Your Go-To Powder(s) For Your 32-20 Lever Gun
- Thread starter smokeywolf
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CWLONGSHOT
Well-Known Member
Years ago I had a friend build me a barrel for a H&R rifle. He used a shorgun barrel as a “stub” and a SMLE barrel as the actual barrel. Cut and machined to fit the stub then chambered for the 32/20 cartridge. Its a favorite and a real good shooter. I shoot mostly Jwords. 123g Hornadys made for tge 30Ruski shoot MOA and at about 1800 usung my 4227 load. I shot two deer with it to say I did. First was a noodle shot @ 35 yards. 22 woulda worked. Second was about 65 and the shot was in the shoulder. Deer droped at the shot, but got up. Took a second shot as the bullet is a bit tough for 1800 fos. It broke one shoulder and lodged about 3/4 thru intact with mashed nose. Second shot was thry lungs & out other side but not even a dime sized hole. These bullet shoot well but need more velocity.
I had a Win92 and still have a Marlin 1894 CL and a Savage 23. The 32/20 is a fun caliber tagt I shot a lot of ammo theu untill I bought a 300 Black out. I have t shot it much since. Still like and appreciate just dont shoot so much.
A retirement project I guess
I had a Win92 and still have a Marlin 1894 CL and a Savage 23. The 32/20 is a fun caliber tagt I shot a lot of ammo theu untill I bought a 300 Black out. I have t shot it much since. Still like and appreciate just dont shoot so much.
A retirement project I guess
CWLONGSHOT
Well-Known Member
CWLONGSHOT
Well-Known Member
Ill see what I can do for ya. I know I should have all the selections in the “collector” drawer.
CW
oscarflytyer
Well-Known Member
missed this on the first go-round. Starting to load more for the 32-20s. Using Longshot as I found some data for it AND have about 5 lbs. Curious to see how it works. Loading 98 gr for the revolvers and ~115-118 for the Model 53.
From left 32 S&W, 32 ACP, 32 S&W Long, 32 H&R magnum, 327 Federal magnum 32-20 Winchester.
Missionary
Well-Known Member
We have a 6" Dan Wesson in 32-20 which is our favorite revolver. Has a .308 barrel and DW used .309 throats (at least on our cylinder) so it shoots nicely. 3F Goex shoots well. Unique and 2400 is used alot in various weights depending on critter and range.
Then there are a bunch of rifles / carbines from a 16" 1873 up to the Savage bolt.
Have fired mostly Unique in them all . The 73's get 4 grains and as fat of a cast that will chamber. The Savage does Ok with Unique. I do not have my load book here in Peru but 2400 does well. It may be 1680 or 5744 that does better at 1700 fps.
Have used 3F Goex in most of them. 40-1 with a case of3F +cereal box wad and about 1/16" compression works great.
Cast in the 115 weight FNPB is about all we load. For the DW and Savage we have PC some.
Then there are a bunch of rifles / carbines from a 16" 1873 up to the Savage bolt.
Have fired mostly Unique in them all . The 73's get 4 grains and as fat of a cast that will chamber. The Savage does Ok with Unique. I do not have my load book here in Peru but 2400 does well. It may be 1680 or 5744 that does better at 1700 fps.
Have used 3F Goex in most of them. 40-1 with a case of3F +cereal box wad and about 1/16" compression works great.
Cast in the 115 weight FNPB is about all we load. For the DW and Savage we have PC some.
oscarflytyer
Well-Known Member
Since I seemed to have resurrected this one... Anyone done side by side shooting with 32-20 vs 32 H&R Mag? Recoil/noise/accuracy differences (if any)? I (long time ago) had a Ruger SS in 32 Mag. It was before the mag got popular (if you can say it is) and anything 32 was hard to get, especially when I wasn't casting. It is one I REALLY wish I still had. I would love to have a "triple" convertible SA Bisley in 32L/32H&R/32-20. No desire for a 327 - they are loud as hell (imo).
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
I have but there are cravats. 32 H&R at SAAMI pressures vs. 32 WCF at SAAMI pressures? Or something else?
Wiresguy
Active Member
Here’s some info for comparison:
Firearm: Freedom Arms 97, 5.5” Barrel, 32 H&R and 32-20 Cylinders, 2x Leupold
Bullet: Accurate 31-105C, sized .313, LBT Blue lube, coww
Powder: Accurate #5, 4.4 grains, dispensed with Little Dandy, Rotor #2
Primer: CCI 500
Case: Starline
Velocity: 32 H&R 959 fps
32-20 773 fps
Velocity measured 10 feet from the muzzle on Oehler 35P chronograph
Velocity difference is of course due to the case capacity differences between 32 H&R and 32-20.
This 32-20 load averaged 1050 fps from the 24 inch barrel of my 1892 Winchester.
Observations:
Accuracy from the two loads in the FA97 were pretty much equal. 1892 accuracy was the equal of UltraMax 115gr lead factory loads, which was my standard for comparison.
I bought the 20 year old FA97 last February, the 1892 Winchester in July.
The Accurate #5 powder was purchased on a whim - it was available, and I was curious about it as I had never used it. Note that this powder does leave some unburned granules in the FA97 which are noticeable when ejecting fired cases.
I recently purchased the Accurate 31-100E specifically for use in the 1892. This rifle is of 1896 vintage with a later barrel and I have it simply for the pleasure of shooting it. Loads will be kept mild as paper or steel targets don’t require much “killin.”
The MP Molds 314-640 100 grain bullet over 3.2 grains of Bullseye is an accurate load in the 1892 and FA97, but I don’t like the weight of the brass mold and prefer the lighter aluminum molds.
There is lots of fun to be had with these 32’s.
Firearm: Freedom Arms 97, 5.5” Barrel, 32 H&R and 32-20 Cylinders, 2x Leupold
Bullet: Accurate 31-105C, sized .313, LBT Blue lube, coww
Powder: Accurate #5, 4.4 grains, dispensed with Little Dandy, Rotor #2
Primer: CCI 500
Case: Starline
Velocity: 32 H&R 959 fps
32-20 773 fps
Velocity measured 10 feet from the muzzle on Oehler 35P chronograph
Velocity difference is of course due to the case capacity differences between 32 H&R and 32-20.
This 32-20 load averaged 1050 fps from the 24 inch barrel of my 1892 Winchester.
Observations:
Accuracy from the two loads in the FA97 were pretty much equal. 1892 accuracy was the equal of UltraMax 115gr lead factory loads, which was my standard for comparison.
I bought the 20 year old FA97 last February, the 1892 Winchester in July.
The Accurate #5 powder was purchased on a whim - it was available, and I was curious about it as I had never used it. Note that this powder does leave some unburned granules in the FA97 which are noticeable when ejecting fired cases.
I recently purchased the Accurate 31-100E specifically for use in the 1892. This rifle is of 1896 vintage with a later barrel and I have it simply for the pleasure of shooting it. Loads will be kept mild as paper or steel targets don’t require much “killin.”
The MP Molds 314-640 100 grain bullet over 3.2 grains of Bullseye is an accurate load in the 1892 and FA97, but I don’t like the weight of the brass mold and prefer the lighter aluminum molds.
There is lots of fun to be had with these 32’s.
oscarflytyer
Well-Known Member
Ric - not sure I understand, but yeah, I guess all SAAMI specs... My revolvers are a Colt Police Positive Special (smaller D frame) and Smith ~1919 era M&P - neither of which I care to hot rod - ie: nothing in SAA frame 32-20. And, I was thinking revolver, such as new Ruger or Uberti in 32 H&R for comparison to the older 32-20. New large frame 32 H&R vs new large frame 32-20 would be, I guess, a diff comparison (and bet the 32-20 'wins?'). My 32-20 rifle is a modern Browning 53, so it can handle higher pressure/out of the mix.
To net it out, 1) I like older calibers (32-20 obviously wins here); 2) I like older/vintage guns (again, hands down to my 2 revolvers); 3) even with older/vintage 32-20s that I will shoot mostly for fun, or even if I wanted to small game/varmint hunt with, is there any REAL field difference or big advantage to a 32 H&R mag over a 32-20? What would the modern 32mag do/give me that a nice old 32-20 would not?
Hope that all makes some semblance of sense! lol
To net it out, 1) I like older calibers (32-20 obviously wins here); 2) I like older/vintage guns (again, hands down to my 2 revolvers); 3) even with older/vintage 32-20s that I will shoot mostly for fun, or even if I wanted to small game/varmint hunt with, is there any REAL field difference or big advantage to a 32 H&R mag over a 32-20? What would the modern 32mag do/give me that a nice old 32-20 would not?
Hope that all makes some semblance of sense! lol
oscarflytyer
Well-Known Member
Velocity: 32 H&R 959 fps vs 32-20 773 fps. Wow! this is same load (if I read correctly). Big difference
But, what if... Same platform/same ~100 grn cast bullet. Both calibers loaded to their best velocity/comparison? are they closer, or does the 32-20 still 'give up a lot?' And of course, does it really matter (the age old adage, more deer have been killed by a ~2100 fps 30 cal bullet than anything else! lol)
But, what if... Same platform/same ~100 grn cast bullet. Both calibers loaded to their best velocity/comparison? are they closer, or does the 32-20 still 'give up a lot?' And of course, does it really matter (the age old adage, more deer have been killed by a ~2100 fps 30 cal bullet than anything else! lol)
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Here is the issue; 32 H&R Magnum SAAMI data is at 21,000 CUP and 32/20 data at 15,900 CUP. Neither of them real life in real revolvers, as that is from pressure barrels. Lyman doesn’t list any cast bullet loads over 15,600 CUP not even the SAAMI standard. So much for #2 alloy sized to bore diameter.
It depends upon what you are using. 32 H&R in an H&R original that is probably the maximum everyday load. In my S&W J and K frames I load to 30,000 CUP. That is about 1,000 f/s with AA#5 or Unique.
Post 1927 Colt or post 1921 S&W I load to 25,000 CUP with A2400 that is also 1,000 f/s. But that is a field load. Target and plinking is 10,000 CUP with 3 grains of Bullseye.
What do you want? If you have a modern 32 H&R, load to potential and enjoy it. If you have an old 32/20 load it for what you need.
It depends upon what you are using. 32 H&R in an H&R original that is probably the maximum everyday load. In my S&W J and K frames I load to 30,000 CUP. That is about 1,000 f/s with AA#5 or Unique.
Post 1927 Colt or post 1921 S&W I load to 25,000 CUP with A2400 that is also 1,000 f/s. But that is a field load. Target and plinking is 10,000 CUP with 3 grains of Bullseye.
What do you want? If you have a modern 32 H&R, load to potential and enjoy it. If you have an old 32/20 load it for what you need.
Outpost75
Active Member
BIG factor in revolver velocity is barrel-cylinder gap. Many older pre-WW2 revolvers have gap which today would be considered excessive, over 0.010" should not be fired with factory jacketed loads because you may stick a bullet in the barrel. Velocity will be about 100 fps less than a modern gun assembled to Mean Assembly Tolerance of 0.006". Min. gap is 0.003" pass/ 0.004 hold, max. is 0.008" pass / 0.009" hold.
oscarflytyer
Well-Known Member
Ric - I greatly appreciate you information - as always! Thanx! I will keep my old Colt PPS to the std pressure ~16K cup. It is the smaller frame. Thought maybe I could bump the Smith up a bit, but as its ~1919, I am still ok leaving it at the std 16K cup pressure. They are just fun vintage revolvers at the end of the day anyway. Eventually I am sure I will pick up a newer SAA or K frame 32-20 revolver and load accordingly. In the mean time, I will enjoy the heck out of the ones I have, and can do pretty much the 32-20 limit in the modern Browning 53 rifle. And, would much rather get another 32-20 over a 32 H&R any day!
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
The Browning Model 53 is the ultimate 32/20!!!!
L Ross
Well-Known Member
Almost Ric. I met an old Indian on a disturbance call one Winter night in a crappy one room apartment in a rooming house. In typical cop fashion I asked, "You ain't got a gun hidden here someplace do ya?" before I let him set down on his bed seein' how he was pretty drunk. You know the accent and his forthright manner, sort blunt and sincere. "I got my deer rifle I use when I'm on the Rez, wanna see it?" "Hell ya." says I. He gets down on his hands and knees and slides a leg o' mutton gun case out and starts to remove a rifle. I asked if it was loaded and he turns his rheumy looking eyes at me and says, "Course not, I ain't stupid, my woman stays here some times."
So out of the case comes a Winchester Model 53 in about 90% condition, a .32-20 he proudly tells me. I had, and have, never seen another. No he didn't want to sell it but his woman was out at the bars trying to sell a coyote fur jacket for 20 bucks because they were out of beer.
I asked how many deer he killed with the sleek little rifle and I frankly have forgotten how many he said, but he went on to tell me it also worked good for bear when you were shooting them out of a tree hunting them with dogs. So we sit and talk guns, and deer, and bears, and I tell him how my Uncle Bub had a Beagle that was an inveterate deer chaser and how Bub had given the dog to an Indian co-worker up on the same Rez because they could hunt deer with dogs. This guy lights up and says, "Maybe I knew that dog, a guy had a Beagle that ran deer but could tree bears too, big voice!"
The woman came back while we were still bull shittin' and I gave her 20 bucks for the jacket and I used it to put coyote fur trim on Canadian caps we used for Winter Camp rendezvous. I left and they promised to keep the noise down and I never ran across them again.
Bret4207
At the casting bench in the sky. RIP Bret.
What advantage the 32 H+R has over the 32/20? The ability to use 32 S+W, Long and mag and to use a carbide die. Other than that the advantage goes to the 32-20. Neither one is real easy o find brass or proper bullets for, unless you cast of course. In hotter loads both require hearing protection. But IMO they are two different cartridges intended for 2 different applications...sort of anyway.
I know one of the accuracy loads,in my single six,,is rcbs 98swc,and 3.5 -hp38.when i got my 1894cl marlin,,i tried 3.5 grs hp38,in it,,,super accurate!