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Thread: Original 1873 Winchester 32-20 bullet question?

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy Terryrm1-03's Avatar
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    Original 1873 Winchester 32-20 bullet question?

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    Just recvd a real nice 73 winchester 32-20. Slugged the bore need a .315 boolit.
    Looking to see what anyone else uses. 90gr-100gr-115gr.
    What boolit mold works great!
    Im using smokeless powder low pressure of course.
    Thanks for any tips you can give me here to get her up and runninng!
    Thanks Terry
    Last edited by Terryrm1-03; 03-02-2017 at 02:42 AM.

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master
    Ben's Avatar
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    This one would probably work well for you.

    http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product...oducts_id=2766

  3. #3
    Boolit Bub
    flyin brian's Avatar
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    Also the 314-115FN is similar to what I am using in my original 1892 Winchester in 32-20, which is the Lyman 311-008

    http://noebulletmolds.com/NV/product...products_id=57

    Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    Boolit Master northmn's Avatar
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    You might run into the issue of chambering, where an oversize bullet my not chamber. The 32-20 was a black powder cartridge and it seems the tolerances were little looser back then. My 32-20 takes a 311 bullet with good accuracy but I treat it with liquid alox. With black powder one can get the bullet to bump up to the bore with softer alloys like 1-30 or so and get them to give usable accuracy.
    After reading many of these threads on original rifles vs bore diameter I see the need for a hollow based bullet. Lee made one that some like to use in the old trap doors for the 45-70.

    DEP

  5. #5
    Boolit Master Shawlerbrook's Avatar
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    Would love to see some pictures.

  6. #6
    Boolit Buddy Terryrm1-03's Avatar
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    Pics have been added/
    Thanks for the input guys!

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Very nice looking rifle.
    A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms *shall not be infringed*.

    "The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution."
    - Thomas Jefferson

    "While the people have property, arms in their hands, and only a spark of noble spirit, the most corrupt Congress must be mad to form any project of tyranny."
    - Rev. Nicholas Collin, Fayetteville Gazette (N.C.), October 12, 1789

  8. #8
    Boolit Buddy Terryrm1-03's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by smokeywolf View Post
    Very nice looking rifle.
    Thanks! I've got all 3 calibers now. And this 32-20 is the best one.
    I luv the 73's!

  9. #9
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    What a beautiful rifle!

  10. #10
    Boolit Grand Master
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    You mean you have 3 out of the 4? Wasn't there a 22 version in addition to 32-20, 38-40 and 44-40?

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master


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    Howdy Terry
    That is a nice 73 !
    Used ours for years as my primary ground hog rifle in Danville area. Found the 115 FN by far the best cast to use on those dirt rooters. The lighter cast just did not have the weight needed to bust the shoulders or get a good solid wack in the skull.
    3F gives far better velocity and far cleaner in the rifles. 4.5 grains Unique matched the 3F velocity with the 115 grainer so used that load and have never had any rifle issues. Range scrap with Unique and 40-1 with 3F.
    Our barrel is pitted with interrupted rifling so found it needed the fattest cast it will chamber to shoot descent with smokeless. .315+ will chamber and gives 'minute of groundhog" out to 35 yards. 3F shoots well with a .313 40-1 cast. But remember our rifle has a fat throat we must deal with.
    Mike in Peru
    "Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
    Male Guanaco out in dry lakebed at 10,800 feet south of Arequipa.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by rockrat View Post
    You mean you have 3 out of the 4? Wasn't there a 22 version in addition to 32-20, 38-40 and 44-40?
    You're right rockrat. And the rarest of rare are the '73 22 takedowns that escaped the factory without getting their taper pin (secured receiver to barrel/forend) peened over.
    A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms *shall not be infringed*.

    "The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution."
    - Thomas Jefferson

    "While the people have property, arms in their hands, and only a spark of noble spirit, the most corrupt Congress must be mad to form any project of tyranny."
    - Rev. Nicholas Collin, Fayetteville Gazette (N.C.), October 12, 1789

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy Terryrm1-03's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rockrat View Post
    You mean you have 3 out of the 4? Wasn't there a 22 version in addition to 32-20, 38-40 and 44-40?
    OHHHHHH!, you guys are KILLING ME!
    I thought there were only 3 Calibers of the 73 Winchester!
    Well thanks for the input, now I have to search the 22 out.
    Thanks for the replies.
    Mike thanks for your input. I did get .315 85 gr boolits in it,
    (that was all I had and I really needed to shoot it) but wasn't happy with results. Figured I needed a 115gr. I LUV the Crack, the bullet makes coming out of the barrel.
    My BEST CRACK is from a 92 Marlin, 32 LONG COLT. Sweetest sound I've ever heard from a rifle. I like these 32's!
    I just checked GOOGLE, sure enough, they made a 22LR!!!
    Last edited by Terryrm1-03; 03-04-2017 at 09:05 PM.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check