32-20 loads

[glenncal1]

Well with my purchase of an Army Special (see revolver forum) in 32-20 I just ordered a reloading set up. Any suggestions for loads for this gun. Just looking for a good plinking/target load. I would also like to load some HP's to carry for trail gun, but they don't need to be scorchers. Thanks, Jim

[bmcgilvray]

The .32-20 is one of my favorite cartridges. Great in revolvers and rifles.

Take a look at Hornady's 90 grain lead semi-wadcutter. http://www.hornady.com/store/32-Cal-.314-90-gr-SWC/

This bullet is a superstar performer in my Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector .32-20. Try it with 4.5 grains of Unique. I've had great results to 5.5 grains of Unique with this bullet in both handgun and rifle. That $40.32 price must be bulk price as they aren't that expensive in boxes of 100.

A cast lead 115 grain .312 diameter bullet is also a winner loaded in front of 4.0 grains of Unique.

Velocities with the above loads will vary between 800 fps and 950 fps depending on bullet weight and powder charge.

[glenncal1]

Do you use small pistol or small rifle primers?

[Hobie]

It likely won't matter in a revolver but use the small rifle primers. The primer pockets are dimensioned for them.

I have both a S&W 1905 4th change and a Marlin 1894C and the 1894c firing pin protrusion is a hair too short to hit small pistol primers seated to the bottom of the primer pockets but the S&W has nary a problem.

3 gr. Bullseye with Lyman 3118 is a good load, too.

[MMCSRET]

I load and shoot two Army Specials in 32-20. My favorite load is my 3118 bullet cast soft and loaded over 4.5 gr. Unique or for a very soft, easy to shoot plinker I load the same bullet over 2.4 gr. of Trail Boss. I like Trail Boss because it fills the case up enough that the powder stays in contact with the primer. I found that light charges of Bullseye had a tendency to string out thru the length of the case and was cause for very wide differences in velocity, depending on the position of the powder when ignited. Unique is not as bad. Ken Waters wrote of this problem when he was doing load development. If you tip your revolver up after each shot it will position the powder back against the primer and will enhance shot to shot accuracy tremendously.
Good shooting!!!!

[Bisley]

Hello, glenncal1. I have a Colt Bisley 71/2" mfg. 1903. I like TrailBoss, as it's a nice light recoil load, & pressure seems low..a big consideration for these older Colts. I have also tried Bullseye & Titegroup, but have to be careful with loads as these powders can raise pressures fast. I am using the Lyman 3118 cast soft. I also have the RCBS 98gr. SWC, but haven't had time to try before weather got too cold. Best of luck!

[Derry 1946]

Thanks for the tip, bmcg. I'm always on the lookout for a good cartridge for my old S&W 32.20 HE. It's a neat revolver.

Derry

[glenncal1]

Ordered 2 boxes (500ea.) of the Hornady bullets from Price Insanity.com for a total of $64 including shipping.

[DFrame]

Keep in mind the 32-20 dates to the black powder era and the brass is quite thin to accomidate the lower pressures of the day. As such it is easy to crush cases or crumple shoulders if you get too aggressive with your press. They will also require lubrication. Certainly no big deal but the old cartridge does require just a little extra care.

[Bisley]

Hello, glenncal1. I saw DFrame's post and reminded me..I use Starline brass, and I too had heard about the thin brass problem, so I ordered a Lee factory crimp die, which swages in from circumference, instead of pushing case into crimping shoulder. I also use the RCBS Cowboy dies, as all my loading is for cast. Best of luck!