Reloading the 32-20 Winchester

Same- 25-20 and 32-20 both- never really had a problem-
I did shoot some really old loads that split but that's about what I would expect with old stuff-

I've loaded probably close to 1,000 rounds of 32-20 (cast -- which the greatest potential "threat")
I've had all of two case tossed because I didn't bell the mouth enough and caught the sharp edge of a plain-base bullet.

32-20 (both Remington and Starline cases) is no different from any other pistol cartridge to load/

When it comes to reloading the .32-20, I am a big fan of Lyman’s M expander die.

I’ve never had an issue damaging 32-20 cases while loading. I do load them on a single stage in part, I think, because there is not a shell pate for my progressives but I have slept a bit since I checked.

When I started loadng 22 Hornet 30 years ago I read many of the same concerns. I never had problems damaging those cases either. Maybe I just developed a softer touch that does not damage the cases with a noticable loss in production rates.

I never have a problem either. I use single stage presses, not progressives, so I can’t say much about the difference, or if there is any. I have also only ever used the Lee powder-through expansion die and factory crimping die so can’t say much about how other dies make any difference. I can say there’s a whole lot of reloading lore that doesn’t pan out for me.

Is the case mouth truly thinner than what you’d find on other cartridges?

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Yes -- to great advantage in sealing the chamber when fired.

I load 32-20 on a Dillon 550. A couple shell plates work. I think the 32 S&W is what I used last time. The 9mm might work also if you leave the plate a little loose to account for the rim. I made an expander/powder die with a slight step, similar to a M die.

I do have to be sure the expander doesn’t get hung up on the case edge or it will destroy the case. No different than any other case though.

I've loaded 6,700 32-20 on my Dillon 550, all cast. I've crushed maybe two on the powder through expansion die. Both my fault due to improper indexing.

cfullgraf said:

I do load them on a single stage in part, I think, because there is not a shell pate for my progressives but I have slept a bit since I checked.

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Walkalong said:

.32-20 eye candy. I use RCBS dies on my LNL, no issues.

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I had to check and sure enough, Hornady has a shell plate for 32-20 for the L-N-L progressive. I might have to give it a try.

My 32-20 eye candy.


I also have an 1890ish vintage Winchester 73 to go with the S&W.

My experience has been the 38-40 and 44-40 seem more prone to seating problems.

jski said:

Just checked: Redding, RCBS, Lyman, and Lee all make dies sets for the 32-20. As for commercial ammo, there seems to be quite a few choices for 32-20 Winchester.

So why did the guy in the wheelgun group tell all that he’s never seen a gun chambered for 32-20 used in a cowboy match?

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——
It’s a good bet lots of people never seen a alligator get eaten by a python. Doesn’t mean it never happened. That’s why anecdotal evidence is considered unreliable. That and, let’s face it, Heisenberg was right.

FWIW, I have always reloaded my Starline .32-20 cases on my LCT (Lee Classic Turret press) and have never found it necessary to slow down to avoid case-mouth-failure issues ... or any other .32-20-specific issues.

The only additional attention that they demand over straight-wall pistol case reloading is that, being bottleneck cases, they require lubrication prior to resizing.

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EDIT: edited to specify that I use Starline cases

Never any problem or issues. Don't remember ever crunching a case when reloading 32/20.
Lafitte

Is anybody else using the Lee FCD for .32-20? I like it a lot and have not had any problems with I have read it will crunch necks if not setup right.

GeoDudeFlorida said:

Is anybody else using the Lee FCD for .32-20? I like it a lot and have not had any problems with I have read it will crunch necks if not setup right.

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I also use a Lee FCD (light crimp) for the .32-20 & with excellent results. Though Redding are my dies of preference, when it comes the .32-20, I don’t know that there’s a better set-up (for me) than the Lyman-Lee combo.

A gratuitous shot of some recent reloads.

GeoDudeFlorida said:

Is anybody else using the Lee FCD for .32-20? ...

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<raising my hand>

I've loaded the .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40 but on a turret. You do have to be more mindful when loading the WCF's but as long as the bullet doesn't get cocked as you're seating it, it 'should' work fine on a progressive. That said, I've never done it and don't shoot enough of them to warrant loading them on one of my Dillons.