subsonic cast bullets in .32/20?

[BJK]

I did a search for ".32/20" and found nothing, hence this post. I'm also going to start reloading for .300BLK, and I got to thinking and that's always dangerous. I know original loadings for the cartridge were close to subsonic. Frankly they were pretty anemic compared to what the cartridge will do today in a modern firearm. I have a load for it that drives a 125gr jacketed bullet at 1980 fps (edit: correction, that would be a 110gr bullet). Far from the original lead bullet load.

I have a 10" Contender barrel chambered in it (.308 bore) that has done nothing for quite a few years. I'm fairly certain that it has a 1:10 twist. I'm thinking that it would make a good candidate for relatively light bullets driven to subsonic velocity. I think it would be fun to do and quiet fun at the range. I can't see much practical use for it other than maybe shooting small game.

At this point I'm just thinking about it. I have too many other things going on for when the weather warms up to get to it immediately. I also need to get a mold for the right bullet.

I'm thinking something like these for use in both the Contender and a .300BLK AR pistol. If used in the AR it would be supersonic. I intend to coat with Hi-Tek.

https://noebulletmolds.com/site/product-category/308-311/htc310-135-rn-by3/
https://noebulletmolds.com/site/product-category/308-311/htc310-150-sp-b01/

Does it sound like a plan that has a chance? My mind is definitely open to suggestions.

TIA

[bobthenailer]

I have a RPM SS pistol in 30/20 i use the RCBS 165 gr cast bullet @ 1,250 fps with excellent accuracy equiling jacketed bullets.

[upnorthwis]

I also have a 10" Contender barrel. The only bullet that shoots with any accuracy in mine is an LBT 309-115FN. Am presently using 5.6 gr. WW231. It goes about 1100 fps. I've never measured the twist. If it's 10" it would seem that it should shoot larger bullets better, but doesn't.

[BJK]

I also have a 10" Contender barrel. The only bullet that shoots with any accuracy in mine is an LBT 309-115FN. Am presently using 5.6 gr. WW231. It goes about 1100 fps. I've never measured the twist. If it's 10" it would seem that it should shoot larger bullets better, but doesn't.

They were made with a 1:14" twist too. Maybe that's what you have?

[cwlongshot]

I shoot my share!!

I have a H&R single shot with a stubbed barrel from a SMLE Enfield so its twist is about 1:9. I shoot 140g MP HPs with 4227 into delightfully small groups and not make much noise. ;)

CW

[PositiveCaster]

My old .32-20 T/C had a 1:14” as I recall, low-velocity cast bullets over 130 grains didn’t group well. My current .32-20 barrel is a .308” 1:10” and shoots looooong 220-grain RN jacket bullets subsonic (~1075 fps) pretty well, so shorter cast bullets should work fine for the OP.



.

[jsizemore]

I shot the 30/20 in my TC for years with H&G #254 subsonic. Taco hold with a 24x scope didn't let me push the 115 gr bullet too hard. As long as the bullet touched the lands it shot really good groups at 100 yards/meters. I only partially neck sized the case so it would keep it centered in the chamber. I used powder around the speed of Unique or Universal Clays.

[garandsrus]

The Lyman 311008 is a great 32-20 mold. It shoots great in a 12” Contender.

Try a search on 32-20 here and you will have a lot of reading to do.

[Outpost75]

Not sure exactly what the OP wants to do. So I am describing my current brainstorm...

My Ruger .30 Carbine Blackhawk will fire accurately with either .32-20 or .30 M1 Carbine ammo.

The Ruger revolver is more accurate than my 1944 DCM Inland M1 Carbine, so I sold the M1 and am contemplating having John Taylor fabricate a barrel to fit my small-frame H&R pre-WW2 .44/.410 Garden Gun.

Previously John did a .45 ACP barrel for me to fit the H&R receiver which had a rim seat lathe-cut on the breech face and his rimless extractor/ejector works equally well with either .45 ACP or .455 Webley rounds.

Plan here is to have him fit and chamber a fast-twist Green Mountain 8-inch twist .300 BO barrel, chambering it for .30 M1 carbine, while also having a rim seat for .32-20 brass and his rimless ejector which will function with either rimmed or rimless rounds. Chamber will be throated to permit seating #311299 cast in .30 carbine or .32-20 brass to its crimp groove. A case full of 4895, RL15 or Varget should be subsonic or close to it. Rifle will still be useable with either .32-20 or .30 M1 carbine factory ammo, but the faster twist and longer throat permits seating heavier bullets out to exploit all the available powder capacity, and to use a full case of rifle powder compressed for low velocity, as well as to provide adequate stability and accuracy using minimum "cat sneeze" loads of the lowest velocity which will exit the barrel. No worries about dealing with excess unused powder capacity or forming .300 BO cases. Use common and plentiful .30 Carbine brass or Starline .32-20s.

I plan to have the Green Mountain barrel finished to 25 inches, muzzle threaded for suppressor, and thread protector provided. Will have muzzle machined to accept an M14 front sight. Breech end of barrel will have half-rib with Picatinny rail installed for optics and XS ghost ring peep machined into and fitted into rear of the rail. Optics can be used for load development or low light use and sturdy back-up iron sights will be readily available.

My two cents.

[quail4jake]

THe original 1882 .32 WCF load was 115 gr boolit @ 1180 fps, the first smokeless load of 1895 was the same boolit @ 1280 fps. I have tweaked the 1895 load down to 1050 using 3.5 gr titegroup and the NOE 102 gr rnfp which is very mild and quiet, groups great. Is that what you're looking for?

[BJK]

Quail4jake, yes, but basically I couldn't find any data with a search. I did try. Now I know that I'm not full of manure in my thinking. I couldn't see why it wouldn't work subsonic with less case capacity than the .300BLK. Of course I won't be pushing really heavy bullets out of it as I will with the Blackout.

Thanks guys! Now I need time to try it. Hopefully it'll happen soon.