32-20 Uberti and a question

[LonesomePigeon]

Made some .32-20 with the Lyman #311008 115 grain bullet, sized .314" and a low end charge of .3.4 grains of Unique. It grouped pretty well in the Uberti SAA replica but POI was about 4" low. I was shooting at an indoor range with poor lighting and I had to get in a very akward stance in order to brace the gun. All that means is I think the groups which are pretty good already could be even better if I could sit in a nice bench with good lighting.

The target was about 15 yards away. If you are not able to read the data both loads are the same bullet(#311008 sized at .314") and same charge(3.4 gr. Unique) but they are a different alloy and different lube. The top target is 1:40 tin to lead and lubed with a beeswax and lamb tallow mixture. The bottom target was 1 Part Rotometals Hardball to 1 part Lead and it was lubed with Lee Liquid Alox.

[LonesomePigeon]

And now a question. I got these bullets from the discount bin at a local gun shop. Hornady 90 grain semi-wadcutter knurled lead .314" diameter. Since they are knurled they have no crimp groove. Where do I crimp? Just pick a spot on the knurled portion?

I will be shooting these out of a revolver only, not a rifle. As for loads I was going to use Lyman Cast Bullet 4th Edition data for cast 90 to 93 grain cast bullets, starting low with Unique, Titegroup or 231.

[Galloway]

Nice gun and nice shooting. Poor lighting usually makes me hit high. Not sure you could slow that load down much but a case filled with black powder might raise poi an inch or two as might a softer grip. Windage looks good however so you could always file the front sight a bit. Good luck

[Ranch 13]

Seat those hornady bullets to just lite crimp over the driving band. I tried some of those years ago and neither my colt or 92 Winchester would shoot them very good

[Johnson Barr]

Heavier bullets will print higher with the same powder charge. Try using 120gr.RNFP hard cast wax lubed bullets. Missouri Bullets makes a fine .32-20 .313 dia. that prints Point-of-Aim for me at WAS target distances.

[Abilene]

Heavier bullets will print higher with the same powder charge. Try using 120gr.RNFP hard cast wax lubed bullets. Missouri Bullets makes a fine .32-20 .313 dia. that prints Point-of-Aim for me at WAS target distances.

Missouri Bullet Company makes that 120gr bullet with regular lube, BP lube, or Hi-Tek coated, take your pick!

[LonesomePigeon]

Well I tried the Hornady 90 gr. SWC bullets. I was not too impressed but I am holding off final judgement because I had to shoot at the indoor range. The outdoor public range where I normally shoot has been closed until California Fish & Game decides to let it reopen. This was where the Chorro Valley Regulators used to shoot. It was a fantastic range. Hopefully it will reopen but nobody knows when.

Anyways, here are the targets. The 115 gr. Lyman #311008 with 3.5 gr. Unique performed the best, better than any of the Hornady 90 gr. SWC loads. If and when the outdoor range opens again I will try the #311008 load out to 50 and 100 yards. Once I feel confident in the load I will probably file down the front sight.

[RoyceP]

Heavier bullets will print higher with the same powder charge. Try using 120gr.RNFP hard cast wax lubed bullets. Missouri Bullets makes a fine .32-20 .313 dia. that prints Point-of-Aim for me at WAS target distances.

The advice Mr. Barr gives is valid and you should listen to him. The Hornady 90 grain bullets are not going to be better, they are going to be worse. The ones from Missouri are a fine product that you will like.

[Ranch 13]

Lonesome Pigeon you may want to look at slower burning powders. Pretty sure you'll find much better accuracy with lilgun and 2400

[LonesomePigeon]

I do appreciate the advice. I use the Lyman 311008 because I cast and it's the mold I have. The 120 gr. bullet is intriguing and I may try that. I only used the Hornady because I got them from the cheapie bin, $25/500.

[Coffinmaker]

  Hey Lonesome One

It would appear you have discovered WHY those Hornady bullets were in the "cheapie" bin.  Since you cast, melting 'em down for bullets that will group might not be a bad idea.  Expensive, but not "bad"

[Ranch 13]

For every 16 of those bullets thrown in the pot 100 grains of tin will give a very usable alloy 😁

[mtmarfield]

      Greetings, Lonesome Pigeon!

   My first replica SAA was ( is! ) an EMF Dakota .32WCF/4-3/4". I bought it in the mid-80's off of an old retired cop that ran a gunshop in his garage, a few blocks away from my folks place. Lightly used, I bought a few boxes of "Winchester White-Box" cartridges, and saved my empties.
   My first bullet mould was the Ideal #311316 gascheck; I believe that my alloy was mostly WW, about 10BHN to 12BHN, and I sized them to .311". I shot them without the gascheck over 4.5gr Hercules Unique; the Lyman 50th now shows a maximum of 4.0gr Alliant Unique. This load shot VERY well for me, but I eventually filed the front sight down to center it. We had kegs of Hodgdon's TITEGroup come in, and I bought one. It's great in my other western cartridges, but I haven't tried it in the .32WCF yet.
   Your Hornady 90gr swaged bullets might be a tad too soft for standard loads; or perhaps not. Try a pinch of faster powder, like Bullseye, 231, or such. If that doesn't work, see if sizing them down + LEE Tumble Lube works. Or, save them for the .32S&WL...!
   I did a little point-shooting with that cartridge, and thought it would be a really dandy flat shooting desert cartridge. I also tried a couple jacketed bullets that shot very well. I still have that "SAA". Perhaps I should break it out again!

        Keep Us Posted!

                 MTM

[Cliff Fendley]

I designed this mold and the late John Kort had Tom put it in the accurate catalog. Pour some up 20 to 1 and lube with black powder lube, 17 grains of black powder and rock on with some real fun and accuracy.
https://accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=31-115D

[King Medallion]

Cliff, that's what I'm looking for, Thank You! What diameter did you make yours? I have  Uberti SAA on the way, I'll take the cylinder to work and pin gauge the throats to be sure.

[Coffinmaker]

  King

  You do know Uberti doesn't make an SAA, right?? 

[Abilene]

No, they make SAA CLONES! HAHAHA!  Like that better?  You don't have to answer

[Black River Smith]

Cliff, that's what I'm looking for, Thank You! What diameter did you make yours? I have  Uberti SAA on the way, I'll take the cylinder to work and pin gauge the throats to be sure.

King,
Would you be kind enough to share what Uberti you bought.  I don't know who makes the SAA in 32-20 now-a-day. Did you buy just the regular Stoeger Uberti or a Cimarron version or something else?  I do see Cimarron does offer the cattleman and a JR version in 32-20.

I am interested in getting a SAA copy/clone  in this cartridge, also.

[King Medallion]

I actually don't have the thing yet! Ordered it Dec. 27TH, they finally deemed it lost in the mail last week and are sending a replacement, so should be here this week. I ordered a Cimarron 5.5" regular SAA. I have 15 test loads ready for it, just waiting for the gun and some warmer weather! I'll post pic's when it gets here.

[Abilene]

BRS, I see right now Taylors, Cimarron, and Dixie all have various 32-20 SAA Repros in stock.  They will all be 3-click models.  Dixie even has some BP framed 32-20's.  Cimarron's BP framed Ubertis are still 4 click but they only carry the 32-20 in Pre-War frame.