Loading a 32-20 for Cowboy Silhouette

[Win9410]

My wife's uncle presented me with a vintage Winchester 92 in 32-20 this past September and I plan to shoot it for Cowboy Silhouette. I purchased a Marbles Tang Sight for it and need a height for a Lyman Globe Sight. Additionally, I plan to load for it and was hoping to gleen some information from you folks as to loads and any other information you can pass on to me in regard to selecting a load for it that will work in pistol cartridge. A number of the people who shoot the 32-20 at our club use Laser-Cast bullets. I don't cast myself and want to make the process as easy as possible. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. The barrel is 24"

[Shasta]

Your choice of a Marble's tang sight with a Lyman 17A globe front is a good one for cowboy silhouette shooting with your 32-20. That is exactly what I am using on my Cimarron 1873 in 32-20. I managed to make AAA class last year and just a couple weeks ago shot my first Master score (53x60). I would recommend the Lyman 17AHB sight, which is the lowest one. I would also suggest trying the Lee Shaver sight inserts. They are much finer than the inserts provided with the sight. Buffalo Arms Company is a great source for just about anything you might need.

I will tell you the load I have worked up for my rifle, but with this disclaimer; bear in mind my rifle is not an original but a modern-made reproduction. My load is not claimed to be safe in any other rifle. With that said, I cast my own 116 grain bullets using a Lyman 311008 mould. I size them at .312 using Javalina lube. This bullet is the standard plain base designed for the 32-20, and is possibly the one sold by LaserCast, although I don't know for sure. I use 10 grains of IMR 4227 powder with a Winchester Small Pistol primer. Velocity averages 1,380 fps from a 24" barrel.

Good Luck with your Winchester. It sounds like a nice one!

Shasta

[Griff]

Shasta,

Congrats on the Master classification!

[jnyork]

The Lasercast shoot very well in my Marlin, I am using 15.5 gr AA2200.

[Sixgun]

9410,
Looks like you and I will be shooting at the same club. (possibly ) I do attend the silhouette Regionals & State Champs up your way. (Tiadoghton & McKean clubs)

Every 1892 Winchester in 32-20 that I have measured has been .311 or .312. Get some .312 cast and load 'em with 5 or 5.5 grains of Unique with a small pistol primer. Very economical to load for, so it gives you lots of ammo to practice with. Its a load I have been using for over 30 years in a dozen or so 32-20's. You might find a very, very slightly more accurate load using slower powders or jacketed bullets, but I'm a thrifty guy. When I shoot, I NEVER give a thought to expense. Try that with Speer jacketed bullets

Griff,
I'm a master too---master of nothin' ----------------------Sixgun

[Wind]

Win9410 - Here is the Laser-Cast reloading manual page on 32-20's. Hope this helps. Wind

[jdad]

115gr Laser Cast, Starline Brass, Winchester WSP primer, 9.5gr 2400. Marlin 1894CL

[Win9410]

Thank you to everyone for the input. Sixgun, I shoot at Tiadaghton every Thursday evening and spoke with you at the state shoot. I'm anxious to try the gun out and want the weather to moderate so I can practice a bit. Take care. Matt

[colo native]

need som info on cb sil, what distances and size of targets..

[jdad]

need som info on cb sil, what distances and size of targets..

They're half the size of the Big Bore critters and half the distance, except for the chickens. 40,50, 75, &100m.

[cslcal]

Matt,

Ed and Judy, myself, and Clay are all using Unique. I use a 100 gr. Hornady XTP with 5.5 grs. of Unique. I am not into casting lead, but Ed loads his with the same powder charge with a 115 gr lead bullet. Ed passed that load on to me, and it shot so well I never tried anything else. In addition to being very accurate I have not had any ram knockdown problems either with this load.
It won't be long till we'll be back on the mountain shootin' steel. I am currently stuck up here in Boston, Ma. but this Sat. I am going to NH to shoot a SB cowboy match.
Al Foust

[Win9410]

Al, hope you're feeling well and will tear up the match in NH. I'm shooting some archery, but haven't broken a shot with the leverguns since the PA Shoot. I'm anxious to take a crack at the metal targets again and want to try the 32-20. Thanks to all for the information on the loadings. I have to get some brass and then I'll give it a shot.

Take care,
Matt

[cslcal]

Matt,

I am feeling great. This is more like a vacation than a medical procedure. Back to the 32-20; when you buy brass Starline will be better than Win. or Rem.

Al

[Tycer]

Midway just got Starline brall back in. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=339240

[jnyork]

Matt,

. Back to the 32-20; when you buy brass Starline will be better than Win. or Rem.

Al

What he said.