.32-20 powders

[FromTheWoods]

I'll be trying gas checked 115 gr bullets in a .32-20 1873 Winchester. We are attempting to move away from lead with filler and jackets in the old rifle.

Recently purchased "Modern Reloading" Second Edition by Richard Lee and Lyman's "Cast Bullet Handbook" 4th Edition. They show loads for three powders I have on hand: Titegroup, RL7, and 2400 (Hercules 2400.) We have loaded Titegroup under cast for this rifle, but have been wanting to change to a powder with a slower pressure spike. Unfortunately for me, their loads are for plain base bullets, and for more modern firearms than the '73.

Which powder is better for the old '73: RL7 or Hercules 2400?

Are there cautions with using current Alliant 2400 load data and substituting the Hercules powder?

Is there a good source for loads for the Winchester "dash" cartridges of '73's and '94's that include gas checked data and using these two powders and H4895?

Would any of you care to share a .32-20 115-120 gr. gas checked load which uses RL7, Hercules 2400, Alliant 2400, or H4895?

[srk]

Hi
I have an 1885 low wall in .32-20,and shoot the Lyman 115 plain base.
At 100 yds it shot excellent with both Win 231 and the Titegroup.
With 231 just edging out the Titegroup.
I will grab the weight of powder when I get home.
Hope this helps.

[rhbrink]

Lower pressure spike? The mother of all powders "black powder" that is what it was designed for.

RB

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Have you tried the 115 gr. Badman Brand CLSWC? I picked up a box of 500 at ARPC and have been shooting them in Uberti revolvers using Unique. Very accurate.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
Depending on the bullet weight I have used 4.5-5 grains Unique in my old 1873 32 WCF for many years. Never an issue. This old rifle must have at least a .315 diameter.
I also use Unique in my Savage 23 bolt rifle. Again depends on the bullet and weight/mix but starting at 5 grains and moving up at .2 grain increments until the best accuracy is evident. This rifle shoots .311 nicely just like my Dan Wesson revolver with a 4 inch barrel.
Mike in Peru

[enfield]

6.0 to 6.3 gr 2400 myself. have also used w231, unique, red dot, herco, 2F, and for light quiet loads 1.0 to 2.0 gr trail boss. all with the 115 gr lyman ( sometimes without the gas check on light loads.)

[Tar Heel]

Accurate Arms #7 is where you want to be. Bullets are cast PB bullets.

Attachment 128281

[fouronesix]

Which powder is better for the old '73: RL7 or Hercules 2400?

Would any of you care to share a .32-20 115-120 gr. gas checked load which uses RL7, Hercules 2400, Alliant 2400, or H4895?

I've used both 2400 and Reloader 7 in 32-20 Colt SAAs and Win 73s. To minimize the chance for a high pressure spike in an older BP gun, I'd go with Rel7. 2400 is just fast and dense enough to spike pressures with a slight over load- even in the small capacity 32-20 case.

In my 73 rifle, I get 1250 fps with 11.5 gr Rel 7 under a 115 gr GC bullet. Lyman lists a pressure of 6500 CUP with 12.4 gr of Rel 7 under a 115 gr plain base cast bullet. 6500 CUP seems like a comfortable, safe pressure for an older Win 73.

Never tried 4895 in a 32-20.

[Outpost75]

In the 1873 it is impossible to get enough RL7 or 4198 in the case to get into any trouble. You can load a compressed caseful as if loading black powder, and get good base support for the traditional bullets like Ideal #3118, which do not haveca crimp groove. Cast bullets 1:40 tin lead and use modern solid-head cases with Remington 6-1/2 or Federal 200 primers. You can do the same thing in .38-40 and. 44-40 with standard Ideal bullets for the caliber.

[FromTheWoods]

Thanks for the specifics on the two powders and also for the suggested powder changes. Those numbers are a great help. I'll get RL7 test loads made this week, and attempt to settle on a sweet load.

I did copy that AA7 table to add to my reloading library.

Thank you again to all of you.

[Clark]

I was working up loads today .308" 110 gr RN jacketed and .313" 120 gr Missouri cast coated
With 115 gr or 120 gr bullets, just about as much H110 will fit, is just about as hot as I ever want to go.

[clum553946]

I like Unique with 120 gr cast

[Bucking the Tiger]

John Taffin has some good loads using H4227 on his site," Sixguns.com" that I have used and have been impressed.

[btroj]

I agree with the 4.5 to 5 gr of Unique dependant on bullet weight. Mine is fed a steady diet of 5 gr Unique and a 120mgr cast bullet.

[TXGunNut]

A little dab of 231 or a case full of FFFg under NOE's version of the Lyman 3118, believe he calls it a 314008. Cute boolit.

[Nobade]

20 gr. Old Eynsford FFFg and an Ideal #3118 lubed with Bullshop's NASA. Accurate, powerful, and safe in your rifle. Shoots like a champ in my Marlin 1894CL and old S&W hand ejector.

-Nobade

[bowhunter]

unique in my HE smith with 115 lyman works great!