Favorite 32-20 Load and 25-20 too!

Centerfires, rimfires, pistol cartridges and everything in between.
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TheBugFather
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Favorite 32-20 Load and 25-20 too!

Post by TheBugFather »

Looking for favorite load recipes for 32-20 or 25-20.

Especially subsonic loads.

Currently for me I have tried a 85gr Hornady jacketed, with 3.5 to 3.7gr of trail boss. Sounds subsonic.

Also tried a 78gr Brazos coated cast bullet with the same 3.5gr of trail boss, slightly supersonic at around 1150-1225 fps. As you can see over 5 bullets velocity is a little erratic but two test shots hit on top of each other at 50 meters. Of course 2 shots doesn’t make a group.

Trying to stay subsonic with hopefully a 50% case fill.

Any help is fantastic!

Thanks, Dennis
Last edited by TheBugFather on Thu Jan 23, 2020 9:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load

Post by Ojaileveraction »

Dennis,
1884cl, 25-25 MBC 86g 25-20 coated, under 3.5 grains Trail Boss .
For me this is a max load using the 86g bullet.
1116 fps ave., six shot string, 16 fps ave. deviation.
No group measure but a nice group off the bench on the PC pig swinger.

Also using the same bullet under H4198 at 1440 ave. FPS.
I get nice groups on the PC Ram swingers off the bench with that one.

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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load

Post by lijeboy »

Dennis,

Glenn and I have had two 25-20s and we now have four 32-20s. The best powder we have found, with a scope mounted on each gun for load development, is IMR4198. The load data in Lyman's 49th Edition loading manual as most accurate is the one we use in our 32-20s, pushing a 100 gr. XTP bullet at about 1100 fps. Our 25-20s like the bullets being pushed fast.
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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load

Post by DonM »

I've been using 5 grains of unique with a .312-.313 diameter cast 115 gr bullet in the 32wcf for a couple of lustrums now. Load works good in both Colt model P and Police positive handguns and most rifles.
When I want to take things up another level in rifles, use the same bullet with bludot or 2400 powder.

Tried the 85 gr hornady bullets but none of the guns seemed to care much for them.
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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load

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Thanks for the information, please keep it coming!
Very much appreciated!
Thanks, Dennis
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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load

Post by steelymcbean »

I agree with Jeanne. Lyman 48. 11 grains of IMR 4198 1122 fps. Very accurate. Hornady 100 gr. xpt. JM
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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load

Post by BrentD »

Dennis, you might ask Al. He has a great load for his Winchester in that caliber.
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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load

Post by cslcAl »

Dennis,

4.5 grs. of TiteGroup with a 90 hr. Sierra is what I use. TiteGroup is not position or temperature sensitive. I’ve had a lot of success with this load.

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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load

Post by DJA »

Dennis, is there a reason you want to stay subsonic? I tried a bunch of options for my 94cl .32-20, and it liked the hot loads the best.
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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load

Post by TheBugFather »

My shooting friend, Tony also likes hotter loads with flat trajectories, less trouble with sight changes.

I, on the other hand, am a terrible shot... flinching, jerking the trigger and lifting my head off the stock to see if I hit anything, most times before the bullet has even left the rifle.

My poor follow through and fear of recoil and muzzle blast are the main reason.

I have found that if I can spot my own hits or misses, through the front sight, I have a much better follow through.

The closer I can make something feel and sound like I'm shooting a standard velocity 22lr, the better.

For Rifle Caliber (Long Range) I'm selling my 30-30 and using a 357 mag subsonic with a 200gr. 35 Rem round nose jacketed.
No problems with knocking rams over, kind of like what the 38-55 people use.

Thanks for asking, Dennis
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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load

Post by TheBugFather »

Please keep them coming!
Thanks, Dennis
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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load and 25-20 too!

Post by richard »

I have a marlin in 32-20 and love the rifle. I have never used anything but 4.5 grains of unique with a 115 grain lyman cast bullet. Honestly I would suspect that the .38/.357 caliber would be the best all around for pistol cartridge silo but I really like to use the older calibers. It's just more fun for me that way. I started pistol cartridge with a 44-40 and although fun it was way more gun that needed for those targets. My friends that don't like to reload have actually gone to .22 magnum with new Henry rifles for PC.
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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load

Post by Ojaileveraction »

dwostler wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2020 9:57 am
For Rifle Caliber (Long Range) I'm selling my 30-30 and using a 357 mag subsonic with a 200gr. 35 Rem round nose jacketed.
No problems with knocking rams over, kind of like what the 38-55 people use.

Thanks for asking, Dennis
Are you using 38sp cases?
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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load and 25-20 too!

Post by TheBugFather »

Tim, Yes and No. My official load I use 357 Mag brass.

Several people have asked what I load, so I'll post pictures and a better description later tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks, Dennis
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Re: Favorite 32-20 Load and 25-20 too!

Post by Another Dang 9 »

I wish they made a PC rifle in 38 sp. I've had good luck shooting those even in a .357 mag chamber. The powder to case ratio is perfect. The extra long chambers of .357 mag aren't perfect for it but in a bind for ammo it works fine.
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