Marlin 1894 32-20 boolit and powder choice,

[adrians]

Hi i have just got my 1894 32-20 home and i'm new to this caliber so i am curious as to what powder and boolit works for you.
The rifle was born in 1901 so she's old and tired and i don't need to punish her so mild and light is the way to go .
Have a great sunday..:bigsmyl2:

[btroj]

I use a 120 rnfp GB run by Willbird many years ago. That bullet and 5 gr of Unique are quite accurate, easy on pressure, and easy to load. They make up more than 80 percent of what I shoot in my Marlin.
I think one of the NOE bullets in the 120 gr range would be ideal, look and see if they have any available on their website. Go plain base, you won't be loading into the pressure range where a GC is needed.

That should be a sweet shooting rifle. I really enjoy mine, even if it is over a century younger.

[Nobade]

#3118 over enough FFFg to give .100" compression. Shoots lights out and easy on old rifles.

[sparky45]

I'll second the 3118 Lyman, but I don't load blackpowder.

[adrians]

HMMMM maybe i aught to get some 3fg and try ,i haven't used black afore :shock:

[gundownunder]

I wouldn't use black in a levergun, there's just too much mess to clean up, but that's just me.
My Marlin and I both like a 115 gr rnfp with 9 gr of 2400. This is an accurate load that is easy on the brass and has enough oomph to smack down 100 yd rams.

[adrians]

thanks guy's , i have some Unique and 2400 and a couple of others so i think maybe 4.0 of unique to start ?
i'll also try the 2400.:grin:
The load books vary depending on how old the book is ect .
i.e the lyman #49 starts with 3.6 and max is 4.5, for 311008 non gc
the cast booolit lyman says 4.2 to max of 5.5 for the 311316 g/c
both boolits weigh in at 115 grns.
both run around 1000 to 1100 fps

Does boolit design make all the difference.?

[sharps4590]

I like the RCBS-98SWC over 5 grs. of Unique. I wouldn't think you would need to start at 4 in a rifle. I have a 120 gr. Lee mold but have come to prefer the RCBS. 9 grs. of 2400 should be a good load also. Great, fun and effective small game cartridge, I love mine, all 4 of them!

[Shooter]

I use a 311316 with and without the GC over 5 Gr. of Unique with great sucess in my Contender.
YMMV

[adrians]

yer i was thinking 4 grns was a little low for a rifle , my barrel is 28" long .
i'll try the 2400 at 9grns and some unique at 4.5 to start .
thank you gentlemen...

[Nobade]

I wouldn't use black in a levergun, there's just too much mess to clean up, but that's just me.
My Marlin and I both like a 115 gr rnfp with 9 gr of 2400. This is an accurate load that is easy on the brass and has enough oomph to smack down 100 yd rams.

What mess? If your cases are properly annealed the only fouling present is in the bore and fired cases. In a Marlin, take out the bolt and run a couple wet patches down the bore. Follow by a dry one and an oiled one. You're done. Bolt back in, and it's good to go. Much easier than smokeless, with the nasty solvents and brushing and such to clean it. You do have to wash the cases out though...

[northmn]

There are a large number of powders to use in a 32-20. I like either Unique but have been suing up some Green Dot at 4.5 gains and 1300 fps more or less under the lee 100 grain 32 cal round nose pistol bullet. Its similar to the early standard factory loads. I quit hot laoding mine and went back to closer to original loadings.

DP

[adrians]

Thanks DP, i wonder how red dot would act in this cartridge, ever tried it ?