32-20 loads for 1873 winchester

deerstalkert

June 17, 2011 14:47

hello, i just picked up a 1873 winchester and would like some smokeless loads that would be safe in it. shoots well with BP loads but i am getting old and tired of he cleanng needed with same. thanks

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  v35

  June 17, 2011 18:58

  Buy standard lead bullet loads or Cowboy Loads for your 1873.
  Ammunition makers today only load low velocity loads in 32-20, 38-40 and 44-40 but for some strange reason some makers load jacketed bullets in them.
  Avoid the jacketed bullets.
  Better yet, buy a Lee reloading outfit and use the dipper that goes with
  the die set.

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  deerstalkert

  June 18, 2011 08:46

  V35 thanks for the input. have any loads insmokeless tatwould be safe? i am reloading now with 20grs volume of triple seven but would like some smokeless loads.

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  v35

  June 20, 2011 19:35

  For light loads, I've loaded 4.1 gr Unique with 90 gr & 4.3 gr Unique with copper washed, 115 gr RNFP lead bullets.
  Bullets are from National Bullet Co, now out of business, but I have a good supply.
  Several other bullet makers sell the same style lead bullets.
  These are very light 1200fps NRA loads and fun for plinking.
  I wouldn't shoot jacketed bullets in it even though the 1873 was made up till 1920, well into the smokeless era.

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  deerstalkert

  June 20, 2011 20:26

  thanks v35. i found a box of remington factory loads with 100 gr lead and cronoed them at 865 fps. my 20 grs of triple seven sent 115 grn. lead at 1380 so the factory is VERY cautious. will try the unique loads. thanks again

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  v35

  July 17, 2011 22:16

  Factory high speed loads for 115 grain bullets were about 1650FPS.
  I'd lighten up a bit to about 1200 for your gun.
  They still are satisfying to shoot.
  The lead bullet loads are designed to also be safe for pistols and are a waste in a rifle.
  There are old K-Frame S&Ws and Spanish copies around.

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