32/20 performance

[boats]

I had the 32/20 Marlin 1894 out at a match today. My first match with the gun. I am a long time Silhouette shooter new to Cowboy. Shot my Marlin 39 A with Eley Silhouex first then the Cowboy Pistol caliber with the 32/20 then third match using the Marlin 39 A again. .22 scores a little bit higher offhand than the 32/20 and spot vs call was a little closer. The 39 A is a proven performer, often times when testing ammo for one of my Bolt or Single shot Match .22's will run some through it just to see how it does. It's a little bit better than a 2 moa rifle. Perhaps 1 1/2 moa or a bit larger. My impression was the 1894 32/20 is not shooting as close as the .22

After the match put the 32/20 on a bench rest. Perfect conditions no wind good diffused light. Am no bench rest shooter however and there is some sighting error with the post front. It shot 2 moa 5 shoot groups at 50 meters. No doubt take it out to the 100 meter Ram line I am going to be lucky to make 4 inch groups. This with Oregon Trail laser Cast 115 FP's and 4.5 of Unique.

It's not a match rifle for sure but wonder of I can get a little more out of the cartridge. Might be because I don't trust Unique for accurate loads. 32/20's are getting popular again with Single Shot shooters and most all use 4227 in near case full loads. They also use a faster twist and heavy bullets something I can't do with the Marlin

Any advice ?

Boats

[the ex pom]

10 to 10.5g 4227 and a 115g bullet works well in most of the 32/20's i've seen.

[boats]

Ex Pom Thanks, that's what I was looking for, Will load some up and report results.

Boats

[jnyork]

10 to 10.5g 4227 and a 115g bullet works well in most of the 32/20's i've seen.

Have been using 10.3 grains, works for me.

[deadeye dave]

I use 3gr trailboss behind 115 lead projectile. I do not know how it shoots of a rest but the first time I shot it , 29 was the total. The rifle is a Win 92 made in 1906.

[toad]

hi all
that's a girl's load deadshit dave i shoot 3.5 grains of trailboss and shot a 33 with that load and a 33 in rifle with 14.5 gr trailboss 340 gr 45-70 . you need more noodles

regards toad

[44 mag]

I shoot 4grns of unique with a ranier 100 grn hp.Shot a 36 and 37 with it.cuts holes at 50 meters.i had no luck with the laser cast bullets.

[toad]

hi all
looks like i have to go up a half grain

regards toad

[boats]

You guys using 10 or so of 4227 what sort of sight changes are you getting. I expect velocity is a lot more than same bullet with 4.5 of Unique and the rifle shoots flatter. I am zero Chickens, shoot Pigs same sight. Turkeys add 11 clicks Rams another 12 for 23 from Zero. This with a Lyman 66 and 22 inch sight radius.

Also do you see much more recoil and muzzle blast with the 4227 load ? Flat shooting is not a negative but if it starts to blast and kick more that may be negative. Whats the opinion on that ?

In the matches 39A I shot a 33 leaving one Ram Standing. Pistol Caliber with the 32/20 31 and felt I was breaking shots just as good as with the .22 Score differnce figureing in the Ram left is 3 targets on 40 or almost 10 % difference in the two rifles. Do Pistol Caliber rifles shoot the same scores as Rimfire ?

Boats

[jnyork]

Chicken- 0 , Pig +4 , Turkey +4 more , Ram + 4 more. This is with Marlin 1894CL, Marbles tang sight, Lyman 17a with post, 6 o'clock hold on all targets. You should be able to shoot the same score average with centerfires, I can tell no difference at all. The 4227 load is very mild with no muzzle blast and negligible recoil.

[boats]

Again Thanks

You convinced me. Am loading up some 4227 tonight test it on paper critters club Silhouette range next weekend

Boats

[jnyork]

Post your results, boats, am mighty curious.

[TURKEYSFEARME]

I haven't shot my rifle for groups off the bench but I wouldn't be afraid to say it shoots MOA or better! I load 3.5 gr green dot with the lyman 115 grain plain base bullet sized to .315
I shoot cast out of all of my handguns and leverguns and cast all my own, commercially cast bullets are crap! The main reason is the hard lube on them It looks good and stays on them in the boxes unfortunately it also stays on the bullet after fired and doesn't really do much as "lube"

[boats]

Turkeys You are right about many store bought lead bullets. I note your Lymans are .315, larger than the laser cast. That's probably a good thing bit over bore size has always worked well for me.

I go both ways on casting. Two CPA Schuetzen rifles 38/55 and 32/40 cast from Hoch nose pour molds bored to fit the leade & barrels, use carefully mixed 1/25 alloy and pan lube with SPG. Result needed to competete in Schuetzen offhand sets a high standard and any less won't do. Also shoot revolvers in IDPA and buy 158 gr 38 spl and 230 45 ACP bullets pre cast by the thousand. It's a lot of trouble to cast the volume I use and store bought does fine in S&W's.

I don't know were the CLA gun will fit in my routine, might have to cast for the 32/20 to get whats required. I think it needs 1 1/2 moa on the Ram line 10 shot groups after 30 rounds have been put through the bore, Same as if it was in a match. Thats a pretty high standard for a light lever action iron sighted rifle. 12 lb Iron sight 32/40 single shot only shoots a bit better than 1 1/2 moa at 200. No doubt best result would be with Jackated but not going in that direction. Have looked at the Laser Cast 115 gr bullets and they would pass my inspection if I had cast them. I don't know about how they fit the leade and bore though. Couple hundered I have put through the 1894 so far no lube issues. Small bullets can be difficult to cast & turn out good not sure I could do better. If powder changes won't improve things may have to look at bullets.

Boats

[the ex pom]

Boats you are fairly well on the mark with the comments about bought projectiles. I prefer casting my own in molds I have made, but these days I can get a bit time poor so I resort to shop bought projectiles. Never ever shoot copper in cowboy silhouette though, handling them will probably give you warts. Lead bullets all the way. And for those who say they dont work in micro groove barrels I'll be sure to note it as i'm smashing rams one after another.