Considering a 32-20 caliber

Centerfires, rimfires, pistol cartridges and everything in between.
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dan2116
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Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by dan2116 »

I am beginning in lever action silhouette and wanted opinions of .357 vs. 32-20 . Being the .357 is cheaper and easier to load is the accuracy the reason for the 32-20's popularity?
tnchicknsnipr
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Re: Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by tnchicknsnipr »

Stay with the 357. Have 2 by Henry. Wife shot a long run record in NH. Shot a 8 shot 1 inch group at 50 yards with iron sights. Both rifles are big boy steels. More choice of bullets and brass.
dan2116
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Re: Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by dan2116 »

Was the group with a light or heavy bullet.
tnchicknsnipr
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Re: Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by tnchicknsnipr »

Hornady 125 gr xtp 6.5 grains n320 wspm primer. Used as cla load. PC load is berry 125 fp 5.0 titegroup wspm primer starline brass. Both loads are spot on. Thinking about using berry 158 to replace Hornady. Works through turkeys on cla.
1894User
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Re: Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by 1894User »

Welcome to Cowboy PC Silhouette!

I have 357 and 32-20 and compete with a Marlin CL in 32-20. However if you are just getting into the game the difference in accuracy that the 32-20 can give you will be secondary to how hard it is to find ammo and reload. 357s can easily be loaded on a progressive press and give outstanding accuracy (I use 125 XTPs with a charge of Power Pistol that will give 1 1/4 in at 100yds all day long off a bench.) 32-20 will beat that but must be loaded single stage due to the thin brass. Currently I am just dumb enough to be playing with 25-20 which is tougher still, but I like the loading challenge. The accuracy difference is minimal; more time at the range will increase your scores faster than more time at the reloading bench.

Best wishes on which ever decision you make.

JW
dan2116
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Re: Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by dan2116 »

Has anyone used small rifle primers in the 32-20 in place of sp mag primers. The difference between the two seems to be the cup is a bit shorter and the cup material is a little harder or thicker. The ignition material is stated to be the same.
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Re: Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by Another Dang 9 »

You should always use the sm. rifle primers in 32-20. If your shooting it in a rifle.
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richard
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Re: Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by richard »

I shoot a 32-20 and I like it a lot, however the .357 is a good choice for the sport. .357 is all around easier to deal with but I just prefer the old time calibers. I just think it is fun to shoot them. I also have a 44-40 but that is way more gun than you need for pc silo.
Regarding some previous comments, yes some of the reloading books do say to use small rifle primers BUT the correct primer in 32-20 is small pistol. A friend used rifle primers and had lots of issues with his handloads. I use small pistol and have no issues.
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Re: Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by DJA »

dan2116 wrote: Mon Sep 04, 2017 10:45 am Has anyone used small rifle primers in the 32-20 in place of sp mag primers. The difference between the two seems to be the cup is a bit shorter and the cup material is a little harder or thicker. The ignition material is stated to be the same.
Probably depends on what powder you are trying to ignite. I often use 2400 in my .32-20 loads. Chronograph testing showed more consistent velocity with small rifle primers compared to small pistol. When loading with pistol powders, I use pistol primers just because that combination proved best in 22 Hornet, but I have not validated that with the chronograph.
dan2116
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Re: Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by dan2116 »

Well.......I Found a 32-20 marlin this weekend and it's on the way. Called Starline and they recommended small rifle primers for my use. What I am trying to narrow down now is what die set to get for it. I would like to stay with Redding or RCBS and a separate crimping die was a very good idea. I have reloaded tons of .45 , 44 , .357 , etc on my Dillon 550 but was wondering if the 32-20 will function well in a progressive reloader.
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Re: Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by twidpa »

Dan,
RCBS ammo master auto progressive press works well for thin necks. The powder drop is actuated by the shell plate carrier and not the shell itself. It also has enough die holes to use a Lyman M die and a Lee factory crimp die in addition to your favorite sizing and bullet seater dies. I find not using the neck to work the powder drop and the properly adjusted M die and crimp dies are very important to not loosing cases. I also use small pistol primers as I have not been able to record a difference in 100 meter accuracy between pistol or rifle primers. That may change as I try different powders.
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Re: Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by glen ring »

I have 4 32-20 marlins and I am selling my 357 mag cowboy. I like the 32-20 round so much better. 32-10 is a fine PC round. Get a new hornady manual and you'll see loads there for modern rifles . Most loading manuals take into consideration old guns and pressures. The only 32-20 I might buy now is an 1873 with 24 inch Octagon barrel. They are very nice looking and heavy.
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Re: Considering a 32-20 caliber

Post by Westy »

I have to agree with Glenn here I have 2x 357's and 2x 32-20 and I love the punch of the 357 but find the 32-20 a better rifle to shoot for this purpose just my 2 cents...
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