32-20 Primer Question

RJS · Post by **RJS** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:20 pm

Gentlemen,
Is it ok too use small pistol/ small pistol magnum primers in the 32-20 ?
Thanks in advance,
Ron

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:29 pm

I use small pistol in mine, seems to work well.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:34 pm

I use small pistols in mine.

RJS · Post by **RJS** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:45 pm

Thanks , I thought I read that on the old forum, but wasn't sure.
Ron

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 6:39 pm

I have used small rifle primers but I get better reults with small pistol primers.

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:26 pm

+1 for small pistol primers, Winchester WSP's.

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 7:35 pm

I'v always used small rifle primers but maybe I need to try somethiung different.
I was prepping some 44/40 brass today & theyre made for large pistol. I expected large rifle but the pockets only .120 deep. Too shallow for large rifle primers.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:26 pm

Leverdude wrote:I'v always used small rifle primers but maybe I need to try somethiung different.
I was prepping some 44/40 brass today & theyre made for large pistol. I expected large rifle but the pockets only .120 deep. Too shallow for large rifle primers.

My Hornady reloading manual says small pistol for 32-20, but small rifle for 25-20.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:54 pm

Accurate Powder's website lists the .32-20 under obsolete calibers, and their data references the CCI 400 for the .32-20; Alliant or Lapua doesn't list the .32-20 at all, and Hodgdon's only lists it under pistol calibers and doesn't state what primer was used.

The only manual I have with me is Speer's Vol. 10, and it doesn't list the .32-20 either. Although it was developed as a rifle round, it has found good favor in pistols. I believe the pockets are deep enough for rifle primers.

Speer's Vol. 10 states in part: "American primers are made in two basic diameters: small rifle and pistol primers have a nominal diameter of .175"; large rifle and pistol primers are .210" in diameter. Within the respective diameters, rifle primers commonly have a greater overal height and contain more explosive mix than pistol primers. Also, because of the generally lighter firing pin blow of handguns, pistol primers cups are made of thinner material than used for rifle primers. Primer pockets in rifle and pistol cases are dimensioned for the appropriate primer. Except for rare instances, it is inadvisable to use pistol primers in rifle cases, or vice versa."

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:24 pm

I should have mentioned in my previous post that I reload for both the 32-20 and the 25-52. Since my Hornady reloading manual says to use the small pistol in the 32-20 and the small rifle 25-20, that is what I've been doing, and those primers seem to fit just perfect (i.e., they do not stick out too far, nor do they recess too deeply).

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Sat Feb 02, 2008 12:55 am

The manuals are all over the place on these calibres.
The small primers, rifle or pistol, are the same height. Its just the large rifle that are taller. I couldn't seat one under flush in any 44/40 case I have. Winchester, Remington or Hornady, Theyre all .120 deep.
The Hornadys are much thicker in the neck & are tight chambering. Easier to load tho. The others look like they'll squash easy.
Most of the starting loads look lethargic enough it probably doesn't matter much as long as you pay attention & start low.

Just came up from loading those cases with 200 grain lead bullets over 5.5 gr of red dot as per my Speer manual. The bullets are Speer Idaho territory cowboy bullets. My 357's like their 158's so I got some to try in the 44/40.

Kansas Ed · Post by **Kansas Ed** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:05 am

Ive always used small rifle in both the 25-20 and 32-20.

Ed

ben dover · Post by **ben dover** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 12:42 pm

It seems proper to match the primer to the powder used. Yes, the 32-20 will accept rifle primers. If you are loading revolver ammo and want light bullets and fast powder stay with small pistol. If you are loading for a rifle and have slower powder (2400, 4227, h-110) you could consider the mag primer or a small rifle primer. Loading for T/C Contenders using 165gr bullets and h4227 or reloader 7 can allow the Winchester primer marked for standard or magnum. Ben

blackhawk44 · Post by **blackhawk44** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:06 pm

In .32-20's, unless you are plinking with very loose accuracy standards, rifle and pistol loads do not interchange well. I have found rifles and pistols to prefer very different powders, usually 4756 in pistols and Unique, Blue Dot and 4759 (watch the numbers) in later rifles. Keeping loads segregated allows the proper primers in each type of load. Just my experience. Best of luck with your trials.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:38 pm

ben dover wrote:It seems proper to match the primer to the powder used. Yes, the 32-20 will accept rifle primers. If you are loading revolver ammo and want light bullets and fast powder stay with small pistol. If you are loading for a rifle and have slower powder (2400, 4227, h-110) you could consider the mag primer or a small rifle primer. Loading for T/C Contenders using 165gr bullets and h4227 or reloader 7 can allow the Winchester primer marked for standard or magnum. Ben

THAT'S how you do it--match the primer to the powder.--------Sixgun