BIG A## mistake today

[terryt]

Hi:
I made a big A## mistake today and went not only by but intoone of our LGS. I had been looking for an 1892 Winchester for about a year. I wanted a shooter with as good as possible bore.
The LGS had one in 32-20 with a mint bore. The gun is tight and does not appear to have been shot much. It was made in 1901. I have sent for a letter from the Cody Museum.
It has about 90% of the original finish on stock and the bluingis about the same. There is almost no sign of wear on the bolt face.
It has a 24 inch Octagon barrels that I like. I was very happy to get one with a bore that is a shiny as the day it left the factory. The rifling is as strong as I have seen in an older gun
I paid $ 1400.00 for it. I will now being looking for a bullet mold for it. It came with a box of new ammo and one box of brass and500 hundred cast boolits. Any suggestions on boolits and loads would be appreciated.
I will head out to the range Friday and shoot it. I let you know if it shoots as well as its looks.

Thanks,

Terryt

[dubber123]

Glad someone got the old girl that will appreciate it. I'd suggest slugging the bore, to see what it needs. Although not an original looking boolit, the RCBS 98GR. SWC shoots exceptionally well from my Marlin 32-20. It averages right around 1/2" at 50 yds. Have fun.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

It is quite understandable that you got excited, and forgot to tell us about the mistake.

I don't think anyone with this sort of interest could do better than buy Clyde Williamson's "The Winchester Lever Legacy". It is a massive great doorstep of a book, and you shouldn't let the author's folksy manner, illustrations, artefacts, western anecdotes etc. blind you to the fact that it contains the most meticulous program of practical testing I have ever seen from a private individual. It is long out of print, and a very expensive book on www.bookfinder.com (http://www.bookfinder.com) , but it has to be less than a tenth of a rifle.

I wonder if any publishers read these boards? If so, please, please, please track down the rights and republish this book! Still, as Jeff Cooper used to say when he was looking for a manufacturer for his Scout Rifle concept, I've got mine.

[cuzinbruce]

Do you mean: The Winchester Lever Legacy ? I didn't find the Legend one but I did find this.

[pworley1]

My 32 20's like the RCBS 310-120.

[cuzinbruce]

I have one with a round barrel that I bought long ago. Must like it as I have kept it 4 decades! Lyman 3118 is almost exact copy of the original Winchester molds, which only differed in having a bevel base. Weight was about 115 grains. Lyman also made very similar bullet molds with hollow points, gas checks, lighter weight. And the RCBS SWC design works great too.

[FergusonTO35]

Drool, drool, drool....

Until I can afford one, or somebody gets off their rear and puts the .32-20 back into production again, (are you listening Henry?) I'll just have to be happy sending 309-113-RF's out of my 336T. I just pretend it's a .32-20 Magnum!! B-)

[northmn]

I have a Marlin 94 32-20 newer made and have not found it to be very fussy. I had a Lee 120 grain mold that drops 311 as cast and have used that in it with good results such that I have not seen a need to get anything else. I also have a 100 grain 32 cal pistol mold but it lacks a crimp groove. As to powders, I have been using up leftover pistol powders that I do not use in anything else but it does not use them up much. Starline nickel plated brass. Loaded around normal 32-20 velocities or a little hotter like up to 1400 it shoots about anything.

DP

[Ballistics in Scotland]

Do you mean: The Winchester Lever Legacy ? I didn't find the Legend one but I did find this.


Ah yes, my apologies. Simple slip of the brain, now corrected above, could happen to anyone.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

Drool, drool, drool....

Until I can afford one, or somebody gets off their rear and puts the .32-20 back into production again, (are you listening Henry?) I'll just have to be happy sending 309-113-RF's out of my 336T. I just pretend it's a .32-20 Magnum!! B-)

Henry? I bet test targets at Winchester include an effigy of whoever thought of committing them to sintered metal. With all the advances that have been made in genuine machining - CNC, carbide tooling and even electrolytic milling and spark erosion of genuine steel, it always amazes me that modern manufacturers seem to dread actually doing it.

[DougGuy]

Boy you KNOW we all want to see some nice PICS now too huh? Now that you got US drooling too! :bigsmyl2:

[Dan Cash]

I have an Accurate mould http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=31-105C-D.png which feeds my Marlin 94 and an 1892 rebored from a ruined 25-20, a Colt Army Special and soon, an Uberti SAA .32-20. 9 grains of 2400 gives 1650 in the rifles and very serviceable accuracy and target effect. Am still experimenting with the revolvers but 7.6 g 2400 over a small rifle primer and this bullet gives 1200 mor or less and super accuracy from the Colt. I am contemplating upping the charge to 8 grains which might serve both rifle and revolver. If I could define the pressures, 9 grains for all might be the ticket. It sure is fun on prairie dogs.

[Mgderf]

I just purchased a Lee mold 311-93-1R
93gr .32-20 RN
www.titanreloading.com/molds/32-20-32-sw-long-32-colt-np/lee-6-cav-mold-311-93-1r- (http://www.titanreloading.com/molds/32-20-32-sw-long-32-colt-np/lee-6-cav-mold-311-93-1r-)

I actually bought it for loading .32S&W Long, but it makes real purdy boolits, and my revolver likes them.

They also have one in a 100gr pill.

[terryt]

Hi:

Thanks for all the reply's.

Terryt

[3leggedturtle]

Well the old saying goes, you don't pay to much, you just buy to soon! I could of had a 80% M92 in 38WCF with a great bore for $1300 3 years ago and didn't buy it. I don't have loads for you, but look forward to a range report. Todd/3leg

[Ballistics in Scotland]

I have an Accurate mould http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=31-105C-D.png which feeds my Marlin 94 and an 1892 rebored from a ruined 25-20, a Colt Army Special and soon, an Uberti SAA .32-20. 9 grains of 2400 gives 1650 in the rifles and very serviceable accuracy and target effect. Am still experimenting with the revolvers but 7.6 g 2400 over a small rifle primer and this bullet gives 1200 mor or less and super accuracy from the Colt. I am contemplating upping the charge to 8 grains which might serve both rifle and revolver. If I could define the pressures, 9 grains for all might be the ticket. It sure is fun on prairie dogs.

Unless it is something really rare or pristine on the outside, I approve of the reboring. Just imagine meeting Mr. Browning in the afterlife, and telling him you bequeathed one of his rifles with the bore rusted out... If non-shooting collectors don't like it, well non-verbal noises to them.

[Bear Tooth Billy]

I just got a 92 Winchester in 32/20 made in 1903, and went to order brass for it and everyone is out. The bore looks good, so
I will try some .313" boolets first, once I get hold of some brass.

[clum553946]

Grumpa might have some for sale

[mustanggt]

I have an 1892 in 32WCF made in 1918. I also have a 1905 S&W 3rd change in the same caliber. The Smith slugged .312 so I tried that in the 92...big mistake. It shot like a shotgun and I mined a lot of lead out of it afterwards. Slugged the rifle and it was .315. Made appropriately sized boolits and it shoots 1-2" groups at 50yds. Love that little rifle.

[KirkD]

... It has about 90% of the original finish on stock and the bluingis about the same. There is almost no sign of wear on the bolt face.
It has a 24 inch Octagon barrels that I like. I was very happy to get one with a bore that is a shiny as the day it left the factory. The rifling is as strong as I have seen in an older gun
I paid $ 1400.00 for it.
By gum you got a good deal!!! I've had a few Model 1892's and if I saw one in that condition and at that price, I'd reach so fast for my wallet that they would hear the whoosh clear across the store.