Who loads for .32-20?

**Mike Irwin** · November 30, 2002, 12:28 PM

New toy on the way, an S&W Model of 1905 Hand Ejector.

Now I have to load for it!

Anyone load for an S&W .32-20?

I want to keep the loads pretty tame, as this isn't a TC Contender.

WIL TERRY · November 30, 2002, 02:25 PM

For use in my HARTFORD SAA 7/1/2";
32/20:
115gr LFN
4.0gr hp38
or
4.0gr 231
or
5.0gr UNIQUE
or
5.5gr UNIVERSAL
8.5GR OF LIL GUN
Have used CCI 500 primers in all my 32/20 loads. The STARLINE brass is far and away yhe best there is available.
All of these loads have shot very well in my 32/20 levergun also.

**Mal H** · November 30, 2002, 03:36 PM

Mike - On a whim I checked the Laser-Cast Reloading Manual for .32-20 and they do have some handgun loads for it. They pretty much follow what Wil listed with the exception of Universal Clays. Their load for that powder was considerably lower, not sure why. Here is the listed data:

Code:

Laser-Cast 115 gr. FP
OAL = 1.545 for all
Test gun was Colt 5 1/2"

Powder               Start Gr.        Never Exceed          Max FPS
--------------       ----------       -----------------     -----------
231                     3.5                  4.0             840
Titegroup               2.7                  3.0             860
Universal               3.0                  3.2             875
Green Dot               4.0                  4.5             935
Red Dot                 3.6                  4.1             950
Unique                  5.0                  5.4            1051

**Mike Irwin** · November 30, 2002, 05:20 PM

Thank ye, Gentlemen. I'm in Pennsylvania and away from my loading manuals.

I know the .32-20 has gotten a new lease on life and it's popping back up in the reloading manuals.

This should be a lot of fun.

Wil, what kind of dies do you use?

Do they make carbide dies for the .32-20, or does it have too much taper?

Archie · December 1, 2002, 12:15 PM

for December 2002 has a whole article on .32-20 for handguns. I looked it over, looks good.

My only .32-20 is a Savage rifle. Not much help there.

**Mike Irwin** · December 1, 2002, 05:33 PM

That's funny, Archie!

I've got a Savage Model 23B in .25-20!

As for Handloader, I don't take it.

I should, but I don't...

WIL TERRY · December 3, 2002, 12:06 AM

old style dies that work perfectly. The second is a set of RCBS COWBOY dies that have been a pain in the koester as they will not crimp at all. I would recommend your buying a LEE FACTORY CRIMP DIE before you load your first round. These LEE dies are pefect for crimping all the older pistol cartridges ie: 32/20, 38/40, 44/40 etc.
There are no carbide dies available in 32/20 but it's no big deal. The 32/20 case is so thin it's easy to size without lube, but I do recommend the HORNADY spray lube which is a wax that easily comes off after loading with a quick tumble for a few minutes in your vibrator with some alcohol in the media.
The 32/20 is a 30caliber reloadable 22MAGNUM, as it were...

November 30, 2002, 12:28 PM	#1
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,379	Who loads for .32-20? New toy on the way, an S&W Model of 1905 Hand Ejector. Now I have to load for it! Anyone load for an S&W .32-20? I want to keep the loads pretty tame, as this isn't a TC Contender. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

November 30, 2002, 02:25 PM	#2
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	I do for one, For use in my HARTFORD SAA 7/1/2"; 32/20: 115gr LFN 4.0gr hp38 or 4.0gr 231 or 5.0gr UNIQUE or 5.5gr UNIVERSAL 8.5GR OF LIL GUN Have used CCI 500 primers in all my 32/20 loads. The STARLINE brass is far and away yhe best there is available. All of these loads have shot very well in my 32/20 levergun also.

November 30, 2002, 03:36 PM	#3
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,947	Mike - On a whim I checked the Laser-Cast Reloading Manual for .32-20 and they do have some handgun loads for it. They pretty much follow what Wil listed with the exception of Universal Clays. Their load for that powder was considerably lower, not sure why. Here is the listed data: Code: Laser-Cast 115 gr. FP OAL = 1.545 for all Test gun was Colt 5 1/2" Powder Start Gr. Never Exceed Max FPS -------------- ---------- ----------------- ----------- 231 3.5 4.0 840 Titegroup 2.7 3.0 860 Universal 3.0 3.2 875 Green Dot 4.0 4.5 935 Red Dot 3.6 4.1 950 Unique 5.0 5.4 1051

November 30, 2002, 05:20 PM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,379	Thank ye, Gentlemen. I'm in Pennsylvania and away from my loading manuals. I know the .32-20 has gotten a new lease on life and it's popping back up in the reloading manuals. This should be a lot of fun. Wil, what kind of dies do you use? Do they make carbide dies for the .32-20, or does it have too much taper? __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 1, 2002, 12:15 PM	#5
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	Mike, "Handloader" magazine for December 2002 has a whole article on .32-20 for handguns. I looked it over, looks good. My only .32-20 is a Savage rifle. Not much help there. __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

December 1, 2002, 05:33 PM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,379	That's funny, Archie! I've got a Savage Model 23B in .25-20! As for Handloader, I don't take it. I should, but I don't... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

December 3, 2002, 12:06 AM	#7
WIL TERRY Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 2000 Location: BLACK HILLS Posts: 1,322	Mike, I use two sets of RCBS dies. the first is as set of old style dies that work perfectly. The second is a set of RCBS COWBOY dies that have been a pain in the koester as they will not crimp at all. I would recommend your buying a LEE FACTORY CRIMP DIE before you load your first round. These LEE dies are pefect for crimping all the older pistol cartridges ie: 32/20, 38/40, 44/40 etc. There are no carbide dies available in 32/20 but it's no big deal. The 32/20 case is so thin it's easy to size without lube, but I do recommend the HORNADY spray lube which is a wax that easily comes off after loading with a quick tumble for a few minutes in your vibrator with some alcohol in the media. The 32/20 is a 30caliber reloadable 22MAGNUM, as it were...

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