Share your thoughts on a 32-20 barrel.

[lbaize3]

I want a single shot 32-20 rifle to shoot cast 115-118 grain GC lead bullets. I plan to use some of Paco Kelly's upper end level 2 loads with both AA2015 and AA1680 powders. And I will use my basic plinking load of 3.9 grains of Red Dot with the plain based bullets.

I have ordered a Green Mountain .312 grove dia. barrel that is 1.065" X 25"..... A 1 in 22 twist. I can have my gunsmith put it on a Ruger #1 (45-70... unfired) or a Uberti Rolling Block carbine (30-30...also unfired) or I can get him to make a barrel for my Thompson Center Contender. He had mentioned that I needed to get a barrel at least 1.20" in diameter so there would be a good shoulder on the Ruger #1. Unfortunately, the above mentioned Green Mountain barrel was the only one I could find with the necessary grove diameter. I did not want a .308 dia. as I have numerous other 32-20 firearms with the .312 dia. and did not want to have to segregate my ammo.

I have been leaning toward using the Ruger #1 because I have three other 45-70 single shots. And although I have other 30-30 rifles, The Uberti is very well made and it looks like it is going to be a fine lead bullet chunker. The Contender barrel idea should cost less to make as I have another contender barrel the gunsmith can take the locking block and ejector off of.

Anyway, I am having a time making a decision and would be very interested in your thoughts. I imagine that some of you will think of something that might help me make an informed decision....

Thanks,
Leonard

[cwlongshot]

Welcome,
 I have a couple 32-20 rifles and had a Contender in 32-20. GREAT caliber!!!

Currently I have a H&R custom barrel, 1894CL Marlin lever and Savage 23 bolt. (Sold off most all the Contender stuff) I shoot the H&R the most. its barrel is made from a Enfield so the twist is better suited to longer bullets. It shoots 123/5GR bullets made for the 7.63x39 into nice small groups. I shoot mostly 115 SWC cast slugs form the Savage and 100 and 115Gr jacketed from the Marlin.

As nice as the #1 is the rolling block would be my choice as its fitting to the age and overall feel of the orig 32-20 chamberings.

What ever you choose, Please remember to post up pics!!

CW

[petemi]

Leonard, I'm new at the 32-20.  I just found a stubbed Handi Rifle barrel in 32-20 two weeks ago, and it fit perfectly on one of my three spare Handi frames.  I put it on a very nice checkered walnut Buffalo Classic Carbine stock set, and it is getting chopped to 17 inches.  It came with 96 unfired, unprimed brass and 250 100 gr. .313 dia cast, not GC.  I loaded a few down to 900+ fps with TiteGroup and up to 1600.  I'd have to go down to the reloading room to check which powder I used for that load...can't remember.  I'm afraid I'll get leading pushing that bullet that fast.  I'm waiting for 200 .313 XTPs which should be in Monday.  I'll load some of those over 15.4 gr. H110 for 2200+ fps.  I run .405 gr. Rems in my .45-70 very accurately at close to that velocity....you don't want to fire too many of them at one sitting   I thought the stubb was done with a Green Mountain and a H&R shotgun barrel.  I may be wrong about the Green Mountain.

If you go up to the H&R centerfire forum above and search "stubbing" you should find quite a lot of info there.  Also, you might PM Larry Trotter (trotterlg) since Larry has done quite a few and probably has some good ideas for you.

It's not that I like Handi Rifles at all.  The 32-20 is number 14 and another .357 should be here shortly.  That one is for my wife so I can get my shorty Maxi back   I can put together 4 perhaps 5 Handis for the price of a #1.  They give you a lot of bang for your buck, and I have found all of mine to be accurate and dependable.  Outside of a stronger frame and cosmetics, I really don't see the great advantage of the Rugers in a hunting rifle.  They're heavier, and I'd think twice about dragging them through the places I take the Handis.  Also, Buffalo Bore lists the Handis right along with the Rugers as being capeable of handling their loads.

Good luck with it,

Pete

[VT30-30]

The 32-20 is certainly a great round. I have a Win. 92 32-20 that is a shooter with cast .313 dia. It has a 20 inch barrel and
is very accurate. I also have a Colt Police Positive Spec. in 32-20. It was made in the late 20s so I load light cast loads for it.
96 gr. over 2.5 Trail Boss. Nice load.
But I would really like a 32-20 barrel for my Handi rifle. That would be a great set-up. Maybe a barrel will come up for sale but
I'm not holding my breath.

Steve