Advice on 32-20 heavy bullet

[strangwn]

I need some advice on choosing a mold for heavy bullets, maybe 110 to 120 gr, for .32-20 S&W revolvers. I have not bought a revolver yet, so what kind of throat/groove diameter do they normally have? Not interested in full-power loads, only moderate loads that would be easy on the hardware. I would anticipate shooting only for plinking and punching holes. Any thoughts?

[leftiye]

I've got a 311316 Lyman mold (115 gr RFNGC), and It's the "bee's knees" as some here say. A lot like the Lee 30 cal. soup can (but prettier - I think). Was originally designed for 32-20, maybe that's why it works so good. Works fine in the other 32 pistols too - if you want a 115 gr boolit. I use it in 32 H&R mag, and 327 Fed. mag.

[beagle]

I'm shooting a 311008/HP in my Ruger Buckeye and I can't ask for more. You'd do well to take alook at it. Sizing at .311" and accuracy is good./beagle

[Bret4207]

What do you want? GC or PB? SWC/RN/FN/HP? I'm a huge fan of the 311316 Lyman, but the Lee Soup Can shoots great in my K-32. Truth be told I'd like a PB that shoots as good as my 311316 with the exact same profile. The 311008 is a bit different.

[strangwn]

Thanks for all the good advice so far. I like the looks of both the 311008 and the 311316, but I don't know what the Lee Soup Can looks like. What is it? My preference for bullet design would be plain base and SWC or FN or HP. Is the 311008 available with HP insert or do you use a HP tool after casting?

[Newtire]

My vote goes to either of these 2 designs:

The 120 gr Group buy Round Flat Nose or the Saeco #322.

Either of these have been proven performers and are plain base design so no gas check required. I shoot these in "top end" loads in my Ruger Buckeye (Blackhawk) & they are the best. For a slightly lighter weight boolit, I have to go with the RCBS 32-98.

[leftiye]

You can find a Lee soupcan to look at at Midway.com.

[beagle]

The 311008 is only available as a "solid". Grab a DC and have buckshot HP it with a .100" cavity and you'll be set and have one as a HP and one as a "solid"./beagle


Thanks for all the good advice so far. I like the looks of both the 311008 and the 311316, but I don't know what the Lee Soup Can looks like. What is it? My preference for bullet design would be plain base and SWC or FN or HP. Is the 311008 available with HP insert or do you use a HP tool after casting?

[cuzinbruce]

I have several S&W revolvers in that caliber, lot's of fun to shoot. For moulds, Lyman's 3118 (now 311008) is the standard and about 115 grains. Hollowpoint it was 31133. 3118 was a black powder design (it is just about the same as an old Winchester 32 WCF mould) so it doesn't have a crimp groove, if you feel you need one. Gas check it was 311316. I never felt any need for gas checks on a 32/20 pistol and hollow points are slow to cast so I would go with 3118 or equivalent from one of the other companies. I wouldn't go heavier in this caliber.
That said, RCBS 32-098SWC is a real nice choice, comes in about 100 grains. About the same profile, does have a little crimp groove as I recall. I have fired hundreds and hundreds.
Lighter yet would be 311419, about 85 grains, gas checked. But that is more for a rifle trying to duplicate the high speed loadings of the past.
In loading this cartridge, it always helps to check the cylinder throats and slug the barrel for diameter. As I recall, the one pistol I checked has .314 throats and a .314 bore. My Winchester rifle is only .311 bore, so there is likely to be a lot of variation. Colts are likely to be in between.
If you have old Handloader magazines, they had a pretty good article by Gil Sengel a few years ago on loading this for pistols.

[strangwn]

Newtire and All,
Thanks for your valued advice. Where can I go to see details of current and former Saeco molds, including #322?
Same for the Group Buy 120 gr? Other than CastPics, what other sources do you use for this kind of info?

[Newtire]

Newtire and All,
Thanks for your valued advice. Where can I go to see details of current and former Saeco molds, including #322?
Same for the Group Buy 120 gr? Other than CastPics, what other sources do you use for this kind of info?

Hi strangwn,

All of us here are a little that way so good name ya got for this group. "Normal" people worry me too much anyway!

Here is a link to one of the threads that talk about the 120 grain Wilbird RF Group buy. Also the Saeco#322 is still in print but it is listed as a rifle bullet I believe so if you were looking on line and looking under pistol moulds, that's why you couldn't find it. One of the guys here got me going on that mould & I'm liking how versatile it is.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=20689

Here is the Midway link to that mould. I think maybe Natchez might be cheaper but whether they have it is the question? Check around.

http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?categoryStrin (http://www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?categoryString=685***8657***92 46***&categoryId=9250&tabId=2&brandId=1684&refineSearchKeyword=&sort_results_by=manufacturer_a&pageNum=0&numberOfResults=20)
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[strangwn]

Newtire,
I really like the looks of that Willbird .314-120 RF. I want one of those if anyone is ready to let go! Think I will go to Swappin & Sellin right now and look for some bullets to try out.