Jacketed bullets for .32-20?

[hanover67]

My Army Special .32-20 has a pretty rough bore. I've tried cleaning it with JB and solvents but it's still has what looks like tool marks in the bore, especially the grooves. I'm reluctant to use lead bullets and looking for a recommendation for jacketed bullets of 100 or 115 gr. I plan to use Unique powder. Any suggestions?

[MMCSRET]

The Hornady 100 gr. XTP/HP and the Speer 100 gr. HP will work. Try some cast bullets, you'll be surprised how well they work in the old bore. I use 3118 cast soft in a 1922 Army Special, a 1912 Colt Bisley and a 1907 New Army; all in 32-20. None of the bores are great but they all shoot the cast bullets better than I can hold the old guns.

[bmcgilvray]

I've got to agree with MMCSRET's advice and recommend trying cast lead bullets, despite the bore's apparent condition. In fact, that would be the first direction I would take a new/old .32-20 revolver with an "iffy" looking bore.

I shoot mostly cast bullets in .32-20 but, over the past 30 years or so, I've fired quite a lot of the Remington 100 grain jacketed flat-nosed soft point bullets. Their old product code used to be B22810. This is a really accurate bullet in a Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector. A Winchester Model 1892 .32-20 carbine that I keep loves this bullet as well. I've always considered it to be a staple in my inventory of bullets kept for use in .32-20.

Here's some data for this Remington 100 grain jacketed bullet taken from the revolver's 4-inch barrel.


4.5 grains: Muzzle Velocity 799 fps, Muzzle Energy 142 Ft./Lbs., Extreme Spread 73

5.0 grains: Muzzle Velocity 932 fps, Muzzle Energy 215 Ft./Lbs., Extreme Spread 52*

5.5 grains: Muzzle Velocity 1180 fps, Muzzle Energy 309 Ft./Lbs., Extreme Spread 26

*favorite load. The lighter load is fairly dirty which could indicate inefficient burning of the propellant due to low pressures. The heavier load probably shouldn't see extensive use in a revolver, being more suited to the rifle. My revolver seems to handle it perfectly, giving normal extraction with reasonable looking primers. It might have some application if one had only a .32-20 revolver for household defense.


One thing about the .32-20 cartridge in revolvers is that it gives an effective indicator of a load that is pushing things too hard. If the revolver is crowded too much, the tapered .32-20 case announces the infraction by summarily backing out and locking down the revolver.

My revolver is one that was made later Smith & Wesson's production of .32-20 revolvers and possesses the upgraded heat treatment that is said to have been introduced around 1920. A Colt Army Special should easily handle any load that the S&W Hand Ejector can. I have an old Colt New Navy .32-20 that wouldn't see use with any of the jacketed bullet loads mentioned above.