Does anyone have a data base for reloading the 32-20 with Trail Boss. It is not listed on the Hodgdon data. I have a good supply of 100gr cast RNFP (.312 dia.) bullets and Trail Boss. I loaded about 30 cases with 3.5g, but got to thinking, half of my S&W guns are early models before heat treating. The Winchesters probably are OK with it. Some of the Smiths are late production numbers, so they are probably ok. Is a 100gr lead bullet too hot of a load over 3.5grs? Do you use Trail Boss? Please share your experience.
Reloading 32-20 with Trail Boss?
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oddshooter
Member
I've tried TB in my 32-20's and got good accuracy.
Your 3.5gr should do fine in a newish shooter. Anything past 1920 should have heat treatment. I would start at 2.5gr.
I would use a gun you know will handle the 2.5 and try to get a velocity/pressure guesstimate.
You can then move higher if no signs of overpressure, like flattened primers or hard extraction.
Prescut
Your 3.5gr should do fine in a newish shooter. Anything past 1920 should have heat treatment. I would start at 2.5gr.
I would use a gun you know will handle the 2.5 and try to get a velocity/pressure guesstimate.
You can then move higher if no signs of overpressure, like flattened primers or hard extraction.
Prescut
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I have used TB with 32-20 revolver loads, but with 93g LRN only to date. It runs 650fps with 3g TB. Hodgdons shows TB use for 115g LRNFP. Here is what I found:
Min – 115g LRNFP - 2.2g TB – 642fps – 11,300 CUP
Max - 115g LRNFP - 2.5g TB - 707fps - 15,300 CUP
Data suggests that you may be loading heavy if shooting an early example. If you reload, I hope you have a chrono. I would load in steps, go to the range and start shooting, using a 2.5g load. Watch the chrono to make sure all the bullets exit the barrel and at what speed. I would load 2.5g, 3g, 3.5g and shoot until you get somewhere around 750fps and stop there.
The cylinder and barrel of the 32-20 is very strong. It will hold up well whether it is heat treated or not, and that is not an issue. The big issue is the age of your gun. I shoot 1899 32-20s and they do just fine at 700 to 750fps, plenty fast enough to go through paper.
Min – 115g LRNFP - 2.2g TB – 642fps – 11,300 CUP
Max - 115g LRNFP - 2.5g TB - 707fps - 15,300 CUP
Data suggests that you may be loading heavy if shooting an early example. If you reload, I hope you have a chrono. I would load in steps, go to the range and start shooting, using a 2.5g load. Watch the chrono to make sure all the bullets exit the barrel and at what speed. I would load 2.5g, 3g, 3.5g and shoot until you get somewhere around 750fps and stop there.
The cylinder and barrel of the 32-20 is very strong. It will hold up well whether it is heat treated or not, and that is not an issue. The big issue is the age of your gun. I shoot 1899 32-20s and they do just fine at 700 to 750fps, plenty fast enough to go through paper.
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Ivan the Butcher
Member
My 32WCF handguns are a 4" 1902 M&P and a 6" 1919 Colt Police Positive Special. I have gone to the 2.5 gr Trail Boss with a 117 cast RNFP w/GC. I'm quite happy with the results. Avoid Jacket bullets, that antique steel doesn't need the extra wear.
Ivan
Ivan
OP
Followup on Reloading the 32-20 Range Report
I spent a few hours at my local range today with two of my 32-20 Smiths. I loaded up 30 rounds, 10 each of Trail Boss at 2.5 gr, 3.0grs, and 3.5gr. I do not have a chronograph so this is experiential in nature. I used 2 S&W revolvers, a high serial number 115xxx (1930s) with 6" barrel and a low serial number 42xxx (1906-1909) with 4" barrel. All shots were at a distance of 10 yards. Bullet was a cast 100gr RNFP. Best groups were from the 2.5 grs followed by 3.0gr loads. A loading of 3.5 grs had a number of flyers with a bit more kick. Of the 30 only one had a flat primer with the 3.5gr load. More of a kick was found with the 3.5gr load as expected. I concluded that Trail Boss with a load of 2.5 gr for punching holes in paper is the way to go for my old shooters. Thanks to glow for the suggestion.
I spent a few hours at my local range today with two of my 32-20 Smiths. I loaded up 30 rounds, 10 each of Trail Boss at 2.5 gr, 3.0grs, and 3.5gr. I do not have a chronograph so this is experiential in nature. I used 2 S&W revolvers, a high serial number 115xxx (1930s) with 6" barrel and a low serial number 42xxx (1906-1909) with 4" barrel. All shots were at a distance of 10 yards. Bullet was a cast 100gr RNFP. Best groups were from the 2.5 grs followed by 3.0gr loads. A loading of 3.5 grs had a number of flyers with a bit more kick. Of the 30 only one had a flat primer with the 3.5gr load. More of a kick was found with the 3.5gr load as expected. I concluded that Trail Boss with a load of 2.5 gr for punching holes in paper is the way to go for my old shooters. Thanks to glow for the suggestion.
Green Frog
Member
Please don't tear up my S&W card, but since my only S&W in 32-20 is a pre-heat treat M&P, I'm following this thread for ideas to use with a couple of single actions, one an Italian copy of a C*** SAA, and another a R****. B****H***. Since both are full sized revolvers made of modern steel, I'll be watching your high end loads. I have a new can of TB on hand and with my forays into the straight side 32 cartridges I have a wide selection of bullets available, but I think I'm going with old school 118 grain Ideal 3118s as a starting point, then maybe drop back to some 105 grain FRNs. Keep those good ideas coming and I'll just hang out and watch quietly (unusual for me! 
)
Froggie
)Froggie
DWalt
Member
Heat treating or not for a K-frame .32-20 is really not a concern because there is so much metal thickness around the chambers. Nonetheless, attempting to Magnumize your .32-20 reloads is not a great idea for several other reasons. One of the supposed “benefits” of Trail Boss is its low bulk density, which makes it difficult to overload. But it is the least economical handgun propellant around. Some may like it, but it is definitely not for me.
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I'm not sure if they still do but when IMR debuted Trail Boss powder they quite specifically said that if you were shooting cast bullets in handgun loads and using Trail Boss, you could load a column of powder tall enough to reach the base of the seated bullet (WITHOUT any compression) and that load was safe for Trail Boss.
This was published, pretty sure I have it in an old IMR guide.
Some of the charges I see here (2.5 grains...?!) scare me more than a heavy charge.
This was published, pretty sure I have it in an old IMR guide.
Some of the charges I see here (2.5 grains...?!) scare me more than a heavy charge.
ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
Please don't tear up my S&W card, but since my only S&W in 32-20 is a pre-heat treat M&P, I'm following this thread for ideas to use with a couple of single actions, one an Italian copy of a C*** SAA, and another a R****. B****H***. Since both are full sized revolvers made of modern steel, I'll be watching your high end loads. I have a new can of TB on hand and with my forays into the straight side 32 cartridges I have a wide selection of bullets available, but I think I'm going with old school 118 grain Ideal 3118s as a starting point, then maybe drop back to some 105 grain FRNs. Keep those good ideas coming and I'll just hang out and watch quietly (unusual for me!
Froggie
Why did you blank out Colt?
What does R B H stand for?
As for Hodgdon load data, look under the pistol data and you will find 32-20 data for bullets from 77gr up to 115gr. The only Trail Boss data is for 90gr and 115gr cast bullets.
Green Frog
Member
I didn’t want to offend the Smith and Wesson purists her with four letter words like “Colt” nor yet with “Roger Blackhawk”.
My tastes in firearms tend to be ecumenical but this IS the S&W forum. Thanks for the info about the Hodgkin load data, and my 3118 moulds is close enough to 115 grains to be safe at starting loads. As for that 105 grain bullet I mentioned, I’ve seen here and elsewhere that folks are loading this bullet safely in 32-20, so I should be OK.
Froggie
9 oz bottle of Trail Boss will load 1580 rounds @ 2.5g. That is 1.8 cents per round. Anyone can afford loading with Trail Boss.
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