Tested .32-20 HP (graphic)

[JeffinNZ]

Team.

Went out the plains this evening to my usual hare hunting farm and trialled the .32-20 loads I have developed with the Lyman 31133 HP. The load is 106gr air cooled wheel weight bullet departing at 1850fps. Here they are:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/DSCN1989.jpg

The farm has been leased and about 80% is in wheat now but I found a few paddocks with fresh grass and saw 10 hares all up and tipped over 2 of them. All I can say about the 31133 load is SAVAGE. Absolutely brutal on small game. The frist hare I shot at about 70m and the second approx. 50m. Both animals expired instantly and both showed bullet fragmentation signs. See the following:

This is number one hare and my suppressed Martini.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/DSCN2130.jpg

This is the exit wound of the first hare. Bullet fragments just under the skin on the off side can be seen middle of the large bruise and the lower spot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/DSCN2131.jpg

Entry wound second hare:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/DSCN2132.jpg

Exit wounds second hare. Four exit wounds were present showing fragmentation:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/DSCN2133.jpg

Prior to this bullet my HV load for the .32-20 was a 311316 at similar velocity which is a very convincing small game stopper. The HP is almost a bit too much if that is possible. I suppose I could slow it down but then the trajectory advantage goes.

[Jack Stanley]

Ouch!!! looks to me like little bunny wabbit ain't goin' home tonight .

I saw a mold like that for sale a little while ago but there was no way I was gonna pay the price they wanted for it . A custom mold would be less money and work as well I'd bet .

Just curious , what alerted the other rabbits that you weren't able to roll them over ?

Great load performance , congrats !

Jack

[elk hunter]

What a bunny thumper!

One of the first cartridges I ever reloaded was 32-20, back about 1953. I always loved that caliber, but never owned a rifle in it. Makes me want to start building one.

[dk17hmr]

Nice! That is a good looking boolit.

My dad has a 32-20 Savage bolt action that I loaded some 155gr flatpoints in with a really light charge of trailboss, it flattens rabbits.

[Euan]

Good going Jeff. I do like the hollow point myself for small game. But casting them in the quantity that I need is an issue. But they do kill small game much quicker & a bit safer around farms (less ricochets)

Cheers Euan

[JeffinNZ]

Just curious , what alerted the other rabbits that you weren't able to roll them over ? Jack

Out of range. The property is one I usually only take my .223 on as the shots are long mostly. If I had taken the .223 last evening I would have taken 5-6 I am sure. Still had a great time getting just two however.

[GLynn41]

nice bullet--- nice hole-- if one can throw a cat through the hole it is about right
nice shooting Tex

[Von Gruff]

Jeff, you are obviously not looking to take them for the table with devestating boolit performance like that. Had you thought of making another hollowpointer stem that is adjustable for depth even to leaving the nose with a meplat so you could have a "destroyer" and a "meat getter" with the same mould.

Von Gruff.

[JeffinNZ]

Gruff: There is not much meat on the front of a hare anyways. I only take from the ribs down. Unfortunately I do not own the 31133 mould. It was leant to me. I filled a Golden syrup tin with bullets and sent it home.

[Glen]

Good report Jeff! That is a classic bullet and exactly the performance I would have expected at 1800 fps. How well does that load shoot for you at longer range (say 100-150 yards)?

[Jack Stanley]

Thanks Jeff , I haven't driven my own 32-20 past twelve hundred yet . I'm thinking maybe this year I might look into making a high velocity load for it .

Jack

[TCLouis]

Seems to me that a plain ol FP boolit at that velocity wold put one down right smartly.

I would think that the farmer would really appreciate you as I am willing to bet those suckers can eat a bunch of wheat.

[Piedmont]

I'm amazed you can get 1850 fps with accuracy from a plain base bullet. Are you using any tricks?
Wads?

[JeffinNZ]

I'm amazed you can get 1850 fps with accuracy from a plain base bullet. Are you using any tricks?
Wads?

LDPE wad under the base.

[rollmyown]

Sweet rifle Jeff, Should make short work out of those imported wallaby.

What powder and weight are you using?

Cheers from Tasmania

Rollmyown

[1Shirt]

Always enjoy reports from that side of the world.
1Shirt!

[JeffinNZ]

Sweet rifle Jeff, Should make short work out of those imported wallaby.

What powder and weight are you using?

Cheers from Tasmania

Rollmyown

14gr AR2205 (H4227).

[JeffinNZ]

Good report Jeff! That is a classic bullet and exactly the performance I would have expected at 1800 fps. How well does that load shoot for you at longer range (say 100-150 yards)?

Glen: This is a quick 3 shot group at 100m/110y this morning.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/JeffinNZ/Shooting%20stuff/31133100m.jpg

[swheeler]

Guess I'm the only one who doesn't know what a LDPE wad is? The HP,s do look explosive from the photos though, good job Jeff.

[JeffinNZ]

Low density polyethylene. # 4 recycling mark. Coffee tin lids are generally LDPE. Wonderful stuff and mostly FREE.

[Old Goat Keeper]

I bet that hollow point would do a number on groundhogs! Just an obsolete caliber that can't kill anything anymore according to the gunwags!

Jeff are those jack rabbits any good eating? Here in the US everyone says just blast em and let em lay. I like to eat what I shoot.

Tom



Gruff: There is not much meat on the front of a hare anyways. I only take from the ribs down. Unfortunately I do not own the 31133 mould. It was leant to me. I filled a Golden syrup tin with bullets and sent it home.

[TCLouis]

Funny how Hares in other parts of the world, Cane Cutters in the SE US of A look like a SW Jackrabbit and folks in the SW are the only people that do not eat their variety.

[JeffinNZ]

Having hare back steak medallions very soon. Hare is like venison. Actually hares are from the deer family not rabbits as most folk think.

[Lloyd Smale]

wow i love that gun.

[NVScouter]

Great looking rifle!

I've shot Jackrabbits here in -10f that are still buggy as can be. Not just mite spots but full on 3" larve in the ears. Doesnt make me want to eat them. Cottontail rabbits here after the first real frost are clean as can be. Any bug problems?

I've wanted a lower powered .30 for awile. I've had .30 carbine or 30-30 on my 16-18" barrel list. I may have to add the 32-20 to that list. I think that on my T/C would be a good backpack carbine.

[JeffinNZ]

LOW POWERED!!! How rude!

LOL.

[9.3X62AL]

Jeff--

GREAT REPORT! Many thanks. My #311316s at 1700-1800 FPS don't do quite as much radial damage as your hollow-points, but end results on our local hares (jackrabbits) are very similar. We don't eat jacks--but they make great coyote snacks & attractants.

[Jack Stanley]

Low powered ? I sure ain't gonna try an' catch one o' them things in the catchers mitt ![smilie=l:

Jack

[Von Gruff]

Hare is a game animal and very good eating. This is how I cook them.

Hare Caserole

Joint hare and soak for 24 hours in salted water at 1 teaspoon salt per joint.

Take a bowl and put in the following,

Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
Tablespoon Brown Sugar
Thyme from two sprigs
1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
1/2 Teaspoon Allspice
Teaspoon Mixed Herbs
1/2 teaspoon Beef stock

Wash joints in fresh water and coat with marinade

Put 1/2 cup flour on plate and coat joints. Leftover flour goes into marinade bowl.

Put two tablespoons oil in pan deep enough that the joints can be covered with liquid later.

Dice an onion and lightly fry with the floured joints till browned then cover with remaining marinade liquid topped up with enough water to 3/4 cover the hare pieces and add 1/2 teaspoon Marmite (vegemite or soy sauce is good substitute). Cover and slow simmer, turning ocasionally for three to four hours. As liquid reduces add water so level remains about 1/4 to 1/2 height of joints.

Von Gruff.

[Fenring]

Lots of shocking power there. Reminds me of some .17HMR wounds or the .22 Hornet.

[quilbilly]

You nicely showed why the 32-20 very quickly became my favorite T/C Contender caliber for anything under 100 pounds at under 150 yards ( the absolute limit of my old eyes to get a sight picture).

[Old Goat Keeper]

vG this sounds like a good recipe for in a crockpot/slow cooker. Or even on the wood stove in the winter. Alas, we don't have any of those jacks/hares where I live.

Tom



Hare is a game animal and very good eating. This is how I cook them.

Hare Caserole

Joint hare and soak for 24 hours in salted water at 1 teaspoon salt per joint.

Take a bowl and put in the following,

Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
Tablespoon Brown Sugar
Thyme from two sprigs
1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
1/2 Teaspoon Allspice
Teaspoon Mixed Herbs
1/2 teaspoon Beef stock

Wash joints in fresh water and coat with marinade

Put 1/2 cup flour on plate and coat joints. Leftover flour goes into marinade bowl.

Put two tablespoons oil in pan deep enough that the joints can be covered with liquid later.

Dice an onion and lightly fry with the floured joints till browned then cover with remaining marinade liquid topped up with enough water to 3/4 cover the hare pieces and add 1/2 teaspoon Marmite (vegemite or soy sauce is good substitute). Cover and slow simmer, turning ocasionally for three to four hours. As liquid reduces add water so level remains about 1/4 to 1/2 height of joints.

Von Gruff.

[Bigjohn]

Great post, Jeff. You'e made me want to hurry up and get the .32/20 project off the backburner. I have the action and original stock; current .310" barrel is rusted beyond saving.

It is a pity that because of our laws I will not be able to fit a moderator to it. I was planning on a BURRIS Scout Rifle Scope but who do you handle loading the chamber under the Scope?

Very interesting information on the effectiveness of the HP boolits. If I owned the mold, I would try another shorter pin without altering the original one, but thats my opinion.

Keep up the good shooting and reporting,

[NVScouter]

Great post, Jeff. You'e made me want to hurry up and get the .32/20 project off the backburner. I have the action and original stock; current .310" barrel is rusted beyond saving.

It is a pity that because of our laws I will not be able to fit a moderator to it. I was planning on a BURRIS Scout Rifle Scope but who do you handle loading the chamber under the Scope?

Very interesting information on the effectiveness of the HP boolits. If I owned the mold, I would try another shorter pin without altering the original one, but thats my opinion.

Keep up the good shooting and reporting,

On my contender I use extra high rings to make loading easier. I like the extra height for my pistols too for comfort.

[Hickory]

I have a T/C Contender 32-20 and I used
the below cartridge to swat ground hogs.
Sabots can be bought a the below website.

http://www.eabco.com/reload02.html

http://www.fototime.com/837C0322B241902/medium.jpg (http://www.fototime.com/pictinv/837C0322B241902)

[JeffinNZ]

Looks like a miniture APDSFS tank killer.

What's your load and data?

[Hickory]

Looks like a miniture APDSFS tank killer.

What's your load and data?

I knew someone would ask me that.
I'll get back with you on that.

[Hickory]

Jeff;
I have a link here. If I remember correctly I
used a reduced load for the 30 carbine.

http://www.eabco.com/Reports/report04.html

[Four Fingers of Death]

My 32/20 Savage is at teh smith's getting an old 4X Burris post and crosshair scope fitted. It should be the bee's knees when (if :( ) I ever get it back.

[leadman]

Wish we could hunt with a suppressor here. I'm going to load some of the Lee 113gr RFN GC in my 300 Whisper 18" Contender barrel for about the same use.
I have eaten jacks here in Arizona but the meat is a dark red meat that tastes very strong. The exit wounds look similar to linotype bullets out of my 22K Hornet at about 1,800 fps.
good hunting Jeff.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Traditionally hares are hung for a few days to drain the blood and set up the meat properly, then cooked realllllllllllllllllllllllllllll slow!

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Looks good to me ! A 50/50 32-20 out of the 1873 Win at about 1400 smacking a ground hog at 35 yards does not get quit so much visual effect but has the same result.
Nice caliber to have handy.

[barrabruce]

Here's a question for you .

Have you tried a heavier say 150-180 gr fp loping along on rabbits.

I am asking cos its me favorite 30-30 reduced cast load.

I can be pretty sure it would do the job but haven't found anything under you scribblings on that nice Martini you got.
Effectivness.
pro's and cons.
I presume they would just drill a nice hole and keep going and going and going.
I may have to rethink this through
Cheers
Barra

[Four Fingers of Death]

You could use 303 boolits I suppose, not much boiler room though.