32/20 loads for a 1889 marlin

[bubba15301]

anyone have loads for a 1889 marlin 32/20 made in 1890?

[fordwannabe]

I use 9.0 grains of 2400 with a 100 grain xtp in my original 1892 winchester. I have a 1889 in 44-40 and I bet they are about the same strength. As always work up the load and STOP AT THE FIRST SIGNS OF EXCESS PRESSURE. Good luck Tom

[AJMD429]

Keep an eye on this thread, and I'll bet you get lots of responses.

I can't remember my last load (still have the ammo from 15 years ago) but I did find I had to use jacketed bullets to get best accuracy due to a pitted barrel.

I get lots of loads from LoadData.com and AmmoGuide.com, but both require small registration fees. The LoadData site is pretty much all 'manufacturers data', whereas the AmmoGuide one also has lots of 'user-submitted' loads, but allows an amazing array of search and sort functions vs. the other sites which all seem rather primitive in that regard. I don't use any load from either site, or from a 'printed' reloading guide, until I've seen at least two other trusted sources give essentially identical loads.

Anyway, I'm sure some of the guys here have lots of load suggestions...

[gundownunder]

I use 9.5gr 2400 behind a 115gr cast bullet but my rifle is a modern Marlin.
Many of the blokes I shoot with swear by 4.5gr of Trailboss behind the same bullet but I found that to be less accurate.
If your rifle is that old you may want to check it with a gunsmith to make sure it is safe to use, before you start.

[Tycer]

5 or 5.5 grains of Unique under a 115 grain bullet, small pistol primer. If you buy a matching old revolver, 3 grains of Bullseye and the same bullet. This is per Sixgun and several others who have much experience with old 32-20s.

[jdad]

The barrel steel, on the 1889, is softer than the later "special smokeless steel" barrel. Stick with lead unless you want to eventually reline. I found anything between 8-9gr of 2400 under a 115gr cast was fine.

[Chuck 100 yd]

My Uberty 73 and Winchester 53 in .32-20 both just love
8 gr. 2400 under a cast bullet of115 gr. sized .314 .
I cast the Lyman 311308 PB bullet of 50/50 WW/pure.

[AJMD429]

The barrel steel, on the 1889, is softer than the later "special smokeless steel" barrel. Stick with lead unless you want to eventually reline. I found anything between 8-9gr of 2400 under a 115gr cast was fine.

Good point; the reason I'm using jacketed is that the bore was so pitted that the gunsmith way back in 1973 or so told me to fire about 500 rounds of jacketed through it at 'vintage' velocities, then go to cast and see if accuracy had improved; if not, reline, and if so, just keep shootin'... I still have almost 100 of those loads to go, but have since then got into .357/38 out of rifles, and have a modern .32-20, so the poor old girl is getting neglected. Glad this thread reminded me I 'have work to do'.

[Canuck Bob]

I am reloading soon but can attest to how much fun factory loads with lead bullets are. You can have a real nice round and not need to crank it up. I consider mine a 32 caliber souped up 22 Rimfire Mag.

[bubba15301]

what velocity should i get with 9.0 grains of 2400 and a 95 grain lead swc?

[jdad]

what velocity should i get with 9.0 grains of 2400 and a 95 grain lead swc?

I would guess in the 1300fps range.

[piller]

Sounds like the loads for a .327 Federal Magnum. With so many of the 32/20s around, it would seem that the .327 Mag was not really necessary, except for it being a straight wall case and easy to reload.

[AJMD429]

Sounds like the loads for a .327 Federal Magnum. With so many of the 32/20s around, it would seem that the .327 Mag was not really necessary, except for it being a straight wall case and easy to reload.

Seems that way to me, too, at least if dealing with 'modern' guns.

I am reloading soon but can attest to how much fun factory loads with lead bullets are. You can have a real nice round and not need to crank it up. I consider mine a 32 caliber souped up 22 Rimfire Mag.

Kind of like a .480 Ruger if what you were used to using is a .357 Mag. - no need for super-velocity when you have that much more meplat and that much more grainage going down range.

[jdad]

I use a 90gr Sierra JHC, on top of 9.5gr of 2400. It shoots flat out to 100m and has enough energy to knock down the 150m Turkeys. It won't do anything, but "ding" the 200m Rams though.

https://www.sierrabullets.com/index.cfm ... k_num=8030

[Sixgun]

5 or 5.5 grains of Unique under a 115 grain bullet, small pistol primer. If you buy a matching old revolver, 3 grains of Bullseye and the same bullet. This is per Sixgun and several others who have much experience with old 32-20s.

Thanks Tycer----I can't remember how many thousands of these loads that have gone down the barrels of Winchesters, Marlins, Remington pump guns, Colt rifles & handguns, and of course, old 'Smiths. ------Sixgun

[bubba15301]

anyone use a1680 powder?

[bubba15301]

loaded 13.4 grains a1680 and a 95 grain swc . will find out how they shoot Sunday.

[fordwannabe]

Going deer hunting in Pa with that setup by chance?? Several of us are on that other forum too!!

[bubba15301]

Going deer hunting in Pa with that setup by chance?? Several of us are on that other forum too!!

yes i am,cannot hunt small game with it

[bubba15301]

might try a case full of 4f blackpowderwith the 95 gr bullet

[bubba15301]

found some 120 grain bullets. will get them tommorow

[bubba15301]

loaded 8.6 grains of 2400 and the 120 ,grouped under 2 inches at 50 yds