32-20 Favorite loads, moulds, and alloy

[pdgoutdoors]

I snagged a Marlin 1894CL in 32-20 today at a gun show, and have never reloaded the cartridge before. I have a lyman handbook, but I would like to hear everyones favorite loads, moulds, and alloy for it. Plinking, small game, im all ears!

[Jeff Michel]

31108, 50/50 alloy, 4.5 grains of GreenDot. I've used it for everything from a Norway rat to deer. Enjoy your rifle, you have a good one.

[Nobade]

#31108, 20 grains of 3Fg.

[Jhon]

I have a Lyman 31108AV mold. Can anyone tell me what the "AV" stands for/means? I bought it for my 32-20s but have yet to cast with it

[35 Rem]

I have a 1990's Marlin 1894 in 32-20. The only load I've tried in mine is the Lyman 311008 with 5.7 grains of Unique. Alloy is clip on WW's. I get about 1,280 ft/sec. For me, the 32-20 is light for deer even loaded to the max so this level of load is perfect as it hits small game a lot harder than a 22 but doesn't tear them up. And it's great fun for plinking. Everybody should have a 32-20!

[LDB]

The “AV” in a Lyman bullet mold number like 31108AV is a two‑letter suffix that identifies the cherry cutter used to cut the mold cavity Cast Boolits.

In Lyman’s numbering system:

The first three digits (e.g., 311) indicate the nominal bullet diameter the mold is sized to.

The next two digits (e.g., 08) are the cherry number — the specific cutter used to shape the cavity.

The two‑letter suffix (e.g., AV) is a cherry identifier that matches the cutter used to cut the mold. This helps Lyman keep molds paired during manufacturing Cast Boolits.

So, 31108AV means:

311 = nominal .311 diameter bullet.

08 = cherry cutter number 8.

AV = cherry cutter code for this specific cutter.

This system allows Lyman to track which mold pair came from which cutter, which can be useful for matching molds, ensuring consistent casting, or identifying the source of a mold if needed.

[Cast10]

I’ve got a close bud with 3 marlins in 32-20. All old. Tell me a bit about which rifles can shoot smokeless light loads. He’s needing some ammo and I load for my S&W 1905 3rd change. I load W231 @ 3.3gr for a 117-119gr. powder coated bullet. Books show about 12,600 cup.

[pdgoutdoors]

Do you seat and crimp in the front grease groove or over the front driving band as this boolit has no crimp groove?

[sailcaptain]

I have an 1892 Winchester Lever Action and use it for coyote and just plain shooting fun. Admittedly, I reload for this rifle using light loads, given its age. Suits my needs. I have never used the Vithavuori N110, as I do not have any on hand, but included in my reload data for future use.
I reload mine:
32-20 Rifle
Primer: CCI / Small Rifle #400
Powder: Unique or Win231
Bullet: LFN Size: 0.312 Weight: 100 Gr
Case Trimmed to: 1.305 in
Total Length: 1.592 in

Winchester 32-20 WCF Cal
Bullet Wt. - 118 grain (FN HP / FNJHP) Bullet Size - .312 Cal
Case 1.3150 trim to 1.305
Total Length 1.592
Powder(s)
WIN 231 - 3.2 grains
Unique - 5.0 grains
Viht. N110 - 9.0 grains

[Larry Gibson]

If you're going to shoot top end 32-20 loads in your Marlin 1894CL then I suggest a GC'd bullet such as the Lyman 311316 which is the GC'd version of the 311008 designed for top end 32-20 loads. Cast of 16-1 alloy those can be pushed safely in your rifle to 1600 - 1700 fps with Lil'Gun, H110, 2400 and 4227 powders.

[Outpost75]

In the 1873 Winchester and older pre 1920 revolvers which are not heat treated I load 3.5 grains of Bullseye with Accurate 31-105T or 3 grains with either. Ideal #3118 or Accurate 31-12OJ.
31-105T-D-1.jpg
31-120J-D.jpg

[35 Rem]

Regarding the crimp on the Lyman 311008, I use an RCBS 3 die Cowboy set. I set the OAL to whatever nominal is for that bullet and adjusted the seating die to just barely give a taper crimp. Looks more like a crimp you would use on 45ACP. The crimp, such as it is, it in front of the front lube groove since the bullet has no actual crimp groove as you stated. I would measure one but I'm in the process of moving and my loading stuff is not easily retrieved at the moment and all my 32-20 ammo is at the farm already.

[Jhon]

@LDB thanks for that info and explanation.

I have a friend's Winchester model 1892 button mag rifle I am about to develop loads for using powder coated 115gn bullets. The serial number is for manufacture in 1920. The action appears sound and tight. While its not a rifle we want to push velocity in, getting around the 1600 to 1700fps would be useful. The projectile is a commercial Powder Coated cast flatpoint from Hawk River Bullet Company in Australia. They state that their PC is rated to sustain velocities to 2200fps.

Any comments on going for 1600-1700fps in a 1920s manufactured Win 92?

[LDB]

@LDB thanks for that info and explanation.

I have a friend's Winchester model 1892 button mag rifle I am about to develop loads for using powder coated 115gn bullets. The serial number is for manufacture in 1920. The action appears sound and tight. While its not a rifle we want to push velocity in, getting around the 1600 to 1700fps would be useful. The projectile is a commercial Powder Coated cast flatpoint from Hawk River Bullet Company in Australia. They state that their PC is rated to sustain velocities to 2200fps.

Any comments on going for 1600-1700fps in a 1920s manufactured Win 92?

That's info I found in a search. It sounded solid enough I shared it. Take it with a grain, or two, of salt. Good luck.

[Larry Gibson]

@LDB thanks for that info and explanation.

I have a friend's Winchester model 1892 button mag rifle I am about to develop loads for using powder coated 115gn bullets. The serial number is for manufacture in 1920. The action appears sound and tight. While its not a rifle we want to push velocity in, getting around the 1600 to 1700fps would be useful. The projectile is a commercial Powder Coated cast flatpoint from Hawk River Bullet Company in Australia. They state that their PC is rated to sustain velocities to 2200fps.

Any comments on going for 1600-1700fps in a 1920s manufactured Win 92?

In chapter 1 of Cartridges of the World you will find HV loads for the 32-20 which were used back in the day in M92 Winchesters. As I recall a load of 13 gr of 4227 under a 115 gr bullets ggave 1700+ fps.

[Cast10]

I have an 1892 Winchester Lever Action and use it for coyote and just plain shooting fun. Admittedly, I reload for this rifle using light loads, given its age. Suits my needs. I have never used the Vithavuori N110, as I do not have any on hand, but included in my reload data for future use.
I reload mine:
32-20 Rifle
Primer: CCI / Small Rifle #400
Powder: Unique or Win231
Bullet: LFN Size: 0.312 Weight: 100 Gr
Case Trimmed to: 1.305 in
Total Length: 1.592 in

Winchester 32-20 WCF Cal
Bullet Wt. - 118 grain (FN HP / FNJHP) Bullet Size - .312 Cal
Case 1.3150 trim to 1.305
Total Length 1.592
Powder(s)
WIN 231 - 3.2 grains
Unique - 5.0 grains
Viht. N110 - 9.0 grains

How old is your rifle sir?

[sailcaptain]

1898. Originally purchased new by my grandfather. Which had to be quite the expense for him at the time. He was a farmer in New England and carried it whenever he was out tending his crops and the massive herd of cattle he had at the time, 2. Oh and his horse.

[Larry Gibson]

Hornady 4th Edition jacketed load data for the 32-20 as tested in a Marlin M1894CL rifle. 115 - 120 gr cast bullet loads with H110 or 4227 pushing 1600 - 1700+ fps will be quite safe. They also will be quite safe for use in a M92 Winchester rifle.

20260526_123308.jpg

[Jack Stanley]

98 gr. SWC from RCBS and five grains Unique .

Jack

[Littlewolf]

I'm shooting a savage sporter bolt action with 3118 / 311008 wheel weight alloy over 2gr HP-38 and CCI small pistol primers, some brass is 32-20 and some is converted 7.62 nagant revolver.