New Browning 53 32-20

[RickinTN]

Hello all!
My lovely wife has purchased for me a Browning reproduction of the Winchester model 53 chambered in 32-20. I will probably pick it up tomorrow. As I don't currently have a mold for such a chambering I purchased a good stash of Hornady 100 grain XTP hollow point bullets. These will be what I will start loading for the rifle, soon, I hope.
What are your favorite mid-range loads for 32-20 rifle with 100 grain jacketed bullets. Looking for velocities in the low to mid-teens I hope. I have a good selection of suitable powders I think so tell me what works for you.
I would also be interested in what mold you prefer for 32-20 rifles and maybe I can hunt one down.
Thanks for your help!
Rick

[Jim22]

You are a lucky man. Your bride loves you and wants you happy. I admit I had to look up the Winchester 53. It looks like it was based on the '92 action. I am envious. You have a very nice woods walking rifle. Now if you can find some ammo. I have noticed that factory ammo for .25-20 and .32-20 lists for about $70-80 for a box of 50.

Congrats...

Jim

[RickinTN]

Thank you Jim, and yes, I am a lucky man. I have already obtained brass, bullets, and dies. I think I have appropriate powders for what I want to load. Now to find out just what that is from those who already load for 32-20 rifles.
Take care,
Rick

[bosterr]

I use an Accurate 311-115J mold which is a 115 gr. GC RFN with 14.0 gr. of Accurate 1680 for 1550 FPS in my 24 inch barrelled 94 Marlin.

[Wilderness]

In an original M53 I shot 15 gns 4227 with a 100 gn soft point bullet. Velocity was about 2000 fps. It worked well on pigs, but required a rib shot.

Best ever result with .32-20 was an approach to a stock dam in the middle of the day. The dam was away from cover, so I was not expecting action, just checking for wallows that might have indicated dawn or dusk visitors. I did take the precaution of stopping the vehicle back from the dam, and then walked up - with just the six shots in the rifle.

Surprise! There were 12 pigs in and around the dam, including a big boar and a couple of others out in the middle of the water. Strategic considerations were (1) the boar had to be down before I ran out of ammo, and (2) preferably no bodies to be fished out of the dam. On the latter point I was confident that with the .32-20 the shot pigs would get themselves out of the water. With only six shots this whole show was going to have to be done with care. The sneak to a tree (for a rest) took me to within a few yards of the nearest one. That was a head shot. Then I got a shoulder shot on a half grown pig on the other side of the dam. The three big ones in the water were still floundering for the bank. Three rib shots (leaving a spare shot for the boar) were supposed to see them run out on to the flat and roll over. Instead, all three died in the dam, leaving me free to shoot another smaller one that had not yet made good his escape. Six out of six; failure on strategic consideration #2; but definitely proved that a 100 gn jacketed .32-20 bullet (at speed) will kill pigs with a rib shot.

I did shoot other pigs with that rifle while I was on "reduced recoil" on account of a broken arm. All were careful rib shots with full speed jacketed bullets, and all worked as required.

For a gas check bullet (#311116 or #311576HP) the most accurate load was 12 gns 2205/H4227. For non gas check (#311008 or WRACo original) 4.5 or 5.0 gns Unique was about right. The WRACo bullet was decidedly superior to #311008 in my rifle and in a couple of other .32-20s (Marlin and Browning).

[RickinTN]

Thanks guys for the suggestions and Wilderness for the story to boot! I would like to be there with you the next time that happens!
Keep 'em coming,
Rick

[samari46]

A good mold in 32-20 would be Lyman's 311316 which is a gas checked bullet, they also made another 3118 which is a non gas checked bullet. Nominal weight is 115 grains. But that can vary as to your alloy. Frank

[smkummer]

Remember the original design of the ideal/Lyman 3118/311008 115 grain bullet for the 32-20 crimps on the ogive of the bullet and used a case full of blackpowder to prevent set back when fully loaded in a magazine tube. I have no issues using that bullet with smokeless powder in my colt revolvers but a buddy of mine can’t use it in his original Win. 73 for cowboy action because of set back. The above suggestion of number 311316 would be favorable over 311008.

[T-Bird]

I bought one of these back in the '90's. I love it, but haven't shot it in a while. I remember that I tried several powders, a couple cast boolits,( 1 was 311316) and in my hands, mine shot better with the 100gr jacketed. The cast were ok, maybe 2.5 to 3 in at 50 yds from a rest with a tang sight. I can shoot better than that from a rest. Its like a 30 Carbine "lite".

[missionary5155]

Maybe was mentioned but we found a 115 grain FN to be the best thwapper we have used at any speed.

[sharps4590]

Paul Matthews wrote a book titled "40 Years With the 45-70." I think I should write one titled "40 Years With the 32-20." I really like the RCBS, 32-098-SWC over 5 grs of Unique. That has been my go to load since I bought my first 32-20 over 40 years ago and has accounted for untold numbers of vermin and small game up to coyote size, in rifles and revolvers.

Several years ago I came into a surfeit of SR's 7625 and 4756. 5 to 5.5 grs. of 7625 works just as well but, that is a discontinued powder. 10 grs. of 2400 was Elmer Keith's load and it was published until recently, I understand. I chronoed the Unique and 2400 loads and there wasn't enough difference to spit at so I've abandoned the 2400. W-231 has also always given satisfactory results.

[Bent Ramrod]

If you want blistering velocities (>1400 ft/sec) with cast boolits, a gas check design like the Ideal 311316 will probably do you best. But unless there is some OAL complication, (like the cylinder of my Colt Army Special, which needs a shorter nose on the boolit to fit in the cylinder), the good old Ideal 3118 is my go-to.

Get a Lee Factory Crimp die or a C-H Taper Crimp die and you should have no problems with the boolit being pressed into the powder space or jumping the standard roll crimp.

I read Elmer Keith’s recommendation but chickened out at 9 gr 2400. Shoots pretty good in rifle or SAA revolver, as long as the crimp is good, which the Lee die ensures.

[Jim22]

I am curious about the reproduction Browning. I bought one - an 1886 in .45-70 back in the 80's. A nice looking rifle I did not like the sights. A square post on the front that was not removable and an open semi Buckhorn on the rear. I wanted a 1/16" brass bead and a peep but could nut find any. Have they improved the sights since then?

Jim

[Glwenzl]

I’d be interested in hearing the groove size if you ever slug it

[gmsharps]

I’ve had good luck in my browning shooting a miha 100gr fp sized to .313 with 50-50 alox. Using 7.5 grs. Of lil-gun. Shot some unique but I guess my rifle prefers lil-gun.

Gmsharps