bullets for relaoding 32-20
I am considering getting one of those new Marlin 1894CLs in 32-20. My question is what bullets of the correct diameter can I use for reloading. It looks like there are Hornady pistol bullets but would rifle velocities be too high to use them? Thanks, Musky
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Hello a new marlin should shoot most any bullet that you can buy fairly well make sure that you buy a flat nose or very blunt round nose if you shoot in a tube magazine . I take this is going to be for cowboy action shooting so load "DOWN" to vel that both pistol and rifle will shoot without leading go with LYMAN reloading manual for lead Have fun 0 -
THE HORNADY PISTOL BULLETS WORK WELL AS WILL ALMOST ANY CAST BULLET FOR THE .30 CARBINE. I SHOOT A 115GN CAST POINTED BULLET IN A COUPLE OF LEVER GUNS I OWN AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS (I DO USE RIFLE PRIMERS). THE RECOIL IS ALMOST NOEXISTANT. 0 -
Thanks a bunch. I guess I wil try those Hornadys if I get the Marlin. Musky 0 -
Keep in mind, that although the the 25-20 and 32-20 were developed about the same time, the working pressure of the 25-20 is quite alot higher than the 32-20. Most older guns chambered for the 32-20 will NOT handle the load mapping that you see these days for CAS...most of the events are attended by a goodly number of new Marlins that will handle the 25-20 type pressures firing 32-20. My advice for bullets? Use lead! Cheap, makes your rifling last MUCH longer than jacketed bullets and the clean-up is not as bad as you would be lead to believe. Sometimes leading is caused by too low a speed, and sometimes too high a speed. The harness of the alloy makes alot of difference. I shoot a 45-70 load (1895 Guide Gun) with a gas checked 455 grain lead bullet at about 1900 fps. This is really moving for the type of round it's in, and it does lead up after awhile. I use USP bore paste for a couple of passes and then clean normally, and have a pretty, shiney, sharp barrel that looks like it will go another 5000 rounds before showing adverse effects.
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Muskox, I use gas checked lead bullets in my .32 WCF firearms - think it is Lyman 3115? (been a while since I cast any). These are nice and accurate. Cast from a hard alloy, you could achieve some respectable velocities from that M1894. Just be sure no one tries them in a M73 Winchester or older Colt SAA. I'm a firm believer in using lead bullets in rifles and wheelguns (for most shooting) when the velocities are under 2000 fps.
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Ohio Bullet Co makes two weights in copper plated lead in a SWC style.
Both shoot very well at about 1650FPS out of a rifle.
I think they are 90 & 110 grains.
I also use the lighter weight bullet in a 32 S&W Long revolver at below 1000FPS.0 -
Try this site.they have 77,92, and 100 grain bullets in .32cal.
http://nationalbullet.com/home.html
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Thanks everybody for the terrific feedback. I guess I will keep my eyes open and see if the 32-20's actually become available. Cheers, Musky 0 -
I mean't National which is in Ohio. Sorry, I was speaking from memory.
The bullets I have and use are the 95 & 118 gr copper plated flat point.
The company will sell you small sample quantities for testing.
Don't use the 77 gr RN bullet in a tubular magazine.
Some old loading data shows that in a strong rifle, the 32-20 can be loaded over 1800fps using lead bullets so the copper plating might be the way to go. National might have an answer.
The Hornady XTPs work great but they're more expensive.0
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