders in the .32-20 with cast bullets of 90 - 117 grs. in weight. Best powder for accuracy has been Unique, but it's never worked well in my powder measure. I'm out of Unique and I'll buy no more even if it becomes easy to find again. I'll do load development with some other powder like 231 or something similar. Accuracy is more important to me than other considerations. No real need to use jacketed bulets in this cartridge, though they will work.

 

[Model19man]

I've use many powders in the .32-20 with cast bullets of 90 - 117 grs. in weight. Best powder for accuracy has been Unique, but it's never worked well in my powder measure.

With one of these you won't spill any powder and it works well with all of them including Unique:

Lee Precision, Inc. - Auto-drum Powder Measure

 

[LoboGunLeather]

A few things to keep in mind with .32-20:

1. Cartridge case mouth and walls are very thin when compared to most more modern calibers. Easy to crush or collapse a case during bullet seating or crimping. I like to use the Lyman M-die sizing, flaring, and crimping case mouths as separate operations to avoid overworking or stressing the cases.

2. Dimensions of chambers, throats, bore and groove diameters are all over the charts depending on the firearm manufacturer. Very little standardization exists. Finding the combination of bullet dimensions and die set-up can be a challenge, and what works nicely with one firearm may be disappointing in another. My old Colt Bisley SAA and Winchester 1892 might as well have been made on different planets. Both are over 100 years old so I keep everything on the mild side.

3. I noticed your comments on powders so I won't bore you with a lot of details, but I've used Unique just about exclusively in .32-20 for many years with cast bullets (113-grain RN-FP-gas check, with or without the gas checks). Many powders in the middle of the range for burn rates should do just as well in a revolver with moderate pressures considered.

4. I see nothing to be gained by pushing the upper edges for performance with this old, thin, rather delicate cartridge design originating in the black powder era.

 

[smoothshooter]

This 32-20 thread is one of the longest threads I have ever seen here.

 

[BARgunner]

I’ve got quite a bit of Unique so I’ll probably start with that and the load data provided in the link from a previous post gives me the info that I need.
Thanks for all the input!

 

[gwpercle]

If you are having trouble finding Unique ... Testing has shown me
AA #5 (Accurate Arms ) is just a tad slower than Unique ...and might be easier to find ... It should be very good in 32-20 loads .
It (AA #5) meters like water and clean burning in 357 magnum and 41 magnum lead bullet (mid-range) loads .
My local dealer had a big supply of Accurate and Ramshot powder's last trip ... I bought more AA #2 , #5 and #9 ... figured I'd get em while the gitting was good !
Gary

 

[smithra_66]

I’m getting ready to reload some .32-20 for a modern Single Action with a 4 3/4” barrel using a 100gr FNRP hard cast bullet. I have Unique, True Blue, 2400, Enforcer and W231 available. I’d prefer to use the W231 or True Blue and want to keep it around 900 to 1000fps. I haven’t found much in the way of load data that isn’t for use in a rifle. In the past, I’ve used Enforcer which is very similar to 2400 and wasn’t particularly impressed with the results.
Any suggestions on the listed powders, preferably W231, True Blue or Unique?

4 to 4.5 grains of Unique should give you what you're looking for. That's the load I use on the off chance I'm not shooting black.

You should consider a case full of 3F black powder too! My 32-20s all shoot best with the black stuff.

 

[Jebus35745]

Love .32 caliber guns and Ruger NO1’s and found a Ruger No1 Rebarreled to 32/20. Use 3.2 gr of 231 for the 95 gr SWC and 3.0 gr of 231 for the HBWC’s. Mainly shoot at 50 ft indoors with the Ruger, that’s the club we have the Tuesday morning retired guys shoot at.

Using 231 can produce accurate rounds. I mainly shoot lead bullets. May hot rod some jacketed rounds in the future. Have a Dillon 550 caliber conversion and a Lee factory crimp die for sale. Larry

 

[Model19man]

If you are having trouble finding Unique ... Testing has shown me
AA #5 (Accurate Arms ) is just a tad slower than Unique ...and might be easier to find ... It should be very good in 32-20 loads .
It (AA #5) meters like water and clean burning in 357 magnum and 41 magnum lead bullet (mid-range) loads .
Gary

I have a bunch (over 4 pounds) of Hercules Unique but I keep finding ways to use my AA #5. It's pretty decent stuff.

 

[BARgunner]

4 to 4.5 grains of Unique should give you what you're looking for. That's the load I use on the off chance I'm not shooting black.

You should consider a case full of 3F black powder too! My 32-20s all shoot best with the black stuff.

Black powder sounds interesting and I’ve got several pounds of 3F. What type of primer do you use? I would think something with a little more oomph than a standard small pistol primer. Maybe small pistol magnum or small rifle primers?
I’ve loaded BP cartridges before so it’s not something new to me and the more I think about it, the more intriguing it sounds.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

My readings over on the ASSRA forums tell me that black powder does better with the lower power primers. Mags are not needed and small pistol primers are preferred over small rifle. Many of the single shot rifles shooters using black powder will even use large pistol primers in their rifle cartridges, instead of large rifle, adding a paper punched disc of newspaper thickness under the primer to make up for dimensional differences between the two primers and to tame the force of ignition. Black powder ignites easily. Go figure... but they swear by it and win matches.
My own favorite 32-20 loads are with a 115 gr Lyman 3118 and 3.5 grs of Bullseye for both my S&W HE and my Stevens 44 and model 92 Winchester. These are more in the 800 fps range but are very accurate and easy on the brass. A good tight crimp is recommended for good accuracy.

John

 

[Model19man]

Love .32 caliber guns and Ruger NO1’s and found a Ruger No1 Rebarreled to 32/20. Use 3.2 gr of 231 for the 95 gr SWC and 3.0 gr of 231 for the HBWC’s. Mainly shoot at 50 ft indoors with the Ruger, that’s the club we have the Tuesday morning retired guys shoot at.

Using 231 can produce accurate rounds. I mainly shoot lead bullets. May hot rod some jacketed rounds in the future. Have a Dillon 550 caliber conversion and a Lee factory crimp die for sale. Larry

What size Lee FCD and how much?