Author Topic: 32-20 Handi barrel (Read 1833 times)

fredster22 · « **on:** March 24, 2010, 10:17:20 AM »

As some of you already know I have had the good fortune of purchasing a 32-20 barrel from Larry (trotterli ),

and am anticipating dropping the hammer on this one as its a completely new caliber to me and I'm told its a fun
one to shoot. I have gotten some helpful imfo from some of the guys over in Classified. Still have a couple of questions.
Given that this appears to be a fairly low pressure round, is it OK on a SB1 frame? Have managed to locate dies, brass
98 & 115 gr cast bullets but got the usual nowaday story on jacketed ( out of Stock ). Have various powders to try so
should be okay there. Do these shoot better in the low to medium range than high end? Would appreciate any comments
hints or loads that you could share. Thanks Fred

Going over to T&T Reloading tonight to see if he has
any jacketed stuff.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2010, 10:24:29 AM »

It would be fine on an SB1 frame, it has a SAAMI MAP of 16kcup and a case head smaller than the 357mag which runs over 42kcup.

Tim

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/saami_pressures.htm

http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm

cwlongshot · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2010, 12:49:02 PM »

I agree with Tim, its just fine on a SB1 frame.

If Larry is still using the same barrel as he did with mine you will likely find the longer bullets will shoot best. I have shot mine with reg powders and velocities as well as lite plinking loads and 115gr lead slugs. I have some 130's loaded and waiting for a trip to the range...

The Trotter special 32-20's are some mighty fine shooting barrels!!

CW

trotterlg · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2010, 02:40:20 PM »

Too bad the supply of good 303 barrels dried up, this was my last one. These have very wide lands in them, probably why they shoot cast so well. I modified a Hornet ejector today, so all that is left to do is the barrel band and parkerize it. Hornet ejectors seem to be able to be made to work in most anything, so if you are doing up a barrel and don't know what ejector to use, get one for a Hornet and modify away. Larry

gcrank1 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2010, 03:30:07 PM »

Fred, If you have Unique start with the 115s and 4.0 gr. just to get used to it. You can go up some from there, but that should make a nice plinking load.

fredster22 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2010, 04:43:46 PM »

Blake,
Thanks for the suggestion, have Unique and 115gr bullets. Bullets are the problem right now as most suppliers are
" out of stock ". Did find 500 115gr Oregon Trail Lazer Cast and 300 98gr swc from a RCBS Mold so I guess I can do a lot of
plinking. Fred

lee1954 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2010, 05:19:22 PM »

Kind sir
   I think we just need to find a new source, I found a person that said he was tossing 303 barrels in the Iron pile...I got the one he had at the gun show for cheep... So we all need to keep out eyes open -- And help / tell us in what to look for ----In the last small town gunshow had 3 - 5 gal buckets with barrels -- I got a ruger barrel in a 300 mag used,,, but a .308 bore for $5 there was some that looked poor for 303s
   to bad we can't fine any thing good for 8mm,, lots of them
   Dan

26-t · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2010, 05:40:12 PM »

My 2, 303 barrels are from 1914 drill rifles that were demil-ed by drilling a hole in the chamber's and welded a cross pin in. They still measured 24" . I guess I was lucky but the bores look mint . 26-t

26-t · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2010, 05:48:07 PM »

Here is a few photos of the drill rifles. 26-t

trotterlg · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2010, 05:51:06 PM »

That is what these barrels came from, they look nearly unfired in the bore, just had the chamber drilled through. Most barrels of this age look really bad, but these were like new. Could buy a new barrel, but that would make these unaffordable for most people. Larry

26-t · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2010, 05:59:09 PM »

I got 3 of them from Century 15 years ago . I salvaged 2 of them for the barrels and I still have 1 left as a drill rifle. I don't know if any of the surplusers have them still or not. 26-t

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2010, 06:12:23 PM »

A little bit off topic, but maybe within reason for this thread. I had a Marlin 32-20 that I dearly loved. Never took it hunting, but with the factory sights I could knock pop cans over at 100 yards. People used to kill deer with a 32-20. Low noise, low recoil, but with enough oomph. However, I sold it when I looked at a ballistics chart. I realize that what we see on paper means little or nothing if a particular caliber does what we want it to do on the range and in the woods.

A factory loaded 100grn. 32-20 has 1210fps and 325fp of energy. A .32 Winchester Special with a 170grn. bullet moves out at 2250 with 1911fp of energy. That sort of makes me sick. And that's rifle ballistics. A 110grn .357 Magnum (from a handgun!) travels at 1225 fps with energy at 410, still more than a 32-20.

I never got into reloading for that Marlin. Maybe that was my problem, but I think if I were looking for a Handi barrel to fire a fairly mild cartridge, I wouldn't get a 32-20. Maybe it has an advantage over the .357 round in a rifle that I'm too ignorant to recognize. I certainly don't mean to belittle anyone's choice of caliber. Lord knows I've got some weird ones. Just thought I'd respectfully offer my thoughts.

Airsporter · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2010, 01:09:53 AM »

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/3220wcf.htm

Antietamgw · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2010, 02:26:09 AM »

I miss those DP rifles!!! I believe I went through 6 of them when they were 3/$100 or some such price. I have 1 barrel left untouched, not sure what it's going to end up on yet. One is in the works on a #4 Rolling Block for .32 S&W. Those I've used for stubs, liners and such have done real well with cast and the quick twist sure helps with pipsqueak loads.

My Savage 23 .32-20 shoots 2.7 - 3.1 Bullseye extremely well with the 98gr Keith and 311008. The 311008 seems more versatile with better accuracy over a wider range of loads but both bullets (boolits) are squirrel head accurate to 50 yards with Bullseye in both my M/23's.

fredster22 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2010, 05:42:11 AM »

If one reads the link below submitted by Airsporter ( article by Paco ) one would start to think along SB2 lines with the
pressures quoted for modern firearms. Has anybody here loaded these loads and shot them in their guns?

Quote from: Airsporter on March 25, 2010, 01:09:53 AM

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/3220wcf.htm

Mike from Virginia :Perhaps this would answer your question. Interesting as well as imformative though I myself would work
up to them cautiously. Fred

gcrank1 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 25, 2010, 09:07:34 AM »

My take on the issue is that if you keep it at 'large varmint' type loads and pressures that it is a dandy, and if you need more beans go to the 30-30. I load my 30-30 down to 32-20 ballistics with 115-130gr. cast plain base bullets and with an easy sight adj. for elevation can switch to 150-170 full deer loads.
I still have a Colt's Army Spl. in 32-20 loaded to about 850-900fps, and if I had a companion rifle would probably use the same load as a sub-sonic American 'rook and rabbit rifle'. One loaded up to 1250ish with cast will have more power, but it is still a 100yd. cartridge on most days and usually better at less.

Antietamgw · « **Reply #16 on:** March 25, 2010, 09:44:54 AM »

I think Paco likes to run stuff hot. Kind of defeats (my) purpose of the .32-20. If anything, less case capacity would be nice. BTW, if you need to buy some brass, go out of your way to get Starline - lasts alot longer for me. I also reform it to .25-20 with a lot less hassle and loss than using Winchester.

Airsporter · « **Reply #17 on:** March 25, 2010, 11:59:20 AM »

Quote from: fredster22 on March 25, 2010, 05:42:11 AM

If one reads the link below submitted by Airsporter ( article by Paco ) one would start to think along SB2 lines with the
pressures quoted for modern firearms.

First, I have never tried any of his loads as unfortunately I have never own a 32-20. But (why is there always a 'but'

), he has data for 3 different pressure levels. Black powder to modern - like 45-70 data. The 'top pressure' 110gr jacketed loads appear to be running right at .30 Carbine levels - well within .357 mag pressures at 32k-38Kcup. And, the 32-20 has a smaller case head which lowers bolt thrust.

P.S. I did salt away a couple of de-milled .303 barrels from Numrich on trotterlg's tip. So, a 32-20 and/or a 7.62x54R are still possible.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #18 on:** March 25, 2010, 12:33:49 PM »

His top load was just over 40K. That's combined with the small head size is well with in the parameters of the SB1 action...

CW

fredster22 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 25, 2010, 01:02:02 PM »

Thanks again, It was just a thought and thats how one learns from the knowledgeable people in this forum. Hey I'm all for saving money
the Sb1 is cool with me

I got a nice new spare off a 357mag. Other than an occasional trip into the wild side will probably stick to the
medium range fun loads. Sure have enough other calibers to venture higher. This is for fun & I'm sure my grandson will like it too. Fred

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2010, 01:06:55 PM »

The only issue you're likely to have with the higher pressures on the SB1 frame are primer problems which are usually easily dealt with using a primer with a thicker cup, the shotgun frame's larger firing pin and hole in the standing breech can be an issue, the SB1 framed 357 and 44mags have rifle size firing pins that eliminate that issue.

Tim

gcrank1 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 25, 2010, 01:15:10 PM »

Ive found that if I hit that point where some primer flow sticks the action from wanting to freely open that I just back the load off untill it works OK, then no worries.
BTW, to get a sticky one open just cock and drop the hammer to drive the primer in a bit and it will probably open right up.

fredster22 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 25, 2010, 01:23:10 PM »

Thanks Tim, have a CBA xxxxx that will he beautiful and has a finish that will look good with the parkerized finish Larry uses
and don't need nothing hot. A spare non checkered cinnamin stock set and a 4x short scope ahead of the hammer should
seal the deal. Range reports and pics will follow. Fred

manatee1947 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 25, 2010, 03:38:56 PM »

for the guy with the 8mm barrels that could be used, how about a 32 winchester special?? HHmmmm???

gcrank1 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 25, 2010, 03:55:05 PM »

Or a .323 X .310 Martini Cadet

26-t · « **Reply #25 on:** March 25, 2010, 04:45:47 PM »

This is what I came up with for the 303 barrel. Home made reamer , I call it the 7.62 Zoomie

,I based it on a 7.63x39 and I improved it . Min. taper and a 42 degree shoulder angel. It will fire form from a standard 7.62x39 . I will load with .311-.312 bullets to start out. Here a some photos of the fire formed cases. 26-t

gcrank1 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 26, 2010, 03:59:59 AM »

I like THAT!, have thought the '39 should be good loading density anyway but that looks promising! Ive got a Ruger No.1-B extra barrel in 30-06 that I will have to see how the chamber front might clean up to that.
BTW, the old twists for the 32-20 were 1:20ish, and mine wouldnt stabilize over that weight/length, but I wasnt going for magnum loads either. Even so, its hard to overcome inadequate twist with more velo in lead bullet gun. The .303 quick twist should work with subsonic heavies as well as the lighter, traditional 32-20 bullets. Should be a good 'thwacker'.

trotterlg · « **Reply #27 on:** March 26, 2010, 03:42:50 PM »

Got it done, I will ship it tomorrow. Let us know how it shoots and with what, post some pictures for us. Larry

fredster22 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 26, 2010, 05:59:03 PM »

Definitely will do Larry, and will post pics and a range report asap. Much thanks to you for the opportunity and thanks to
the great people on this forum for their thoughts and offerings. Fred