Martini Cadet 32-20 load

[Fossikker]

A few years back I took a Martini Cadet in trade for some gun work.  It had been re-chambered to 32-20 and appeared to be in decent condition.  The guy that had it couldn't get it to shoot without key holing and didn't care to shoot anything but factory ammo.  Go figure.  It languished in my safe for a couple of years.  Then, I sold my '85 Low Wall.  Fella that bought it placed a higher value on it than I did at the time.  Now, I've got a hat full of hand loaded 32-20 and a Cadet that key holes.  OK.  Step One:  Slug the barrel.  It mics at .3195".  Hmmmm, a 32-20 cast bullet mics .314".  That's .0055" under.  Now wonder it key holes...  Step Two:  Fire form cases.  Cool! They're already loaded! Step Three:  Find a bullet and a load.  Using Wayne Blackwell's most excellent "Load From a Disk", www.loadammo.com, I came up with the following:


Use this data at your own risk!


I found a 150 grain .321 cast bullet from Western Bullet Company (LBT#321.150).  Just right at .0015" over and soft lead. 


Do Not Resize The Brass.  Use a .323 Lyman 'M' die to expand and bell the neck. If you have access to a lathe and some good 320 and 400 grit emory cloth, you can take the expander plug down to .322 or so.  Doesn't take much to get it there.  Be careful.


Primer:  CCI Small Rifle


Powder:  10.0 grains of IMR 4227


Finger seat the bullet to the top groove and then a moderate amount of crimp with a Lee 32-20 Factory Crimp Die.  (Note: the Factory Crimp Die will not work on 310 Cadet length cases.)


It chronographs at 1150-1200 fps depending on the temperature. 


I got 1-3/4" groups out of it at 50 yards with 65 year old eyes.  A hoot to shoot.  When asked what caliber it is I tell them it's a "321 Roscoe".  It's usually good for an, OH??? 


The Cadet cleaned up nicely too.  Under a coat of hand and cheek grime was a nice piece of wood. 

[Hank08]

Good thinking Fossikker and good job on the woodwork.  I just put one together from a lot of odd parts that I've had for 30+ yrs.  I thought of doing the same but didn't think it would chamber with a .323 bullet.  Instead I chambered it for the 32-40 Win.and I'm shooting a 137 gr. 8mm Loverin bullet sized to .321.  It's shooting great, was out shooting it this morning and my lead pot is heating up now to cast some more bullets.  The mold was a Lyman 323470 165 gr.  I milled .150 off it to get the 137 gr. Neat guns!
Hank08
 

[Fossikker]

Thanks for the tip on the mold.  I'm going to look for one to add to the collection.  One can never have too many and I just happen to have a .321 sizing die for my lubrisizer.

[Graycg]

Old thread, but... I have three...
 
  I have one original other than the rechamber to 32-20, but my barrel slugs at .316 and I shoot Lyman 311316 gas checked bullets, unsized but well lubed over good stout loads of 2400 and they shoot really well, you can get a group in the 4-6 inch range at 100 yards with my older eyes. 
 
the other has the forend chopped down and has been rechambered to 32 winchester special, this one slugs at .319 and shoots factory ammo, not a great idea, but it works, does much better with .321 sized cast bullets over unique or 2400 loads.
 
last is full blown custom rig in 357 magnum, the cat's *ss!  super accurate!

[Gaz-52]

Old thread, but... I have three...
 
  I have one original other than the rechamber to 32-20, but my barrel slugs at .316 and I shoot Lyman 311316 gas checked bullets, unsized but well lubed over good stout loads of 2400 and they shoot really well, you can get a group in the 4-6 inch range at 100 yards with my older eyes. 
 
the other has the forend chopped down and has been rechambered to 32 winchester special, this one slugs at .319 and shoots factory ammo, not a great idea, but it works, does much better with .321 sized cast bullets over unique or 2400 loads.
 
last is full blown custom rig in 357 magnum, the cat's *ss!  super accurate!

         +1 for Unique . 3.5- 3.7 gn in the .310 cadet is the sweet load in my  martini, best accuracy seems to be at sub sonic mv in my experience. 32-20 would be similar , start at 3. gn and work up from there.
        Cheers Gaz,