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Thread: [Q] what calibers/cartridges the 32-20 bullets would work for

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub
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    [Q] what calibers/cartridges the 32-20 bullets would work for

    What calibers 32-20 hard cast led bullets are good for ?
    For example, I recently read that 32-20 hard cast can be used in Mosin 7.62x54R for light target loads.
    That picked my interest and therefore the question

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
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    I shoot them in my 32-20…

    But seriously folks, they can be loaded to “plinker” velocities.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master


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    It's a 30 caliber round. There are endless cartridges the bullets can be shot in. Yes, .314" bullets can be sized to .311" with no issues. 7.62x54r would be fine, as would 7.62x51, or 30-06, 30 WCF, 30 carbine, 327 federal, and so on.

  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by megasupermagnum View Post
    It's a 30 caliber round. There are endless cartridges the bullets can be shot in. Yes, .314" bullets can be sized to .311" with no issues. 7.62x54r would be fine, as would 7.62x51, or 30-06, 30 WCF, 30 carbine, 327 federal, and so on.
    Exactly. In fact, some years ago a local shop had about 1500 32 cal (lead, not jacketed) pistol bullets on sale (0.314) and I bought them all - very cheap! I size them down to 0.309 and use them for light load plinkers in a 30-30.
    Hick: Iron sights!

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
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    I've found few .30 caliber rifles that won't work well with a .310" or .311" bullet, if you have a way to size them down. The only drawback might be if the lube groove is shallow to begin with. It will really be shallow after sizing and may not carry enough lube except for the lightest of loads. but still worth trying.

  6. #6
    Boolit Man
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    .32 s&w long if they are 100gr or less,I use all hard cast 100 gr rnfp sized .311 in mine,about 3000 this year!

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

  7. #7
    Boolit Master


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    Sized .310 in my .30 Badger.

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by jgstrug View Post
    .32 s&w long if they are 100gr or less,I use all hard cast 100 gr rnfp sized .311 in mine,about 3000 this year!

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    For a long time my bullet of choice for 32 S&W L, 32 H&R, and 32-20 was the old Ideal 3118 at about 115-118 gr. It was my go to bullet for 32 revolvers!
    Back then a friend had an Ideal 311316 he liked to use for 30-30, but I didn’t/don’t like to use gas checks much.

    Froggie
    "It aint easy being green!"

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    I've used a 112 gr 32 caliber mold to cast for practice loads in a 30/06. With 2400 powder at 2,000 fps they rang the 100 yard bell very well and even put down a coyote with authority. A thought about the comment above about sizing the grease grove too shallow, swirling them in Ben's Liquid Lube, or Xlox should help in that regard.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    Depending on your rifles groove diameter could be used in the 7.65x53 Argentine Mauser, 7.62x54r Russian, 303 British, and 7.7 Japanese. But at greatly reduced loadings. Frank

  11. #11
    Boolit Buddy
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    My favorite use of 32/20 bullets is in my various 7.62x39 rifles, makes for a great combo. I have also used a lot of them over the years in a 30/40 Krag with reduced loads as well, my father inlaw sizes them down for use in the 30/30 and they work equally well there.

  12. #12
    Boolit Bub
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    thank you!

    If I may expand my question: what mold + powder that can make lightest, yet accurate practice rounds for 7.62x54R with 0.313 bore ?
    are there reloading books that furnish that kind of info?
    (powders that I can not find are trail boss or tin star -- I though they would be almost required to fill up the case)

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master
    Mk42gunner's Avatar
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    Just about any of the 90-100 grain boolits meant for one of the various .32 caliber handguns, provided the mold drops large enough with your alloy will work.

    Not very much info in loading manuals about gallery loads, at least that I have been able to find. There is one article in Ken Waters' Pet Loads, and a plethora of information on this website.

    From my experience, you can make any powder from about Herco burning rate or faster work.

    Robert

  14. #14
    Boolit Grand Master


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    I wonder how fast you could shoot them in 30/06.

  15. #15
    Boolit Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by GregLaROCHE View Post
    I wonder how fast you could shoot them in 30/06.
    Plain base or gas check? You could drive a properly sized and checked lead bullet at a pretty brisk clip. Certainly up in the range for High Power target competition over the short (100 yd) course. What do you have in mind for them?

    Froggie
    "It aint easy being green!"

  16. #16
    Boolit Grand Master


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    I remember when they sold(maybe still do) 30/06 accelerators with a 22 cal in a sabot for 30/06. Don’t remember how fast they went, but sure they were snappy.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master


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    Quote Originally Posted by GregLaROCHE View Post
    I remember when they sold(maybe still do) 30/06 accelerators with a 22 cal in a sabot for 30/06. Don’t remember how fast they went, but sure they were snappy.
    I believe that the claim was 4000 fps.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master WRideout's Avatar
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    I shoot the little Lee 100 gr in all my 30 cal pistols; 7.62 Tok, 7.62 Nagant, and 32-20. I size them according to what the particular gun likes.

    Wayne
    What doesn't kill you makes you stronger - or else it gives you a bad rash.
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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