Ruger BH 30 to 32-20?

[msp2640]

Gents - Figured I'd reach out to the more knowledgeable than I, but is it possible to have a Ruger Blackhawk 30 Carbine cylinder rechambered to 32-20? Thinking about this at work, so I don't have my loading manuals with both cartiridges dimensions and OAL. But more so, would the barrel's twist rate be close to correct for 115-120gr cast boolits at "medium" speed, as in not just above 22LR stuff, but not scorching jacketed rifle speed either. Anyone have an opinion on such a modification if possible? Thanks Bill L

[Reg]

Might be possible but sure would be a shame to do it. Don't sell that 30 Carbine short. With proper loading it will actually beat the 32-20 in all ways. Remember, the 32-20 has a thin case not only making loading sometimes difficult but also limiting what you can do pressure wise. The Carbine has a much stronger case.
The main complaint with the 30 Carbine in a pistol is the loud report. A lot of times this comes from rifle loads used in the shorter handgun barrel, too much of the slower burning powder is actually burning outside the barrel. The flash at nigh time is also something to see. By using quicker burning powders both of these problems can be overcome.

:drinks:

[msp2640]

I do have a pair of M1 carbines and the ammo to go along with them, however the thought of a 32-20 handgun with a 7 1/2 in barrel has always been something I've longed for. I do have ammo, brass, bullets and dies for the 32-20, so the ammo part is a non issue. In Mass our newly made handgun regs are quite difficult to deal with, and as much as I'd like to own a USFA SAA 32-20, I can not legally own one. So my thoughts have evolved into converting a Ruger (new or used) and legally obtainable and having it rechambered. I'm sure I'm not the first here who has had ammo, brass, etc. first, and then just had to go and get the gun to shoot it with - I think this would be the 4th or 5th time for me - Bill L

[Poygan]

I have a new model Ruger in 30 carbine. I have had problems with cast in the carbine loads so I often use 32-20 brass in it with no problems. I like the rimmed rounds as opposed to the binding I've experienced with the rimless carbine. I resize the 32-20 brass with the full length carbine sizer. I see no reason to convert to the 32-20 when it works fine as is.

[Mohillbilly]

Shorten the 32 H&R brass and run it in place of the carbine brass.

[DaveCampbell]

Before I went to the expense of converting an existing Blackhawk to .32-20, I'd wait for a year. There may be one coming;)

[runfiverun]

might be. that would be cool.
i just trim 32-20 brass down [just enough so the crimp is in the right place for the boolit] and use a 313 sized 98 gr rnfp boolit now in my 30 carbine revolver.
it shoots flat,and works on small game quite well.
i even put a deer down with it at @ 70 yds.
4 steps and flump on it's face, complete penetration,went through both lungs right above the heart.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

Nothing has to be modified. Following an excellent article written by Beagle in the reference section of this forum, I have successfully shot slightly shortened 32-20 cases loaded with the same cast bullets as I use in the 30 carbine cases;accuracy is excellent and there is never a problem with OAL, crimp or extraction. Give it a try. LLS

[Bret4207]

Brownells was offering a 30 cal Ruger cylinder blank for the BH. IIRC they were bored .308 and the cylinder stop notches were cut, ready to chamber to 32/20. Well, 30-20 actually!

[MT Gianni]

I decided not to buy a converted one in the late 80's. It is possible.

[troy_mclure]

They made the Buckeye special.

[msp2640]

Gents - Thanks for the input on this. I think I'll definitely look at this idea a bit closer, since I have a good amount of loaded 32-20 ammo and new brass that is just crying out to be used. I have not checked the twist rate info, but to those that have used 3220 ammo in the carbine cylinders, any issues with stabilizing the bullets - I'd tend to doubt there would be, since the bullets weights and speeds are about the same, but figured I'd ask the experienced - Thanks again Bill

[McLintock]

Well, I tried it all ways, 30 Carbine cylinder with 32-20 brass and bullets sized to .311" for the .308 barrel; shot really good, no problems, bit of a pain to reload. Then, got a cylinder from Brownells, had it chambered to 32-20 and used it with the .308" barrel, shot about the same, less of a problem to reload. Then, got a barrel off a .327 Federal Blackhawk off Gunbroker.com and put it on, came up with this one, I call it my 32-20 Super Blackhawk. Would like one on the Mid size frame, but they're kind of expensive, so this one does it for me; put it together myself.
Http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1620/1303399/7384995/400488145.jpg
McLintock

[beagle]

Man, that's a beauty. I'm jealous. I have both a Buckeye and a .30 Carbine. Neither gets the use they should because of the barrel length during my ramblings here on the farm.

What I'd really like is the mid frame size too as both of these are extremely large for the calibers involved.

I could live with the .30 Carbine bobbed to 5 1/2" for handier carry and load shortened .32-20s for easier loading. Haven't thought about using .32 Mags in the .30 Carbine. I'll have to look at that too./beagle



Well, I tried it all ways, 30 Carbine cylinder with 32-20 brass and bullets sized to .311" for the .308 barrel; shot really good, no problems, bit of a pain to reload. Then, got a cylinder from Brownells, had it chambered to 32-20 and used it with the .308" barrel, shot about the same, less of a problem to reload. Then, got a barrel off a .327 Federal Blackhawk off Gunbroker.com and put it on, came up with this one, I call it my 32-20 Super Blackhawk. Would like one on the Mid size frame, but they're kind of expensive, so this one does it for me; put it together myself.
Http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1620/1303399/7384995/400488145.jpg
McLintock

[Green Frog]

... or you could get the currently available 327 Fed Mag Black Hawk 8 shooter in stainless with a 5 1/2" barrel and be ballistically superior to all of that with two more shots to boot. Just sayin'... ;)

Froggie

[jed]

When I sent my three screw into ruger for the transfer bar mod I told the cylinder was to tight and also asked why they did not make a 3220 cylinder for it. Got it back and I had to pay 45 dollars to get the gun from the UPS guy. A lot confused till I say an additional cylinder in the box. It will fire 30 m1's and 3220 and like mentioned before I full length size with the 30 m1 die. I use the 311008 bullet in both and it casts at .314 so I step it down to .311 then .309. A bit of a pain, but accuracy pays off. Unique, 2400 and some old AL 8 performs well in it. With Caldwell electronic ear protection I can use it to hunt with.