Recreating the original .32WCF loading

[Little Dalton]

So a dear friend was given an 1873 in .32 caliber today, manufactured in 1885. She may not be shootable without lining, cleaning will tell. Very straight and unaltered, looks like it's never been refinished or overcleaned. But, there's a lot of pitting on the exterior of the barrel and mag tube near the muzzle- scares me, but we haven't cleaned the bore yet.

If we have to get it lined, we will. My advice to my friend, which I think he will take, is to leave the gun alone other than that and a thorough cleaning that leaves the patina intact . Anyhow, we definitely want to shoot her- so now I need to get a mold, brass, and dies. I am strictly using Swiss powder, and only interested in replicating the original late 1880s loading. Any pointers on loads, and especially a mold? Does Accurate already have a design for an original style bullet? I know the late John Kort had played with the .32WCF in addition to the .44WCF, but I don't know anything beyond that. The Accurate 31-110C looks very much like John's .44 design, and the 31-110L looks like maybe a good two-groove design. I'd prefer to get as close to the original bullet as I possibly can. Thanks in advance!

[Jeff Michel]

Lyman 3118, 115 grain.

[Major 2]

The 32 WCF (32/20) is a cartridge near and dear to me.
It was the first round of any power beyond 22 short and LR, I got the shoot as 9-year-old kid.

It was my Dads S&W Hand ejector circa 1926, I still have it and load a cast LEE 93 grain .(311  311-93-1R)
It is however not the bullet for your 73.

I have a Circa 1891 Mod 73, for it I use the BP Big Lube Bullets from Springfield Slim.  These are a little heavier at 115 grains and mic at .313.
Sadly, Springfield Slim is no longer casting, however I purchased a supply when he was.
I also have a cache' of Missouri Bullet Co.s Hi-tech coated.

I also have a Colt SAA in 32/20 and a Marlin Classic. 



                                                                                                                                               

[Little Dalton]

Lyman 3118, 115 grain.

That looks like exactly what I want, thank you. Now to get that in a 5-6 cavity block from Accurate- I do wonder how close his 31-110L is, it looks like the same bullet, possibly with slightly larger lube grooves which isn't a bad thing. I wish I could find a measured drawing of the Lyman bullet to compare.

[Major 2]

I'll try to give you more about the Missouri Bullet Co.s Hi-tech coated.

You can see the Red Hi Tech coated on the right in the photo above size to .313" dia.

Here is the Marlin
Dads Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector
and my Colt

[Coffinmaker]

I know you guys already know this, but Hi-Tec coatings do absolutely nothing for Black Powder shooters.  Shooting BP you gotta have enough BP compatible lube.  Hi-Tec is acceptable though, iff your shooting APP.

[Major 2]

Of mine, only the 73 gets BP or APP and the Springfields Slim cast bullet on the left.

The Hi-Teks are on the right for the Smith & Wesson

[Black River Smith]

Little Dalton,

If you are recreating the original, why not search and wait for an original Winchester bullet mold off of Ebay.  Since you are willing to spend 100+ for an Accurate, just get the original one in decent shape.  Then after finding that or before, just buy a Winchester 1882 -- 32WCF plier reloading tool off of Ebay, too.

Then the BP you stated using and these two 'will' recreate the original cartridge, all the way.

Starline brass and the right amount of powder will work up a good cartridge.

Just a thought.

[U.S.M.R.]

Rather than worrying about bullets and dies, look for brass. It's hard to come by. I just got some from Mid South Saturday and was darn glad to get it.  If you see some from a legitimate seller snap it up.

[Black River Smith]

Rather than worrying about bullets and dies, look for brass. It's hard to come by. I just got some from Mid South Saturday and was darn glad to get it.  If you see some from a legitimate seller snap it up.

The above comment is correct.

Because of this I started working on a reforming experiment using a 357 Mag casing to 32-20.  I got a good looking final product but still need -- final neck measurements for Outer Neck after expansion to 0.306" for a 0.308 bullet and then also Outer Neck after expansion to 0.311 for the 0.313 bullet.  What is the outer diameter of anyone's finished 32-20 casing?  What is the bullet diameter most people are using in their firearms?  What is the Neck Inner Diameter of anyone's pistol chamber?  SAAMI rifle chamber is listed as 0.3271.  I cannot find SAAMI for a revolver chamber.

One thing to understand here is that --- I do not own a 32-20 firearm at all.  Three years ago after reading all the posting about the 32-20, I luckily got a mis-identified RCBS set for cheap.  Then bought my Winchester molds from eBay, for cheap.  Then got a Winchester reloading tool, for even cheaper.  Then got a C/H die set that was for loading the modern 30-20 barrels (0.308 bullets).

All by sheer luck, I will admit.

With no easily available brass to practice reloading, I embarked on this reforming project.  It is not for the 'faint of heart' reloader.  Several dies, base and rim diameter thinning.  I don't completely know if I still need to thin down the inner necks of these .357 conversions.  Sometimes I feel like our own, 'ndnchf' member, with all his brass converting projects.

Still, Little Dalton all the luck in putting everything together and then shooting this little brother to our beloved 44/40 and 38/40.

[U.S.M.R.]

The nice thing about shooting.32-20 is that it's economical. Also the brass uses small pistol primers which are easy to get.

[Major 2]

Checking Starline, 32/20 is Out of Stock /No Backorders at this time.
I think they just did a run a short time back, no clue when they will start production again.

[U.S.M.R.]

Midway has nickel plated Starline.32-20 brass.

[Abilene]

Midway has nickel plated Starline.32-20 brass.

And 19 hours later, surprisingly, they still have it.  It is 30% more expensive than unplated brass.  I ordered 500 just because.  I will load my BP rounds in nickle.  And they have free shipping right now on $99+.

[Black River Smith]

Little Dalton,

I am bring this posting back up, to find out what you and your friend decided, on how to load the 32-20 casings.

What bullet mold did you go with and what dies or tool are you using?

Have you been able to shoot the rifle since first posting?

Just interested in how this project is going for you both.

[King Medallion]

Starline has 32-20 brass open for back order at this time. https://www.starlinebrass.com/32-20-brass

[Cliff Fendley]

The Lyman 311008 is the mold number now that is the old two groove bullet like originals.

31-115D is a big lube groove bullet in the Accurate catalog that I designed for the optimal loaded length for smooth operation of the 1873 rifles and the late John Kort did the print on and submitted it. I probably should contact Tom and have him list what that bullet is for. I shoot both of those two bullets regularly in main match CAS.

[RoyceP]

Starline has 32-20 brass open for back order at this time. https://www.starlinebrass.com/32-20-brass

When I click on the link I get this: Out of Stock /
No Backorders at this time

[Abilene]

When I click on the link I get this: Out of Stock /
No Backorders at this time

That's because you are about a month late.  When Starline opens up orders for any of the dash calibers, they usually sell out within hours.  And they don't make it often.  So if you really need it, get on their email notification list for next time they have it and then keep looking elsewhere because it might be a while.

But having said that, today is your lucky day, Midway has Starline 32-20 brass (not nickle) in stock right now:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1021322072?pid=872585

And as far as that goes, Midway also has Starline 38-40 in stock.  And Starline has it on "backorder" which means you can place an order which usually ships in a few weeks.

[Black River Smith]

Little Dalton,

I will try asking these questions again,

I am bring this posting back up, to find out what you and your friend decided, on how to load the 32-20 casings.

What bullet mold did you go with and what dies or tool are you using?

Have you been able to shoot the rifle since first posting?

Just interested in how this project is going for you both.