Looking for IMR 4227 Load Data 93 Grain Cast Slug for 32-20 in SAA

[Graybeard96]

Just dug out my long forgotten SAA Colt Bislay and found only 2 loaded Rounds. Cant find the Recipe I used to load this old Revolver for. Just for plinking definitely no heavy loads for this old Girl.

My Books show only loads for Rifles non for 100+year old Handguns.

I have on hand and therefore like to use IMR 4227 Powder pushing a 93. Grain Cast Bullet without Gas Check.

Would much appreciate if somebody could suggest a Recipe for a light load.

Thanks in advance, Merry Christmas and good Health in the years to come !
GB

[Larry Gibson]

I seriously doubt 4227 is conducive to very good "light" loads in the 32-20 under a PB'd 93 gr cast bullet, especially in a revolver regardless of whether or not we'd like to use it.

Suggest finding Bullseye, Red Dot, 700X, Unique or a similar burning rate of powder or use a 115 - 120 gr cast bullet.

[Rainier]

I seriously doubt 4227 is conducive to very good "light" loads in the 32-20 under a PB'd 93 gr cast bullet, especially in a revolver regardless of whether or not we'd like to use it.

Suggest finding Bullseye, Red Dot, 700X, Unique or a similar burning rate of powder or use a 115 - 120 gr cast bullet.

Larry is spot on ^^^^

Sadly, 4227 though a wonderful powder with lots of uses the 32-20 isn't going to be one of them. If you have or can find some faster powder you'll be set. FWIW I have great luck with W231 and the 93gr cast boolit in more than one 32-20.

[quail4jake]

Right there with Larry Gibson! If you would try a 100- 110 gr RNFP or SWC (I use NOE 315- 102 SWC) with 4.5 gr Unique I think you'll find it user friendly and easy on 100+ year old guns. I use that and NOE 315- 90 WC cast in BHN 8 40:1 with 3 gr of Titegroup in my 113 year old S&W 1905 hand ejector. Last summer I hit a groundhog in the medulla oblongota at 50 yards with that wadcutter! That's a true story. really.

[sharps4590]

After loading for and shooting the 32-20 for 35+ years, I too agree with Larry. 4227, either brand, is a mite slow for the 32-20. Any of the powders he mentioned will be a much better match. For decades my go to load has been 5 grs. of Unique under a 98 gr. KTSWC. A drop to 4 grs. won't hurt a thing.

[rintinglen]

After loading for and shooting the 32-20 for 35+ years, I too agree with Larry. 4227, either brand, is a mite slow for the 32-20. Any of the powders he mentioned will be a much better match. For decades my go to load has been 5 grs. of Unique under a 98 gr. KTSWC. A drop to 4 grs. won't hurt a thing.

RCBS 32-98 SWC 4.5-5.0 grains unique: This is what I shoot, except that my Police Positive Special gets 3.1 grains of WW231 and a 98 grain WC. The only 4227 load that I ever saw was for a Winchester 92 rifle and it looked plenty hot, even the start load had a higher velocity than the top end of the 2400 loads.

[35 Whelen]

I did a search at www.loaddata.com for 32-20 loads using IMR-4227, came up with 46 loads. These run the gamut from 85 gr. Hornady XTP's to 116 gr. cast. You might consider a subscription.

In Handloader No.290 Brian Pearce did an excellent piece on the 32-20. He used IMR-4227 with a 116 gr. bullet and loads ranging from 9.5 to 11.0 grs. He notes that these are +P loads and should only be used in Colt SA's and S&W's.

I used to load for a couple of 32-20's revolvers and found the cartridge to be a ballistic nightmare with all but fairly light loads. To that end, like others, I'd suggest powders with burn rates no faster than Unique.

35W