I have heard numerous comments regarding this chambering indicating its "loading difficulties".  It has been described as "difficult to load", and "fussy".  Could anyone elaborate? I don't understand. The brass seems to be good to go right out of the box.  Availability of cases has been no problem. Other components such as primers, powder, wad material, etc. are standard fare. If my bullets are consistently cast, weighed and lubed and my primers are carefully set and my powder is accurately measured and my wads are uniform, where's the problem? Is there a "gremlin" awaiting that I've yet to meet? Thanks.

I have a CPA in 32/40, have used it for years- super accurate. Have three CPA's no problem with the loading from the standpoint of the rifle. 32/40 has never been a fussy cartridge for me for getting great accuracy. Breech seating in both BP and smokeless gives excellent accuracy.
Bob
Iowa

Why not give Paul At CPA a call and ask him. He's a wealth of knowledge and very helpful. Also there is a few comments on the CPA web site about that cartridge. 

                                                     Sendaro

All of the high-density .357 bases cases are a little more “fussy” about load variations than the higher capacity like the 32-40 and 38-55s. If you already have good load technique there should be no problem. Also when some have tried these shorter, higher density cases they stuck with the same old powders they used in their higher capacity cases and reported problems. The bottom line is that if you do your homework and have good load technique you should have no problems. 
All of the smaller cases can be a challenge to case life higher velocity loads produce sticky cases faster. Reworking the brass can make it brittle in the neck area annealing is the answer. However just like refining your loading technique, a fresh look at annealing is a must. Brass is a wonderful conductor of heat. I recommend that when annealing short brass like the CPA 32-20 or 32MS that the cases be placed on cold water with about 3/8” sticking out. Run your torch lightly over the necks. DO NOT keep it there until the case goes cherry at that you have over annealed them. Over annealing means that the softening has gone all the way down the case into the transition with the web. This allows the cases to stretch and eventually separate at the transition.

40 Rod

I've collected all firearms in .32-20 for nearly 40 years and used it Schuetzen shooting.  Never any problems anymore than any other cartridge/case.  For schuetzen loads, usually breech seated, I've used most every possible powder but always go back to 4227.  About 10 grains is a good start.  Think about it - .32-20 is purty durn close to the .32 Miller.

I'm another user of the 32/20 but, in my case it is with a .308 barrel. From what I've read on the forum and from talking to one other .308 barrel user, the main problem is the brass, especially the Starline brand.

I built the rifle for my wife on a 44/45 Stevens. I wanted it to be competitive but, I knew had a limit on the pressure I could run and that ment about 1300 - 1350 fps with #9 and H108. The rifle had a 11 twist so, I thought that would work out fine and it should have. I used 160 - 190 gr bullets. Two of them match bullets, a Ron Long and a NEI bullet that Merrill Martin used.

It wasn't my rifle to use in matches so, my time with it was limited, I had my own new 33 caliber to work out. 

It did show one extremely good group at 200 shot by my wife, a 1.5, five shot  group with 4 in 7/8's. The normal groups ran between 2 1/4 and 4+ inches. Cases were a problem! I'm a one case shooter, we only seperated one case but, the heads enlargered until they won't chamber and two other cases had impending seperations. I used Winchester cases and from the stories of Starline users, I think the winchesters are stronger!

The other .308 barrel user had many Starline's seperate, also. He had RMC cases made with a straight interior and at last report, they were working.

I'm not done with the 30 cal 32/20, I bought a 12 twist Douglas barrel (used and already set up) for a small thread HW for her to shoot this year so, I won't have to worry about pressure issues but, I believe pressure IS the issue in the 32/20 case in that the cases aren't made by any source to take the pressure we generate with higher SD bullets.

You guy's shooting the 32/20 need to look for Winchester cases to use or try the RMC's. Another suggestion is to try lighter bullets if you have any to see if the cases last longer.

I will try muliple cases this year and see if that improves accuracy for my wifes new rifle

I believe the reason that the Miller short isn't as troublesome is it's stronger brass

RayH wrote on Feb 26^th, 2014 at 3:23pm:


Book deals, royalties, fame! Ah!

   Joe. 

John,
Your using a very simular case now, in your 28, is it sticking? Most of the Millers stick because the rear portion of the chamber is to small a reamer design problem.

I got a PM from someone stating that he thought that my loading of the 32/20 was to hot for a 44 so, I'm going to clearify why I did so, I would not recommend it for the standard action. The standard action is excepted for 25/20ss and the 32/20 has a 9% larger case head and 9% more breech thrust pressure for the same breech pressure.

First the action is a 32/40 action with a hammer block breech system that I think is worth a extra 30% in strength, (base on the realitive size of the breech block and hammer screw size) as part of the breech block thrust is taken by the hammer screw. It has a modern barrel and radial pressure isn't a issue.

Next I ran Quickload for for pressures based on the fastest powder being AA#9 (I also used 4227 & Ramshot) and used 25% less thrust as the BP 32/40 pressures  would generate using the molds that I have on hand. I also limited my chonographed velocity to that pressure. So basically the powder charge limit, was set when #9 reached 1350 fps with my 190 gr bore riding bullet.

I DID NOT chamber it on a hunch that it might be ok. I did my research. It's had about 1000+ rounds through it and there are no signs of wear in the breeck block. 

Frank