Folks,
I have an opportunity to purchased a almost new Uberti Low Wall in 32-20 WCF. Would like some thoughts on reloads and max bullet weight. Just plan on using as a 100 yd primarily. Would also like to start casting my own bullets.
Also, would it be possible to have this re-chambered for breech seating?
Your combined expertise would be appreciated.
Steve

I much prefer "rifle" loads, that is, 4759, 4227 rifle powders and Lyman 31108 or Saeco 322 115-120gr plain base bullets at 1100 fps up to 1500 fps or more and chamber pressures from about 12.000psi to 25.000 or so PSI. Older Lyman loading manuals are a good source for such loads, as well as some newer manuals.

I also find Lead Bullet Technology 125-135 grain GC large flat nose bullets and 4227 powder give good groups in my original Winchester LW 32-20 with 20-1 twist. My rifle is primarily for hunting -- turkeys, javalinas, foxes, etc. up 125-150 yds.

Some popular 32-20 loads use shotgun or pistol powders (Unique, 7625, Blue Dot, Red Dot, etc., etc) and 100-115grain plain base bullets at 11.000-13.000 fps and around 12.000-15.000 PSI (basically BP equavalent loads). An Internet search should find a lot of loads with these and other such powders.

Grisen

I own a twin of your rifle. so far I have found the Lyman 3118 has shot the tightest groups. I have shot several groups under an inch at 100 yards with this bullet and 5.8 gr. of 7625. the burning rate is close to unique so I am sure you could find a powder close by if you don't have any. also the saeco #630 140 gr. has shot groups of around the same size, but I am not done load testing with that bullet. the saeco should not be stable but it is. right off hand I am not sure of the powder charge so I wont make a stab at it as no reason to take a chance. the one common problem with these rifles is the extractor may rub against the frame and you might have to take it out and stone it a bit so it will move freely. and I have not tried breach seating yet my I plan on in the future. all groups have been shot at 100 yards. I think you made a wise choice in this caliber it is accurate low recoil cheap to shoot heck I cant think of any downside except it isn't an elephant rifle. if you want I will send you some load data and results for the different bullets I have tried. joe g.

what charge of herco are you using. just happened to pick up a 4 lb jug recently. joe g.

One of my favorite loads is a 100 grain bullet with 4.5 grains of Unique. About 1200 fps, and very accurate in many of my .32-20 guns. Lot of loads per pound of powder too!

JS47 wrote on Jul 5^th, 2016 at 10:25pm:


Makes me slightly nervous, as I use 14 g.  But no signs of excessive pressure.   

Never, however, came close to 1 MOA--more like twice that at the VERY best.  This is in an original HW with a (can you believe it?) 30" #3 brl, having an excellent (but not perfect, bore), and SST. Yes, I know that ALL John Campbell's HWs routinely shot MOA (or so we were told), but bad karma, or something, has prevented me ever from owning one of those...though I've owned & shot quite a few over the last 50 yrs.

JS,

Have you looked at the Lyman Reloading Handbook 43rd Edition?

Paco Kelly's article " (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)"
Lists a wide range of 32-20 loads, over a wide range of chamber pressures.

Some of us use 30 carbine listed starting loads that also have chamber presssures. 30 carbine case is about 10% smaller inside capacity than 32-20. Use ONLY loads that have chamber pressures totally safe for your gun. For example, Lyman 47 lists IMR-4227 loads for Lyman 311410 (130 grains) starting at 10,6 gr velocity 1366 fps CUP 24.600 (DO NOT USE IN COLT OR S&W DAs or WIN 73s OR CLONES). When I use this load, Remington and Starline 32-20 cases extract easily from my original Win LW, and similar loads have done so over at least 1000 rounds -- headspace still tight. I started below that with LBT 135 gr and Lyman 311410 and am slowly working up looking for smallest groups and easy extraction. Case failures for my 32-20s have all been from split mouths, from over crimping.

Lyman #44 and Ideal #38 have data for 4227 with 110/115 gr bullets. 

I deplore the fact that more current loading manuals give mostly "pistol" loads of fast burning pistol or shotgun powders. 32-20 is a RIFLE cartridge in my world, just like 38-40 and 44-40 and I load them accordingly for hunting turkeys, etc. 

Grisen