Author Topic: 32-20 Handi Barrel Information Wanted! (Read 1891 times)

RIF · « **on:** December 24, 2011, 06:26:22 AM »

I am interested in getting a 32-20 barrel for a handi. I have read about stubbing a larger caliber 30 cal barrel. I really have not turned up a lot of information on it though.

I was wondering if any of you have done this, if you can recommend anyone to do it for me, what barrel to start with (30-30?).

Any other suggestions might be helpful.

I just would like one in 32-20, and yes I realize I can buy a 357 mag and not have the hassle. This is one of those things.

Any idea of labor cost? Thanks

JB White · « **Reply #1 on:** December 24, 2011, 07:53:58 AM »

For a lower pressure round like the 32-20 you might consider a reline too. So long as the doner barrel's bore is smaller than the O.D. of the liner, and with enough "meat' left to accept the tube it can be done much more easily. A 22 rimfire barrel would be a good candidate as the existing chamber can be drilled away for the liner as opposed to boring out and plugging a larger chamber to accept the liner tube.
Chamber cut and a new exractor and you're on your way.

petemi · « **Reply #2 on:** December 24, 2011, 09:28:35 AM »

A member here, Larry Trotter (trotterlg) has done a few of them. I happen to have been fortunate to buy a used one of his from another member here. The barrel is a .303. Mine shoots .310, .311, and .312s jacketed just fine. The barrel came with 250 .313 cast that it wasn't super fond of. It is a Handi little rifle. You can run bullets from four or five hundred fps to 100 gr. XTPs at 2200. I can't give you an idea of cost, because I bought the finished barrel used. I will say it is certainly worth doing. Mine is 22 inch, on a BC carbine stock set, SB2 frame and weighs about five pounds, perhaps a hair more. I don't know that the SB2 is needed, but I keep all my center fire rifles on them.

Pete

trotterlg · « **Reply #3 on:** December 24, 2011, 10:59:59 AM »

Easiest thing to do is to stub in a British 303 take off barrel. They have the proper bore diameter and very wide lands (5 lands and grooves LH twist, about 1 in8). The job is very basic, any gunsmith can do it, I think I have done about a half dozen if you count the 32 H&R Mags also. They shoot well on a SB1 frame and like cast bullets. The Handi was just made for a 32-20, they are very nice. Larry

RIF · « **Reply #4 on:** December 24, 2011, 01:30:59 PM »

Thank you for the thoughtful replies.

I would like to shoot 115 gr cast bullets. I have 311316 mold that drops a cast bullet at .312".
I would like to take advantage of the little slower twist of a 30-30 for the project.

trotterlg · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2011, 03:57:00 PM »

A 30-30 has the wrong bore diameter for a 32-20. Larry

RIF · « **Reply #6 on:** December 24, 2011, 06:09:47 PM »

I have a mold that drops them at .312" and I can size down to .310". My Marlin 94 in 32-20 has a bore of .310". One of my Marlin 30-30's is also .310" the other is .308".

I have a 303 Brit and it measures .312" (an SMLE). I have heard of 303 Brits going as high as .317 and some going at .310".

It really does not seem that there is any rhyme or reason and this is just a couple examples.

.308, 9 or 10 does not really make a difference to me. I would rather have the slower twist.

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 25, 2011, 01:04:30 AM »

You could use a 308 dia barrel with a proper sizes expander for your sizing die,then use the smaller sizes bullets BUT factory loads will NOT BE SAFE TO FIRE in the chamber.The thicker neck will not be a problem but the larger diameter bullet will be. If you decide to go with the 308 barrel it should be clearly marked " NO FACTORY AMMO "
With that said it should be a fun gun to shoot
Good Luck

RIF · « **Reply #8 on:** December 25, 2011, 05:00:58 AM »

Quote from: jeepmann1948 on December 25, 2011, 01:04:30 AM

You could use a 308 dia barrel with a proper sizes expander for your sizing die,then use the smaller sizes bullets BUT factory loads will NOT BE SAFE TO FIRE in the chamber.The thicker neck will not be a problem but the larger diameter bullet will be. If you decide to go with the 308 barrel it should be clearly marked " NO FACTORY AMMO "
With that said it should be a fun gun to shoot
Good Luck

There is a huge variation in the barrel dimensions from the manufacturer. I have heard of Marlin 1894CL's slugging .308" mine is .310"(It's the 6 groove Ballard). I have a 30-06 (Savage 110) that slugs at .310". I know of many06's v that go .312" or better.

There is a lot of ambiguity in bore diameters out there. Take for example 44 magnum. Some go .427 and some go 434. A 30-30 can slug as a 32 Special.

I have been an admirer of this cartridge since I owned a Savage 23 in it.

I will get a barrel and do this some time soon. I will probably turn the barrel down and taper it at that time as well. Go through and thin the stock. I wonder how much I can trim off of it?

RIF · « **Reply #9 on:** December 25, 2011, 05:06:04 AM »

What are the Handi 30 cals slugging at?

trotterlg · « **Reply #10 on:** December 25, 2011, 03:37:58 PM »

You would have to do a custom reamer because the pilot on a 32-20 reamer will not go into a .308 bore. Then the throat would be messed up because you are cutting the lead and throat for a .312 barrel in a .308 barrel. You will need the faster twist any way because of the slow velocity of the heavy bullets out of a 32-20. The 30-30 cannot be rechambered to a 32-20 because the 30-30 chamber is larger than a 32-20 is. Larry

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 25, 2011, 04:30:19 PM »

Larry is correct it will require a custom reamer it can be ground so as to use the case dimension of the 32-20 with the lead and throat for a 308 barrel. Either diameter barrel will require stubbing or re-boring however.

RIF · « **Reply #12 on:** December 25, 2011, 07:51:17 PM »

Quote from: jeepmann1948 on December 25, 2011, 04:30:19 PM

Larry is correct it will require a custom reamer it can be ground so as to use the case dimension of the 32-20 with the lead and throat for a 308 barrel. Either diameter barrel will require stubbing or re-boring however.

Do you know what a custom reamer like this might run?

RIF · « **Reply #13 on:** December 25, 2011, 07:58:05 PM »

Quote from: trotterlg on December 24, 2011, 10:59:59 AM

Easiest thing to do is to stub in a British 303 take off barrel. They have the proper bore diameter and very wide lands (5 lands and grooves LH twist, about 1 in8). The job is very basic, any gunsmith can do it, I think I have done about a half dozen if you count the 32 H&R Mags also. They shoot well on a SB1 frame and like cast bullets. The Handi was just made for a 32-20, they are very nice. Larry

Larry, I went back and read this again, and you are telling me to use an old SMLE barrel. This makes more sense than what I was thinking you meant. For some reason I thought you were talking about an actual Handi barrel takeoff chambered in 303 Brit and as little as I know about Handis I still know that sounded like a tough task to find one.

What size bullets are you guys running with the 1 in 8 twist? 150's? What are they being driven too?

petemi · « **Reply #14 on:** December 25, 2011, 11:01:46 PM »

I've only tried 123 and 125 gr. .310 and .311 pointed bullets, nothing heavier. They run about 1800 fps. The 100 gr. .312 XTP shoots better with a max load of H110 running about 2200. (Hornady's T/C - Ruger Data) That's my go to load. I don't shoot cast any more because running at the velocities I like, they'd have to be gas checked.

To me, trying to shoot .32-20s out of a .30-30 barrel is a self defeating project. The .303 barrel shoots extremely well and I wouldn't mess with it.

Pete

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 25, 2011, 11:38:40 PM »

It might be easier to do what you want by boring a barrel of smaller dimentions. Wayne York does this sort of thing. You find a barrel, say a 22 Hornet and send it off to Wayne and have him bore and chamber the barrel to your specifications. The total cost is some where from $350 - $400 + the cost of the original barrel.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

cwlongshot · « **Reply #16 on:** December 26, 2011, 12:27:37 AM »

Quote from: RIF on December 25, 2011, 07:58:05 PM

Quote from: trotterlg on December 24, 2011, 10:59:59 AM
Easiest thing to do is to stub in a British 303 take off barrel. They have the proper bore diameter and very wide lands (5 lands and grooves LH twist, about 1 in8). The job is very basic, any gunsmith can do it, I think I have done about a half dozen if you count the 32 H&R Mags also. They shoot well on a SB1 frame and like cast bullets. The Handi was just made for a 32-20, they are very nice. Larry

Larry, I went back and read this again, and you are telling me to use an old SMLE barrel. This makes more sense than what I was thinking you meant. For some reason I thought you were talking about an actual Handi barrel takeoff chambered in 303 Brit and as little as I know about Handis I still know that sounded like a tough task to find one.

What size bullets are you guys running with the 1 in 8 twist? 150's? What are they being driven too?

Morning,
I have a 32-20 built as a stub with a SMLE barrel. I have shot it with everything form 60G thru 150G bullets. I have some 170-80 but havent shot them as yet. Its a subsonic deal anyhow as the tiny cap of the little 32-20 case is the sever limiting factor.

As Pete mantioned I get excellent accuracy out of the 123/25g slugs meant for the 7.62x39 cartridage. Almost one hole at 50 yards with IMR4227 powder. Still working up to a max loading and I have not chrono'd it.

The lil 32-20 in the Handi is a dandy caliber. Its ajoy to shoot, with lo noise and light recoil as well as accuracy. With the heavy 100 or 123/5G bullet loadings, its good for bigger varmints and light, close range, deer hunting too!

CW

petemi · « **Reply #17 on:** December 26, 2011, 05:50:20 AM »

Loaded with the 123/125 gr. 7.62X39 bullets, the .32-20's look like "Short Russians"

Pete

RIF · « **Reply #18 on:** December 26, 2011, 09:23:23 PM »

Quote from: petemi on December 25, 2011, 11:01:46 PM

I've only tried 123 and 125 gr. .310 and .311 pointed bullets, nothing heavier. They run about 1800 fps. The 100 gr. .312 XTP shoots better with a max load of H110 running about 2200. (Hornady's T/C - Ruger Data) That's my go to load. I don't shoot cast any more because running at the velocities I like, they'd have to be gas checked.

To me, trying to shoot .32-20s out of a .30-30 barrel is a self defeating project. The .303 barrel shoots extremely well and I wouldn't mess with it.

Pete

Pete, Trying to recreate a 357 mag from a 32-20 is not self defeating? We all want certain things. Perhaps my idea is unfeasible or impractical but self defeating? I just want something that will be capable of accurately shooting slow lightweight bullets. Those twists are just too fast for what I want. A 16 inch twist would be great!!

I honestly think I am just going to have to be satisfied with my Marlin and turn the 357 Handi into my rook rifle. Which was plan A anyway.

JES does the rebore in whatever twist I want for $225. I think I could get a good SMLE barrel for $50 or $60 and the gunsmithing job would run at least $150 all for something not really what I want. I still wonder what a .308-310 reamer would cost. I just do not think I want it that bad after all. My little Marlin is a dandy rifle, I am pretty happy with it so that is consolation I guess.

A guy can get a lot of money wrapped up in these 'cheap' little rifles if he is not careful. Fifty dollars here and a hundred dollars can add up into a Sako in time

!

Regards

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 27, 2011, 01:18:32 AM »

Handi rifles are reliable, you can get the trigger to a crisp 2.5 - 3 pounds, they can shoot very well with a little care, but cheap they are not. When you can buy a variety of economy bolt action rifles for approximately the same amount of money, a single shot break open is not cheap. Like you said, if you put on different stocks, stub one or bore one out, you really can have a lot of bucks in them. You can put the same into a cheap bolt do a home trigger job and buy a barrel for $200 and have a good rifle too. After you sink some extras on, you could have bought a quality, middle of the road bolt action for the same amount of money, say a Remington 700. I recently bought a .243 700 ADL with a camo stock for $400 with rings, mount and a cheap scope. Handi rifles are very good and I ~~like~~ prefer single shot rifles, but cheap, they are not. BTW you can make a bolt a single shot by purchasing a tray for $15 or load one at a time for free. I have lamented on this before and I am definitely in the minority on this forum about Handi value.

Good Luck and Good Shooting

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 27, 2011, 03:08:35 AM »

Here is a source for .312 groove diameter 1 - 22" twist barrel blanks for $90. They were made specifically for the 32-20, but would work for 32 H&R Mag as well as the 327 mag and any of the 32 caliber cases like 7.62 X 39, if you use a short bullet

http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/productdetail.aspx?id=324061

Good Luck and Good Shooting

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** December 27, 2011, 05:38:25 AM »

You can probably rent a 303 reamer with a floating pilot and have them send a .300" pilot with it, that's the normal size used on .30 cal barrels, if you slug the barrel, you can find out exactly what the lands measure tho and order the pilot needed for the barrel.

Nevermind, I reread the thread, this doesn't help with a 32-20.

Tim

trotterlg · « **Reply #22 on:** December 27, 2011, 06:08:01 AM »

The reamer would then fit, but you would cut a neck, lead and throat the dimensions of a .312 barrel in a .308 barrel. Probably not exactly a good thing to do for accuracy. Larry

quickdtoo · « **Reply #23 on:** December 27, 2011, 06:26:45 AM »

If .284" bullets will work in an overbore (.2795" groove) 270 Win barrel, the 303 in a 30-30 barrel should work good enough, just ream it with a standard 303 reamer, even at a SAAMI MAP of 49kpsi, the slightly tighter bore shouldn't be an issue on an SB2 frame, handloading would be the better route, then a fella could tune the loads to work good without replying on factory ammo. You could always throat it if it's a problem.Tim

Sorry, this takes the thread off topic.

http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=77734&sid=831842c14bda12b465f50b8ce4c374ad

quickdtoo · « **Reply #24 on:** December 27, 2011, 07:32:58 AM »

Larry, since RIF is wanting to shooting cast, how about a 32-30 chamber adapter for a 30-30 or 308 Win barrel since 32ACP adapters seem to work, or is there too little difference in the case dimensions?

Tim

trotterlg · « **Reply #25 on:** December 27, 2011, 01:45:37 PM »

That could be a thought, I probably have a chunk of .312 barrel here make one with. Larry

cwlongshot · « **Reply #26 on:** December 27, 2011, 04:04:50 PM »

Quote from: petemi on December 26, 2011, 05:50:20 AM

Loaded with the 123/125 gr. 7.62X39 bullets, the .32-20's look like "Short Russians"

Pete

I also like the looks...

CW

smokehouserex · « **Reply #27 on:** December 27, 2011, 05:09:17 PM »

Hello cw:
I was just wondering about using the 30herrett as a parent case for a similar project, what do you think?

cwlongshot · « **Reply #28 on:** December 27, 2011, 05:14:00 PM »

The Herrett case is simply a 30-30 with a steeper shoulder and of coarse shorter. Made to work in a contender barrel. The 30-30 in a stock form, from a rifle beats it...

The 30-30 case is a good one in the handi, it could be blown out and neck reduced to gain quite a bit of case cap. If someone was interested... A bit of research the the record books, I would be quite surprised in someone had not already been there...

What are you wanting to achieve?

CW

smokehouserex · « **Reply #29 on:** December 27, 2011, 05:32:56 PM »

cw:
I have a short 06 pencil bbl. I was planning on a short insert for a 12ga,16", but did not want to leave it in 06 in case someone else should wind up with it sometime in the future and try to fire a full pwr. load in it. Just a fun project but didnt want something dangerous.
thanks
HM