Anybody here that loads 32-20s??
dreher
Member Posts: 8,893 ✭✭✭✭
I just finished up loading a batch of 32 H+Rs, my first batch of 32 S+W Longs and thought that as long as I had 32 bullets and other things to load 32s sitting on my reloading bench I needed to try my first batch of 32-20s.
I have never loaded 32-20s! I have read that 32-20s can be difficult to load due to the thinness of the neck/case walls. That because of this case thinness it is very easy to booger up your brass.
My first thoughts on this is to bell the case mouth a little extra so the bullet seats easier so I don't collapse the case. Am I correct in this thought??
Any tricks you have learned to make loading the 32-20 easier would be welcomed!!
I am planning on using .312 diameter 95 grain hard cast lead semi wad cutter bullets and IMR 4227 powder.
Thanks in advance!
Comments
Have not been privileged to own a .32-20 but can vouch that "belling a bit more" actually ruins more cases through cracking than catching the occasional lip and collapsing one. Working the necks that much by belling and then crimping hardens them in only a few cycles. Then too, if you go "a bit more" than just "a bit more" you can collapse one that way.
Far better is to get a Lee "M" die to expand your necks. They are very carefully dimensioned to create a perfect little "step" at the case mouth, allowing both a smooth bullet entry and proper tension. Read their literature on it.
Rocky, Could you give me a little more info on the Lee "M" die?? I went to the Lee web site, typed in M die and got all kinds of results, none of which appeared to be what you were referring to. Should I have just put neck expanders in the search bar to get to the right die?? Thanks!!
What firearm will the loads be used in?
Ruger Blackhawk.
The die you want, is made by Lyman its their "M" die. I have just been using one to load, for the Amscorp/Rock Island 22 TCM round. Really made a big difference. As the little 40 grain bullets for the 22 TCM. Were very difficult to get seated correctly, with the expander that came with the Lee 22 TCM dies.
I would slug your barrel before using .312 dia. bullets. Most modern firearms are made for .308 dia bullets, rather than the old BP .312 slugs.
The cartridge I loaded for, was the 7.5 Swede military revolver cartridge. Same, same as the 32-20, except a little shorter in overall length. IMR 4227 powder is way to slow burning IMHO. It would be for max loads in the 327 Federal, wouldn't use for lead bullets in the 32-20. For the Swede, I used very light loads of fast burning pistol powder. With 30 Carbine 108 grain TMJ bullets. Course with the Ruger being so much stronger than the Swede you can firewall them, If you so choosed.
Think what you need is a Lyman “m” neck expanding die . Lee calls theirs a universal neck expanding die .
On powder, I should have said either Unique or IMR 4227. Both powders were listed in several reloading manuals as I always compare multiple manuals before I choose a powder and the amount of powder to be used.
With the way the supply situation is on all reloading components, replacing anything I use could be, politely put, problematic. I have more IMR 4227 on hand than I have Unique so if the 4227 works reasonably well, that is what I will use but I would prefer using Unique.
I used to load .32-20s for an 1873 Winchester rifle. I don't recall ever having any problems. There is no need to "bell" the case mouth, just open it very slightly to the point that you can just start to insert the bullet by hand. The recoil is so light there isn't much need for crimping either. Needless to say, it is not a round that takes kindly to being loaded hot.
It is a fun round to shoot. Surprisingly accurate.
I don't but I have an old 32-40 that was handed down from my father's side of family
I don't find much ammo for it
i have five 32-20s, two pistols and three rifles. i have handloaded for it for years and have never had any problems following normal loading procedures. i do load a fairly hot load for my modern marlin 1894, but keep the loads for the colt and s&w pistoles on the mild side. SAAMI specs call for a MAP of 16000cup. i have always thought that this was because of the many, many cheaply built pistols made for this cartridge in past years. your ruger can probably be loaded a little better than that. let your conscience and good reloading info be your guide. LIl Gun works well for it also.
Don't mean to be peeing in your Cheerios. But lightly crimping ammo, to be fired in a rifle with a tubular magazine. Potentially is not healthy. To either the rifle or the shooter. Depending on amount and type of powder, and bullet weight.
Bevel base cast bullets also help...same issue with my 44/40 brass...
Combat Vet VN
D.A.V Life Member
I had a Biden moment there. Yes, it is a Lyman "M" die. It's the schizzle for seating cast bullets, believe me.
The Lee die that you might consider is their factory crimp die. It also is excellent.
I feel so much better! I thought I was the one having a Biden moment. I couldn't find the Lee M die, trying every search combination I could think of. The Lyman M die was real easy to find! 😁 Except for the minor problem of being "Out of stock!"
Midway has them in stock.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011246697
I really hate sounding like I ain't got good sense but after reading what this die does, I don't see the difference between that and what I do when I expand the case mouth just enough to get the bullet started. Please educate me as to the difference.
The "M" die isn't tapered over it's length, as most conventional mouth expanding dies are. There is a very small taper at the point. Than the sides of the expanding die are parallel. So that the bullet enters the case at a right angle. Really does the job, on short stubby bullets, like 40 grain stubby .22's.
The "belling" section is also very short and leaves a short parallel section right at the mouth of the case. It cannot over expand. A regular die leaves a funnel-shaped section that does not align the bullet. In fact, it does the opposite. The M die starts every bullet centered and straight. You'll feel the difference with your very first bullet.