Who's the 32-20 expert?

[StrawHat]

Several posters have alluded to heat treating. On the S&W M&P chambered for the 32 WCF or 32-20, heat treating began around 1919 at serial number 81287. Any S&W higher than that will have a heat treated cylinder.

Kevin

[Idaho Mule]

Be very careful, the 32-20 can be addicting. In this household we have Winchester '92, Marlin 1894, Colt SAA, S&W 1905, plus a couple of Ruger Buck-Eye's. They all seem to like boolits .001 or .002 off from each other (except the Rugers like same size) for best accuracy. Cheaper to shoot than 22 rimfires and funner in my opinion. Use your head when loading, don't overload the oldies and you will have lots of fun. Don't forget the old Savage 23 either. It is a light bolt action sporter, perfect little packing around gun and very accurate if you find one in good shape. JW

[50target]

You might say I have the 32-20 addiction. Started out with an 1889 Marlin, then a Remington Model 25, and recently a John Taylor & Co. Uberti Low Wall for the warm to very warm loads. Been an S&W guy for 50 years and the only one to drive me absolutely crazy were the M&P's in 32-20. Never could get the accuracy out of them I should have, Reloader for 50 years and couldn't get a handle on it. Traded'em all off. Then I got an S&W Target in 32-20 and that one has proven to be a very nice shooter. In handguns remember that "it is what it is" and don't hot rod it in the old Smith's and Colt's. Take your time reloading it. Careful in belling and seating. Most commercial cast bullets work well. Can usually find them in whatever diameter you need. Rifles can go a little warmer if a 92 Winnie or Marlin, not so much in the Rem. model 25. I also shoot the 25-20 and like it a lot. Trying to find a used Uberti LW in 32-20 to rebarrel. That one is a lot of fun. Remember to take your time, learn the quirks and you'll be fine as long as you respect the age of the gun and the limitations of the cartridge. I could do everything I do in 25-20 and 32-20 with a 357 mag rifle. But it ain't the same. Shooting those old vintage guns is a joy unto itself. Enjoy.
Bob

[smkummer]

Just got into the 32-20 crowd. 1922 police positive special with a 5" barrel. 115 Lyman and 4.5 unique gets it into the 950 FPS range. Feels like a standard 38 special in power. Easy to load but you have to slightly lube the cases and fits into loading blocks like a 38 special unlike 32 S&W long that starts getting tiny.

[sharps4590]

Evidently the old 32-20 has become a somewhat hot item? I'm glad to see that! I bought my first one in '83 or '84 and as with all you guys fell in love with the little cartridge. As with a lot of you my "herd" grew to 4 firearms, two SA's, one a first gen. Colt and the other an EMF clone, an Army Special and a '92. Can't add a thing to what's been said, it all matches my experience.

[FromTheWoods]

To enjoy shooting that snappy little caliber, choose an original 1892 Winchester and a Ruger Buckeye Convertible. The '92 will handle "medium" classed loads which will have a bit of zip and will shoot with dandy accuracy. (An 1873 Winchester needs a more tame load--weaker internal parts.) The Buckeye will take any load you can put in your '92 and will be accurate also. You can shoot one load in both your guns, and hit everything you aim at. Hard to beat.

Also, I've been loading the .32 WCF .25-20, and .38-40 for a many years, and do not understand the "difficult to load" rumors. Just center the cases in your press as you do with any other cases, and enjoy the reloading session.

Buy both guns before the end of Spring! Summer will be much nicer if you do.

[avogunner]

I recently fell into a 32 WCF Winchester loading tool so that has me now searching for a gun that shoots that caliber (that's how it works right?). I see some here recommend the Lyman mold...does anyone use the old Winchester mold?

[ndnchf]

Check out this post. I have both the Lyman and Winchester molds. There is a photo of both bullets side by side.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...82#post3458082

[three50seven]

Went to one of my favorite local shows yesterday. I saw a few Marlins and Winchesters in 32-20, but nothing in my price range. One Spanish copy of a S&W in 32-20, but that was the only handgun I saw. I ended up buying a LNIB Ruger Flattop in .44spl for $400 otd, so I can't complain!

[TXGunNut]

My Navy Arms 1873 revolver is like the Uberti mentioned above, very tight cylinder and requires a different sized boolit than my rifles. I use the NOE 314008 for BP loads and a Lee TL 98 gr boolit for smokeless plinker loads. Both of my 92's have badly pitted bores so they will be getting liners soon. I really enjoy the 32WCF but I'm by no means an expert.

[gandydancer]

I have had a few 32-20's in my day. I sold or traded them over the years. and early last year I picked up a custom ruger #3 in 32-20 with a shilen barrel on it I shot it at 50 yards with winchester factory loads and was not impressed with the accuracy at all. cleaned it and put it away. until today other factors figure in. surgery. therapy ??? learning to walk again(Badly" but walking. getting every thing together to reload for it. "surprise" its not a 32-20 at all. its a 30/20 yes a 308 I understand 32/20 TC barrels were also 30/20 I am going to have to rethink this game over before I start reloading for it. just my luck to buy one thing and end up with someones else's bad dream.

[Scharfschuetze]

Gandy,

I think that you'll have fun with that "30/20." I think that the number of 30 calibre boolit designs for .308 barrels should give you lots of options. Use M1 Carbine designs or just size your 32/20 cast boolits down to .310/.311 or so and you should be good to go. As it's a single shot, you won't have to worry too much about crimp grooves so even light 308 jacketed bullets will be easy to use.

You may have to play with your expanding plug's diameter to provide a tighter neck pull, but that should not create any real problems. On the other hand, you can just adjust your overall length so that the boolit is touching the rifling and not worry about it.

By the way, I hope that your recovery goes well and that you are back to walking well soon.

[typz2slo]

I got an old 1894 32-20 made in 1913 going and loaded my first box of ammo for it. I took it easy and didnt mess up any brass. Lubed with Hornady One Shot lube and loaded on a single stage press. I had to be careful because for now all I have is 50 brass. Its a ton of fun making noise with a 100+ year old gun.

[leftiye]

As for the 30-20, the chances are that your 32-20 sizer overdoes it and that all you need to do is use a 30 caliber expander die. Being that it is a single shot, all the bullet grip you need is enough to keep the boolit where you want it. Probly loose enough to chamber the round too long and have the rifling push it back to exact length. Boolit grip is a variable best done away with in this case. If light enough it becomes very consistent.

[FromTheWoods]

I got an old 1894 32-20 made in 1913 going and loaded my first box of ammo for it. I took it easy and didnt mess up any brass. Lubed with Hornady One Shot lube and loaded on a single stage press. I had to be careful because for now all I have is 50 brass. Its a ton of fun making noise with a 100+ year old gun.

Typz--Did you mean an 1892? If you have a Winchester .32 WCF it is a '73 or a '92. If it is a Winchester 1894, it would be a .32-40 or a .32 WS. --Unless it is a non-Winchester, then I would not know what I am talking about.

Any way it is looked at, shooting those old rifles is a dandy way to spend a day! Enjoy.

[typz2slo]

I stand corrected. I fat fingered the model. Its a 1892 32 WCF. Once I got that straight and put in the right serial number it comes back to be made in 1908. Thanks for the correction. Now its even more fun making noise with something thats 108 years old.

Typz--Did you mean an 1892? If you have a Winchester .32 WCF it is a '73 or a '92. If it is a Winchester 1894, it would be a .32-40 or a .32 WS. --Unless it is a non-Winchester, then I would not know what I am talking about.

Any way it is looked at, shooting those old rifles is a dandy way to spend a day! Enjoy.

[dave524]

Years ago I played with a Contender in .32-20 for Hunter Class Metallic Silhouette, yeah the ones with the .308 bore. Redding at that time made dies labelled 32-20 TC which had the correct sized expander . Just saying for those who have this variation.