The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Skunkworks > Handloading, Reloading, and Bullet Casting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old March 24, 2013, 04:38 PM   #1
Seamus Mc
Member
 
Join Date: March 24, 2013
Posts: 33
Reloading .32-20 Martini Cadet

Who has experience reloading for a Martini Cadet converted to .32-20?

I have a .310 Martini Cadet “converted” to .32-20. The standard .311 bullets from commercial .32-20 ammo gave terrible accuracy in the original barrel. I obtained some custom ammo using ‘similar to’ the original heeled Martini bullets in .32-20 cases trimmed down to about 1.11” with OAL of 1.58. These produced good accuracy but unfortunately that source is no longer available. I now have both original type .323 lead heeled bullets (.668” long) from Buffalo Arms & some .321 lead round balls. I have .32-20 cases, both original length & some trimmed to 1.11”. All are fire formed from my rifle. I have .32-20 Lee dies. I plan to load some with Trail Boss and some with 3F Goex. My questions are as follows:

I am not set up to trim cases. The shorter cases loaded with heeled bullets have an OAL of .158 but the bullets are seated pretty shallow. Is trimming to less than normal .32-20 case length as my former custom loader did necessary or desirable? I am thinking that he may have also used these in original .310 Cadet rifles.

Can I avoid full length expanding the cases with the .32-20 die as they are fire formed to this rifle? Is there an advantage to expanding? I generally expand when I reload other calibers.

How about seating? Can I just thumb seat or will the .32-20 seating die work? I have heard of folks using other .32 cal seating dies but .32-20 is all I have in this range.

Same with case mouth expansion. I expect the .32-20 die should work fine on these same caliber cases.

What about crimping? I am considering getting the Lee .32-20 crimp die. Will it handle these fatter bullets or would another .323 crimp die like 8mm Mauser be a better choice?

Any other experience or advice on loading for this not uncommon “combination caliber” would also be much appreciated.

Seamus Mc
Seamus Mc is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:30 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.04770 seconds with 10 queries