32-20 .310, .311 or .313 bullets ?

[bluez]

I have read about shooters using .30us carbin bullets in .308 in the 30-20, some have even used .315 bullets. However the true caliber is .311 i believe. However the bullets that are made for the 32-20 are usually  .312 or .313 should i be concerned? Or are most .310-.313 lead bullets OK?

[Frank46]

Good question. I usually slug the barrel to get the bore dimension and size .002 over that. So you are correct with
the various bullet dimensions as the dimensions can vary from rifle to rifle or revolver to revolver. The bore size is what you need first and then you can get in touch with a mold maker. Frank

[Lloyd Smale]

mine shoots 312s real well

[Mikey]

My old Lyman manual shows the bullet diameter of the 32-20 Winchester round to be .310 (jacketed) with cast slugs running .311 - .312.   This would allow you to use jacketed bullets for the 32 acp and 7.65 Luger as well as the cast slugs available.  .308 slugs will be just too small.

[Canuck Bob]

Berry's makes a clone of thier 30 Carbine bullet in .311.  They advertise max 1700 I think.  It is a copper clad soft lead bullet.

[Richard P]

Much of the bullet diameter conflict stems from old 32-20s vs newer 32-20s.  The older revolvers and rifles were nominally 311 but could be found up to the area of 313/314. 
  When the t/c Contender was introduced t/c opted for the more common .308 diameter thus sometimes it is called 30-20. Ruger chambered a revolver that used 32-20 and some had a second cylinder for 32 H/R. Marlin also offers a rifle in 32-20.  In using standard velocity and lead bullets, the larger bullets would swage to the .308 barrel.  The trouble begins in trying .308 bullets in .311 and larger bores. Soft bullets may upset enough to give some accuracy.
  Going back to the Contender with the .308 barrel, they are usually found with a 1 in 10 twist and that opens them up to using heavier than normal bullets.
   In dealing with 32-20s it really depends on which you have; revolver, or rifle, older or newer.