Marlin 1894CL .32-20WCF

[barefooter175]

Good morning fellow bullet casters and shooters,

I purchased this gun somewhere in the early '90s. I had won 500 cast bullets at a match somewhere around that time. Anyhow, I loaded them and shot them. They were cast from an older mould and cast in pure lead. They shot pretty well.

I am at the point now where I need to get a mould, cast, load, and, of course, shoot. What are the group's members' recommendations for a good 4-6 cavity mould? I want a flat base and RNFP. Please let me know. Oops, any recommendations for BP and smokeless loads too.

Thank you.

[Baja_Traveler]

I have the NOE 311008 six banger and can drop so many boolits in one sitting that I only have to cast twice a year. I have the exact same rifle I use in our pistol cartridge levergun silhouette matches, and its tack accurate out to the 100 yard ram line. A couple times playing on the rifle range I managed to knock over the 200 yard rams (gotta hit them way up high). Not practical really, but alot of fun...

[Outpost75]

Accurate has a number of designs suitable for the .32-20 also. In my .32 S&W Long and .32-20 revolvers I use 31-105T.

Attachment 241657Attachment 241658Attachment 241659Attachment 241660Attachment 241661

Bullet, Little Dandy#, Pdr. Chg.____Colt Police Positive 5”______Savage Sporter 25”

Accurate 31-105T

LD#1, 3.2 grains TiteGroup_________858 fps, 22 Sd, 61 Es_______1133 fps, 30 Sd, 67 ES

LD#4, 3.4 grains Bullseye__________861 fps, 19 Sd, 47ES________1173 fps, 18 Sd, 54 ES

LD#4, 4.9 grains AutoComp________ 943 fps, 32 Sd, 71 ES_______1315 fps, 32 Sd, 118 ES

LD#10, 7.5 grains Alliant #2400_____991 fps, 24 Sd, 65 ES_______1348, 29 Sd, 69 ES DO NOT EXCEED!

LD#13, 10.0 grains IMR4227_______985 fps, 25 Sd, 61ES________1280 fps, 53 Sd, 176 ES

LD#17, 13 grains IMR4198________974 fps, 21 Sd, 94 ES________1326 fps, 46 Sd, 138 ES

[1Hawkeye]

I use Arsenals 311008 in a 4 cavity mold it's my favorite mold. For a powder charge I use 4.5 grs of unique and I'm using starline brass. I had a marlin like you but let it go when I found a Stevens 44 in the same caliber.

[barefooter175]

I use Arsenals 311008 in a 4 cavity mold...

I checked out their website. There are two moulds I would like to order. Thanks for the info.

[cwlongshot]

I like a lil heavier slug. I have a older 120g LEE group buy mold that is a Ranch Dog style with a WFP. Not really a requirement, I just like its profile. I also shoot the Lyman 113g swc bullet. (I cannot remember the number. I can look if ya really need it)

Both shoot very well with a splash of PB for 750-800 fps “lite” loads to almost 1700 fps with 1680, if I see the need.

Back about 2008/09 I had a barrel made from a SMLE cut off and a shotgun barrel stub, for my H&R SB2 frame. It allows for heavier bullets to stabilize and I have shot up to 175g at respectable velocities! I even took a lil buck with a 123jword. Dropped him on the spot... Head shot him in super, super thick briars at about 40 yards. About all I could see clearly!!! Learned that some of those bullets are real tough! I sont think it expanded much at all. As all I saw was a pencil hole. So, Im glad I didnt take a shoulder lung shot!

I like these pot calibers a aweful lot! 22H, 218 Bee, 25/20 and 32/20!

Good luck

CW

[osteodoc08]

That marlin can handle the much hotter “level 3” loads. For giggles I’ve loaded them hot with 296 and a 100gr XTP.

For my old Marlin 1889 and Winny 92, I prefer the 115gr with 3.5gr Unique. A hoot to shoot and easy on those old girls.

[john.k]

A late 32/20 can use 30 carbine level loads......in fact the 30 is a rimless 32/20.....and wasnt 296 originally produced for the 30 carbine.....I have a late winny thats been re case hardened (not cosmetic colour) ,with a 303 barrel,and it shoots 150 gn with a caseful of 296 ,and flattens SR primers,and with very gratifying accuracy.