Original Winchester 1892 in .32-20 WCF

[hockeynick39]

Looking for best boolit and possible load data for this round. I like heavy for caliber and won't rule out too much. Will post some rifle pictures a bit later. Thanks.

[Outpost75]

The barrel twist in the .32-20 is one turn in 20 inches so performance of heavier bullets is limited. Also, for rounds to feed from the tube magazine, overall cartridge length cannot exceed about 1.59-1.60." That means meplat to crimp groove length of bullet cannot exceed 0.3". As bullet weight increases, so does seating depth, reducing powder capacity.

Bullet I use in .32-20 revolvers is Accurate 31-105T. In my pre-WW2 .32-20 revolvers I use 3.2 grains of Bullseye, 8.5 grains of Alliant #2400 or 10 grs. of IMR4227. Heavier loads you will find in Ken Waters book are too much for the old revolvers and will loosen them up in no time, but are OK in your '92.

202705

IF you added a .090" long GC heel to the base of this bullet, it would then weigh about 120 grains. This would be very similar to the 31-120TG which Tom makes for the .30 M1 carbine, except for its increased bullet diameter and double-crimp groove which places the front groove in the proper location to maintain correct overall cartridge length in the .32-20 cartridge.

202706

A charge of 10 to 10.5 grains of Alliant #2400 is a good full charge load for the .32-20 Winchester 92 or the Ruger Buckeye Special revolver. You could also use a full case capacity charge of 4227, 4198 or RL7 without getting into any trouble.

[hockeynick39]

Thanks, but not too keen on gas checked boolits. I like the PBs. Going to be re-reading the Pet Loads section on the .32-20 to see if I missed anything. Anyway, I was thinking about this mold:

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=31-120F-D.png

However, if the 1:20" doesn't like them, then possibly this mold:

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=31-105C-D.png

[shdwlkr]

when I had a 32-20 I had a few NOE moulds for the 32-20 you might want to check them out also. do not remember loads as it was a while ago

[hockeynick39]

when I had a 32-20 I had a few NOE moulds for the 32-20 you might want to check them out also. do not remember loads as it was a while ago

You don't have the molds any more?

[shdwlkr]

Nope they went when the 32-20 went, divorce is a terrible thing

[Outpost75]

Thanks, but not too keen on gas checked boolits. I like the PBs. Going to be re-reading the Pet Loads section on the .32-20 to see if I missed anything. Anyway, I was thinking about this mold:

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=31-120F-D.png

However, if the 1:20" doesn't like them, then possibly this mold:

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=31-105C-D.png

Both of those good choices. Agree with you that GC isn't necessary below about 1500 fps from rifle and use of them just runs cost up.

I picked the particular bullet I did because I wanted to use one mold for both .32 S&W Long and .32-20 and the double-crimp groove enables me to seat bullets out to increase powder capacity in the .32 S&W Long. With 7 grains of Alliant #2400 the .32 S&W Long in a strong, postwar revolver with that bullet equals the .32 H&R Magnum or .32-20.

[smokeywolf]

Anxious to see the pics of the rifle.

[bob208]

I use the lyman 115 gr. mold made for the .32-20. when I ordered that mold over 40 years ago I got it in hp. it is gas check though. that bullet has dispatched a few ground hogs. that bullet also works in my .30 carbine.

[gundownunder]

If you want heavy for caliber, try this one
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=31-120D-D.png
It's a tumble lube design, with a bevel base to ease it into the delicate necks of the 32-20 cases.
With wheel weights plus 2% tin, it casts at 123 grains. It uses the entire neck area of the 32-20 case without protruding into the case, and is the correct nose length to cycle smoothly through the 32-20 rifle.

[tucumcari_kid]

I have a discontinued lee 311-119-1r (90302 no longer a good stock number). It's been sitting around for a couple of years and I just dusted it off for the nagant M1895, and a couple 32-20 revolvers. They are dropping right at 311 or 310.5 but I'm casting then hard. They look like this: 202875 I don't know if you can find that mold or like the round nose in the lever action. I could send you a dozen if you like (pm me your addy) I don't have a 311 sizer. I also used some 110gr hollow points that I had done by Maplewood a while back. He sized these at .311 bhn 10, with the gas check. I think these are 115 without the hollow point. These are fun:202872 311316 110 Gr HPGC

[runfiverun]

rcbs makes a nice 100+gr mold but they call it their 98gr rnfp.
if you happen to see one for sale somewhere I wouldn't hesitate to snag it up.
3.5grs of a fast powder [700-X type stuff] should get you to @1-K fps without any drama, it gets me near 900fps in my 7-1/2" barrel.

[Thin Man]

About a year ago I tested about 7 different boolit patterns in a friend's '92 rifle. The weight range for all of these went from 90 to 120 grain weight. To cut to the chase the single boolit that repeatedly gave the tightest groups over several different powders and charge weights was: Winchester brand single cavity mold marked 32 WCF, boolit weight 113 grains of ACWW. The boolits measured 0.312" straight out of the mold. I sized / lubed these in a 0.313" die. These are the traditional RF square base design. Group size was the priority and this boolit also kept it's tight groups at faster speeds. My final load data is posted on the side of the ammo box the rifle owner now has with the rifle, would have to call him for the detail.

[hockeynick39]

Thin man, if you could get the data and a picture or blueprint of the mold, that would be great. I have a PB gas checker by Pat Marlin that I use, so I will be able to get a little more oomph out of it and get it past 1100 fps with no issues. I have a Winchester brand single cavity that I use for my 1964 Winchester 1894 Ranger Carbine in .32 WS. They drop cleanly at .321 using COWW and those are some nice molds. Thanks for the information. Pictures coming soon.

[hockeynick39]

Decided to go with this boolit:

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=31-100F-D.png

I may be able to push this thing about 1700+ fps out of the 24" bbl on the ole 1892. Will be working up some loads through Ql and running them once the mould comes in. Will also be heat treating them and PB checking them, so shouldn't be an issue. Here is what QL estimates, and if this is possible from the Win. 1892, then, this is a viable deer load out to 200 yard!!!!!!!

Cartridge : .32-20 Win.
Bullet : ?? .314, Accurate 31-100F
Useable Case Capaci: 17.264 grain H2O = 1.121 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.592 inch = 40.44 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant 2400

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 68 10.24 1749 679 16483 1635 85.8 1.700
-18.0 69 10.50 1788 710 17503 1686 86.9 1.656
-16.0 71 10.75 1827 741 18574 1737 88.0 1.613
-14.0 73 11.01 1866 773 19698 1787 89.0 1.572
-12.0 75 11.26 1905 806 20876 1836 90.0 1.533
-10.0 76 11.52 1944 839 22112 1883 90.9 1.496
-08.0 78 11.78 1982 872 23408 1930 91.8 1.460
-06.0 80 12.03 2020 906 24767 1975 92.6 1.426
-04.0 81 12.29 2057 940 26192 2019 93.4 1.393 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 83 12.54 2095 975 27686 2062 94.1 1.361 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 85 12.80 2132 1009 29251 2103 94.8 1.331 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 86 13.06 2169 1045 30893 2142 95.5 1.302 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 88 13.31 2206 1080 32614 2180 96.1 1.273 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 90 13.57 2242 1116 34418 2216 96.6 1.246 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 92 13.82 2278 1153 36311 2251 97.1 1.221 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 93 14.08 2314 1189 38295 2284 97.6 1.196 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 85 12.80 2234 1108 35019 2103 98.9 1.243 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 85 12.80 2002 890 23763 2016 87.7 1.447

or (with dacron batting)

Cartridge : .32-20 Win.
Bullet : ?? .314, Accurate 31-100F
Useable Case Capaci: 17.264 grain H2O = 1.121 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 1.592 inch = 40.44 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Hodgdon Longshot

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 43 6.96 1634 593 18582 1054 100.0 1.692
-18.0 45 7.13 1660 612 19527 1073 100.0 1.658
-16.0 46 7.31 1686 631 20502 1091 100.0 1.625
-14.0 47 7.48 1711 650 21508 1109 100.0 1.594
-12.0 48 7.66 1736 669 22544 1128 100.0 1.564
-10.0 49 7.83 1760 688 23611 1146 100.0 1.536
-08.0 50 8.00 1785 707 24711 1164 100.0 1.509
-06.0 51 8.18 1808 726 25843 1182 100.0 1.483
-04.0 52 8.35 1832 745 27009 1200 100.0 1.458 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 53 8.53 1855 764 28209 1218 100.0 1.434 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 54 8.70 1878 783 29444 1236 100.0 1.410 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 55 8.87 1901 803 30714 1253 100.0 1.388 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 57 9.05 1924 822 32021 1271 100.0 1.367 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 58 9.22 1946 841 33364 1288 100.0 1.346 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 59 9.40 1968 860 34746 1306 100.0 1.326 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 60 9.57 1990 879 36167 1323 100.0 1.307 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 54 8.70 1903 804 33468 1204 100.0 1.364 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 54 8.70 1841 753 25334 1282 100.0 1.476