Light Loads for a 32-20 Marlin 1894CL

[Crooked Creek]

Just got a new Marlin 1894CL Limited Edition in 32-20 and am looking for some good lighter loads. Also, does anyone know the actual bore size to save me the trouble of slugging or casting the bore ? I have a bunch of .314" bullets for my 32 H & R Ruger Single Six that I could size down to .311 or .312 (or?) as required. I also have a couple of old Lyman molds, one plain base and one GC that I plan to use. Most loads would be in the 800 to 1200 FPS range for fun and quieter shooting. If I need something hotter, I can get the loads out of the various manuals.
Thanks,
R.A.

[dubber123]

I size to .312" in my CL. 4.5 grs. of Unique should put you at the high end of your velocity range. For slower loads, I would suggest Bullseye.

My normal load is in the 1,400 fps. range, and is a 98 gr. plain base boolit. I doubt you will need the GC in your velocity range. Good luck.

[fourarmed]

I have recently been loading 6.0/SR-4756 behind the Lyman 3118 (or 311008) in a Contender. It leaves the 10" barrel at just under 1100 fps. I shot a scoped field pistol score of 37x40 with it this month, which says about all you would want to know regarding accuracy and light recoil. Ken Waters listed it as his favorite "pet load" for the .32-20 in a revolver.

[Jon K]

I'm using 4.5 gr Unique/311008/.314 in my 1894CL.
You should still slug the bore, that way you know what you're dealing with.

Jon

[Chuck 100 yd]

I dont have a CL but my Browning 53 and my Uberti 1873 both in .32-20 just love the Lyman
115 gr PB bullet and 7 gr. 2400 . I cast of WW and size to .314 . Enjoy

[Marine Sgt 2111]

I slugged my CL and it was .312" with tight spots at the breech end and at the muzzle. However, the same rifle shot a gas checked .3105 cast dia bullet into 1.800" at 150 yards. I used 10 grains of 2400, starline cases and a 10 brinell alloy to do that.:Fire:

[Crooked Creek]

Thanks for all the good info guys, you've given me some things to play with. It looks like I may want to try several different sizer dies from .310" through .314" and see what happens. Yeah, I know gas checks aren't going to really be of benefit at these velocities, but two of the molds (yep, I found a third one) are GC designs, and I have a combined mix of about 8,000 Lyman and Hornady 30 cal. checks, so I may as well see what they do. The three older Lyman molds I plan to try are : 1) #311419, 88 gr. G.C., F.N. 2) #311227, 90 gr. P.B., R.N. and 3) #311316, 112 gr. G.C., F.N.
Thanks again,
Roger

[9.3X62AL]

CC, I've been running the Lyman #311316 @ .313" in my .312" Marlin 94CCL, and 10.0 grains of 2400 as listed above has been doing some fine things for me. Not a "light" load, nor is it a max load--but it REALLY shoots.