Any 32-20 load data advice?

[Box13]

I've had a S&W hand ejector for a couple years now.I think it dates to just around the time they started to harden the cylinders.I have some data for low pressure rounds of aprox. 12-15000 but the powders generally drop around 3g and there is a real chance of a double charge in that type of case.I read somewhere about using 6g of hs6 with a 95g cast boolit but have not been able to confirm that charge anywhere else.Are there any of you 32-20 reloaders out there with advice for me?Thanks in advance for your time...Robin

[Dean D.]

Take a peek at Glen Fryxell's article: http://www.lasc.us/FryxellPreachersGun.htm

Lots of great info in that well written article.

Personally all I ever shot in the S&W M&P I had was the Lyman 311008 115gr boolit with 4-4.5gr of Unique.

Good luck on your quest, that is a really fun and economical revolver!

[btroj]

My loads may be a little warmer Han you want. I use a 120 gr cast over 5 gr of Unique. My Marlin really likes that load.
Deans suggestion is well worth looking into. I think Unique is an excellent powder for this cartridge.

[Guesser]

For my old 32-20 revolvers, the newest is 1925, I use 3118 cast soft and 2.9 gr. of Trail Boss, I tried 2.4, but it was too light. Trail boss is bulky, tough to double charge.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
I only have one 32-40 revolver.
Took a DW model 15-2 and removed the cylinder. Bought a 32-20 DW cylinder mounting it on the origonal crane. Had John Taylor make a custon 32-20 barrel to fit the DW 15-2 frame.
Shoots like a champ. It would be a good improvement to get an origonal 32-20 ejector "star" as the 357 is just a shade to large to eject all brass 100%. Started at 4.5 grains Unique with a 95 grain RCBS. Went up to 5.5. 4.5 grains shoots nice tiny clover leafs at 15 yards.
Now trying the Lee 115 GC for the M1 Carbine. 4.5 , 5 and 5.5 grains Unique. Whichever shootas the best becomes my groundhog load for up close ditch / woods edge crawling.
As soon as our range gets the dirt work done I will know for sure.
Mike in ILL.

[Box13]

I read that article awhile back,very good.I think thats where I got the idea for 6g of hs6.I was hoping for a second reference.Just dont like the idea of a busted S&W because I didnt do enough research.Thanks for all your input...Robin

[sharps4590]

For about 30 years my standard load for all my 32-20's has been 5 grs. Unique under an RCBS 32-95 SWC. It's just a good, accurate and pleasant load for any 32-20 out there. Pure D death on cats.

Dean is absolutley correct, these are fun, economical and usually accurate revolvers. My ol' '92 in 32-20 ain't bad either!!

[Bret4207]

Ken Waters "Pet Loads" has an excellent article on loading the 32-20 revolver. No reloader should be without that book anyway.

[canyon-ghost]

I load 32-20 in TC Contender, RCBS 32-98-SWC bullet, 7.3 grains of 2400, winchester cases and primers. Through a rifle scope, it's that accurate.

http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx228/3rdshooter/contenders/32-20WCF005.jpg

[9.3X62AL]

From the article cited by Bret4207, by Ken Waters.......

With 115-120 grain cast boolits, Mr. Waters gave 5.5 to 6.0 grains of SR-4756 as his Pet Load for the 32-20 WCF revolver. I used the 5.5 grain amount in a Colt Police Positive Special out of deference to its lighter construction, and the 6.0 grain load in my S&W M&P and Colt SAA. Over time, I've found that 115-120 grain boolits shoot better in my 32-20 revos, while 95-100 grainers do better work in the 32 SWL and 32 Magnum.

I have yet to try Trail Boss in the 32-20 revolvers. It gave half-decent results in the 32-20 rifle, but were well under 1873 ballistics (1250-1300 FPS). I base this on lack of hyper-sonic "crack" while the rifle was being fired, and on point of impact at 100 yards. 2.5"-3.0" groups, though.

[rintinglen]

I have used Unique, in the 4.5 to 5.0 range in my 32-20 S&W. My favorite load is the Afore mentioned RCBS 32-98 SWC. In my gun, it outshoots the 311-008, the RCBS 32-84, THE 311-316, thw 311-465 and the SAECO 95 RN (I think it is their 321, but I am away from the bench right now.)

I recently loaded some 32-98 WC RCBS boolits over 3.2 grains of WW231 and was extremely happy with the result. Not only did it shoot well, but I can be sure at a glance it is not a "hot" load intended for my Browning M-92.