looking for .32 WCF recipes with a high load density

[Ustas B Slim]

To the Esteemed Collection of the Wise and Erudite,

I am looking for recommendations for a high density load for my .32 WCF that yields low pressure, velocities in the 900fps range out of my wife and daughter's Pasta SAA clones with 4 3/4 barrels for Cowboy Action Shooting.

My current load is a 115 pill (.313 from https://cowboybullets.com/32-cal-115-grain_p_11.html ) over 4.6gr of Unique with a CCI 400 SRP.

My goal is to teach my youngest daughter to reload the .32WCF and I want a powder that makes a double charge observable by eye. And of course I want limited leading on non-GC boolits and small velocity SDs and meters well in a Dillion Percussion powder measure.

Here is my current "menu" of options:



As Text:


Burn Mfg Powder VDM Gr per CC Max Load Load Starting Load
Rate Density/cc gr Density CCs Load gr Density CC

9 Alliant Red Dot 0.1413 7.077 4.10 0.58 3.69 0.52
11 Hodgdon Clays 0.1462 6.840 4.50 0.66 4.05 0.59
13 Hodgdon HI-SKOR 700-X 0.1343 7.446 3.90 0.52 3.51 0.47
20 Alliant Green Dot 0.1262 7.924 4.50 0.57 4.05 0.51
34 Alliant Unique 0.1092 9.158 4.60 0.50 4.14 0.45
38 Alliant Herco 0.1122 8.913 4.90 0.55 4.41 0.49
57 Alliant 2400 0.0742 13.477 8.30 0.62 7.47 0.55
69 IMR 4227 0.0769 13.004 9.70 0.75 8.73 0.67
71 Accurate 744 0.0752 13.307 8.50 0.64 7.65 0.58
72 Accurate 1680 0.0655 15.267 13.00 0.85 11.70 0.77
77 Alliant Reloader 7 0.0728 13.736 15.50 1.13 13.95 1.02
79 IMR 4198 0.0792 12.626 12.40 0.98 11.16 0.88

References
1 https://hodgdonpowderco.com/wp-conte...teschart-1.pdf Nov-23 Burn Rate
2 https://www.tacticoolproducts.com/powder.pdf Density

Thoughts?

Thanks in advance

[ShooterAZ]

Unique, Red Dot, 231, and Clays are all pretty "fluffy" powders. Trail Boss is even fluffier. I question your load data source though, because both my current Lyman manuals suggest that you are over max with 4.6 grains of Unique with a 115 grain bullet using the handgun data sections. Rifle data is different matter. Perhaps they are just being a little conservative? I really don't know, as I don't own a 32-20 (32WCF).

[Ustas B Slim]

I question your load data source though, because both my current Lyman manuals suggest that you are over max with 4.6 grains of Unique with a 115 grain bullet using the handgun data sections. Rifle data is different matter. Perhaps they are just being a little conservative? I really don't know, as I don't own a 32-20 (32WCF).

ShooterAZ, my wife have been shooting the 4.6gr Unique load since the early 2000s in SASS shoots out of not particularly strong Armi San Marcos Colt SAA clones, a vintage 73 and a vintage Colt Lightening. No signs of over pressure in literally 10s of thousands of rounds. I am still reloading some of the original brass from when we started.

I test fire the first 20 rounds and random sample of around 12 to 24 rounds more out of every reloading session. I use a Ruger Blackhawk Buckeye Special for pistol test fires and a modern production Marlin 94CL. I inspect the spent brass for over pressure indicators and chrono for velocity. So far, by the Grace of G_D no issues. Don remember where I got the 4.6gr load data originally. However as I finish the 2000s vintage Unique, I will be reducing the powder to 4.5 gr on any new purchased Unique. The brass used over the years has been Winchester, Remington and Star Line.

[Outpost75]

I load 9.5 grains of IMR4227 with Accurate 31-105T in my S&W Hand Ejector.

[TGM]

The load I use for SASS in my 32-20 hand guns is 3.3 gr. of 231 or HP38 which gives a velocity in the 900 fps area.

[challenger_i]

The method I use to help prevent a double charge is to charge the case, inspect charge level and then slug the case. Leaves no opportunity to charge the case, again.

My Lyman 50 manual shows a max charge of 4.0gr Unique with the 115gr cast bullet, for pistol. It does show 4.5gr Unique for the rifle load. I will also offer the information that the majority of the powders you listed are for Rifle loadings. I do not believe you will encounter any issues with IMR 4227, at the Rifle starting load of 7.8gr, however you may not achieve the desired ballistics.

Trail Boss isn't an option, as you will not obtain 900fps with the 115gr bullet.

[Tall]

Like Outpost 75 I typically use 9.5 grains of 4227. My bullets are a powder coated 100 grain Keith SWC from Jerry's. It's a clean burning load and a double charge would be pretty obvious.

[HWooldridge]

I use 16.0 grs of RL-7 in my rifle, and 4.0 grs of 231 out of my revolver - both with 115 gr lead pill...

[Ustas B Slim]

Good questions about the source of my powder data. Here are the loads and the referenced source:
Mfg Powder Max Load Starting Load Reference Test Gun& Cautions
Alliant Red Dot 4.10 3.28 Oregon Trail Handgun Data published on Loaddata.com Colt 5 1/2", WSP; OAL: 1.545; never reduce stated overall lengths; do not exceed maximum loads
Alliant Green Dot 4.50 3.60 Oregon Trail Handgun Data published on Loaddata.com Colt 5 1/2", WSP; OAL: 1.545; never reduce stated overall lengths; do not exceed maximum loads
Alliant Unique 4.60 3.68 Handloader Issue #52 S&W M&P 4-inch
Hodgdon Universal 3.2 2.56 Hodgdon Pistol Data published on Loaddata.com Remington; barrel length: 5.5"; twist: 1:20"; trim length: 1.305"; primer: Winchester SP; bullet d
Alliant Herco 4.90 3.92 Handloader Issue #52 S&W M&P 4-inch
Accurate No, 5 4.5 3.60 Reload Ammo, Reloading the .32-20 Winchester by MD Smith no test gun listed
Alliant 2400 8.50 6.80 Handloader Issue #52 S&W M&P 4inch
IMR 4227 9.70 7.76 Lyman Cast Bullet Hanbook 4th Edition Universal Receiver
Accurate 5744 8.50 6.80 Shooting Lever Guns of the Old West Cimarron Arms Model 1873 (Uberti), 24 inch barrel
Accurate 1680 13.00 10.40 Lyman Cast Bullet Hanbook 4th Edition Universal Receiver
Alliant Reloader 7 15.50 12.40 Lyman Cast Bullet Hanbook 4th Edition Universal Receiver
IMR 4198 2.40 9.92 Lyman Cast Bullet Hanbook 4th Edition Universal Receiver

I have deleted Clays and Hi-skor 700-x from the list as I was unable to find my original reference.
I have also reduced my starting load to 80% of max load

[Ustas B Slim]

So is there any way to post tables into the forum messages?