.308 bullets in a 32-20

[historicfirearms]

I found two boxes of the Speer 110 grain J-word "varminter" bullets on my shelf while looking for appropriate bullets for my Browning 92 in 32-20. I'm wanting to load up a hundred or so just to break in the rifle. I've got a new mold on order but am antsy to get shooting. None of my reloading manuals list .308 bullets in the 32-20 section but does anyone see me having any problems? Accuracy probably won't be the best but I think it would be ok. The rifle is unfired and I usually like to run some J-word through a new barrel to smooth things out before shooting cast.

[square butte]

I believe ideally you will want something .312 or .313. My Browning model 53 likes .313

[Drm50]

I'm familiar with the 110g Speer Varmiter. Shot a lot of them in Marlin 30/30 for varmits. Good accuracy. I have an original Win 53 and a turn of Century Marlin 1894 in 32/20. Several years ago I got the brain storm to try
.308 bullets in them. It didn't work out they shot all over at 40yds. I tried 110 in Sierra FMJ and a 115 Hp and Hornady 100gr 1/2 jacket. I have a lot of different Jacketed .312 & .314. Don't shoot that many of them they do excellent with cast from 98-115gr.

[joatmon]

You could always try it but 308 probably won't do much breaking in on a 312/313 bore?
Aaron

[ReloaderFred]

You always stand the chance of the bullets stripping the bore, and might cause more problems than not. I think I'd just wait until the right size bullets come along. I haven't had any problems finding bullets for the .32 H&R Magnum, and they can be used in the .32-20 and be the right diameter.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[northmn]

Takes quite a bit of bump to get a J bullet to slug a bore. Especially with the base enclosed. Try them maybe but I would not expect them to work.

DEP

[upnorthwis]

And how would you size the brass for a bullet that small? Seems like the neck would let it drop right through.

[shdwlkr]

I would slug the bore and see what the rifle told me was the right size. I saw a 32-20 rifle once that was really a 30-20 that someone had relined the barrel and they made it a .308 bore. Most of the 32-20 rifles I have seen like .312-.314 diameter bullets.

[missionary5155]

Good evening
Always slug a bore. Do not overlook the lead area. That easily can be a fatter diameter.
I have a DW Revolver in 32-20 that has a real .308 groove barrel and cylinder throats. Then there are other 32-20 revolvers that adhere to the old diameters and need fat slugs (.313) to shot well.
Not going to mention a couple levers that get real fat cast...
Mike in Peru

[BigEyeBob]

I swage those light 308 Jword projectiles down to 300"-301"
for my 300 Sherwood Martini . They work good .