Reloading .32-20 suggestions

[smithra_66]

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.

I've found no real difference in primers. they all light it off. I have a Model 92 that has a pretty stout firing pin, so I use standard SR for that, just to resist piercing. For my revolvers, I use regular SP or SPMs, depending on what I have.

These WCF cartridges are great because they have thin walls and bottlenecks...they seal the chamber and keep things tidy when shooting black powder. I've gone to only shooting black powder out of my 32-20s and 44-40s, just like they were designed for. they just seem to work better that way.

Edit: one other note: I've gone to "big lube" style bullets for BP cartridges, and lube them with SPG. You'll be disappointed if you shoot regular smokeless-lubed bullets with BP. After a few shots, your accuracy will fall of a cliff, requiring you to clean the barrel.

With soft bullets, a big lube groove, and proper BP lube, you can shoot the WCF cartridges all day without cleaning and without losing accuracy.

 

[BARgunner]

I’ll have to forgo the BP as the bullets I have don’t have a big lube groove and are hard cast. Back to Unique and 231. I’ll work up some test loads with both powders and see which one this revolver prefers. Lots of good advice and I appreciate the responses.

 

[BARgunner]

I worked up six loads each for both W231 and Unique and the most accurate was W231. This is the first time I've used W231 for any loads and I was impressed by how clean it burned and how well it metered from my Dillon powder dispenser. I used 100gr FPRN hard cast bullets, CCI No. 400 (SRP) primers and new Starline brass. My revolver is Cimarron Model P Single Action with a 4 3/4" barrel. The winning load was 3.7grs of W231 for an average of 769 fps. Off of a good pistol rest, I got a 5 shot 1 1/4" group at 25 yards. I'm really pleased with those results. Windage was right on the money but the elevation was low which I expected because of the tall front sight. I'll have to take it down some to get it shooting to point of aim. I hope to get that done next week. I can see where this round would be a great varmint round out of longer barreled revolver or a rifle. I can also see why there are quite a few folks out there enamored with this cartridge. I appreciate all the advice from this thread. Thanks to all of you who responded with suggestions.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

I had a Cimarron model P like yours, except with a slightly longer barrel. Mine also shot low and I had to carefully file the front sight down to correct it. I suspect they used the same barrel/front sight combo as for their 45 Colt Models, just bored a smaller hole through it.

John

 

[Green Frog]

I just found my Navy Arms/Uberti SAA 32-20 as well as my M&P 32-20 that had been “misfiled” after a gun show. I’ve about decided to thin the herd a bit, so these two may go away leaving me with just a Ruger Buckeye Special Blackhawk 32 combo. I’m finding it hard to conceive of just one 32-20 after all these years. IIRC, I got my first M&P 32-20 in the Fall of 1979! A bunch of rifles and pistols in 32-20 have passed through my hands!

Froggie

 

[Model19man]

I haven’t found much in the way of load data that isn’t for use in a rifle.

Where would you find 32 WCF load data for use in a rifle? That has to be some obscure data because I have never seen it.

 

[BARgunner]

I found it by searching for 32-20 reloading data. Most of what I found on the web was discussions for rifle loads.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

For all those interested, attached is the reloading data sheet from Ken Waters Pet Loads for the 32-20 revolver. He also notes in his article that a good crimp helps with consistency with all loads.

John

 

[Model19man]

I found it by searching for 32-20 reloading data. Most of what I found on the web was discussions for rifle loads.

Never seen that. Maybe a link would be a good idea?

 

[470Evans]

I have one 32-20, a Colt Bisley. I've tried multiple loads but is consistently shoots best with 4grs HP38/231.

 

[jag22]

The old Lee second edition has it. Separate pages for rifle and pistol. Still think it's the most useful manual I ever bought.

 

[Jebus35745]

Hey 470Evans, not much of a single action person but that Colt Bisley is beautiful. Nice shootin also, Larry

 

[Model19man]

The old Lee second edition has it. Separate pages for rifle and pistol. Still think it's the most useful manual I ever bought.

Why would anyone load for rifle when they own a pistol?

 

[jag22]

He said that all the data he was finding was for rifles. I think it's a great dual purpose round. I've got three rifles and five pistols. The rifle rounds are light enough so that if I mix them up I won't destroy any of the pistols.

 

[Green Frog]

I have one 32-20, a Colt Bisley. I've tried multiple loads but is consistently shoots best with 4grs HP38/231.

Is that 115 gr Lyman bullet you note on your target a 3118/311008? I’ve got a moderate supply of 231 and treasure my old 3118. I might still be be shooting my M&P 32-20 a little but really need a good load for my R***r SA with cylinders for 32 H&R and 32-20.
Froggie

 

[Model19man]

He said that all the data he was finding was for rifles. I think it's a great dual purpose round. I've got three rifles and five pistols. The rifle rounds are light enough so that if I mix them up I won't destroy any of the pistols.

I've searched the internet for years for 32 WCF Reloading data. I can't imagine finding any rifle information - I never have. That's why I asked for a link - I have never seen any.

 

[470Evans]

That bullet is a Lyman 311008 powder coated and sized to .312.

 

[dwh]

Reloading Data .32-20 Winchester / .32 WCF (Rifle) (Using Hornady Bullets) Metallic


Load data is subscription based but it showed up as the 3rd thing listed in my google search. Since the 32-20 is a rifle cartridge. I error on the side of caution and assume all published data is for a rifle unless stated otherwise.

 

[BARgunner]

Never seen that. Maybe a link would be a good idea?

I never saved any links that had to do with rifle loads. I was only interested in revolver loads and velocities.

 

[Green Frog]

470Evans, don’t cry, but back in the ‘70s a friend of mine found a rather doggy 32-20 Bisley Model. Back then you could get parts, but complete guns were hard to come by. Soooo, he found enough parts to convert it to a 45 Colt. I think he may even have swapped out the the grip frame and hammer. Sad, but true. However, since Fred Schmidt did the work, the finished product was a sweetheart!
Froggie