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Thread: 32/20

  1. #1
    Boolit Buddy
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    32/20

    anyone load blackpowder or subs in a 32/20(32 wcf)?

  2. #2
    Boolit Buddy
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    anyone shoot a 32/20?

  3. #3
    Boolit Bub
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    I shoot the 32/20. I bought my first one over thirty years ago, a Savage 219 single shot. I have a few others now and load some reduced loads for an old Colt Police Positive. I use 5.0 grains of Unique behind a Lee TL314-90-SWC for a plinking load. I have not tried black powder in any of my 32/20's. I have considered trying it in the single shot rifle just because it would be easier to clean than the revolvers.

  4. #4
    Boolit Grand Master


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    Greetings
    I have had a Winchester 1873 in 32-20 a long time. Use to be my "up close" ground hog rifle. If you are going to use BP then I recommend 3F. Also be sure the boolit is at least Throat diameter or a shade larger. My old 73 has a very fat throat and I had to lap out my 32-20 molds to drop at least .315 to get reasonable accuracy. The 115 grain works best in this rifle.
    Same with Unique. I have used as little as 3.5 grains in the 73. But that is a "weak" load that is near useless on larger critters like groundhogs. On a tree rat or bunny's head up close it is fine. 5 grains was the old Lyman load for the 1873 with the 115 grain boolit. My 73 does not shoot lighter boolits well at all.
    I also have a Savage 32-20 that goes out hunting. 5 grains Unique works well. I prefer the 115 for ground hogs and the Savage shoots these well. Again throat diamter is my sizing guide. Have not tried 3F in this rifle but see no reason it would not be as accurate as Unique.
    Have a Dan Wesson revolver in 32-20. That is a whole different critter as the barrel is custom made at .308. It shoots everything nicely but again no BP has been in it.
    Mike in Peru
    "Behold The Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world". John 1:29
    Male Guanaco out in dry lakebed at 10,800 feet south of Arequipa.

  5. #5
    Boolit Buddy
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    I am shooting a 1889 marlin lever action

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    I use FFFg in my Martini Cadet and the Ideal #3118 boolit. Super accurate, shoot all day with just a blow tube, great entertainment. I use the expander die as a compression die by backing it off a bit, and the powder charge is as much as the case holds to the top. Super easy!

    -Nobade

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nobade View Post
    I use FFFg in my Martini Cadet and the Ideal #3118 boolit. Super accurate, shoot all day with just a blow tube, great entertainment. I use the expander die as a compression die by backing it off a bit, and the powder charge is as much as the case holds to the top. Super easy!

    -Nobade
    what bullet and what velocity do you get?what brand powder?

  8. #8
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bubba15301 View Post
    what bullet and what velocity do you get?what brand powder?
    Ideal #3118 bullet. Powder is either KIK or homemade depending on what I have on hand at the time. Don't know the velocity, IIRC they are supposed to run about 1300 fps from a rifle length barrel. I have never chronographed it.

    -Nobade

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    30-20 on a relined No.2 Rolling Block
    my smokeless load is Sr7625, or AA4100 with LEE six cavity 128 gr bullet looks like the 311008, but heavier and longer
    19grs of 3F, either KIK or Goex, card wad, compressed about the length of the neck, no crimp
    shoots to the same point of aim as the smokeless load
    I wipe between shots with WSO and water with a nylon brush and patch
    figure the velocity about 1350, never did a chrono
    lots of fun

  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy
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    has anyone tried triple 7 powder?

  11. #11
    Boolit Grand Master Nobade's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bubba15301 View Post
    has anyone tried triple 7 powder?
    Yes. It is more powerful, and leaves hard fouling in front of the chamber so the barrel needs to be swabbed out after a few shots or accuracy goes to pot. But you do get about 150 fps more velocity. I am much happier with real black myself.

    -Nobade

  12. #12
    Boolit Buddy
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    what primers do you use for blackpowder?rifle or pistol?

  13. #13
    Boolit Buddy
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    Reckon either will work, but I use pistol primers cuz I gots 'em. Can't imagine black not lighting off for choosing the wrong primer.

  14. #14
    Boolit Buddy
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    loaded 17 grains 3f triple 7 and a 120 gr bullet

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check