32 H&R Magnum Reloading Die Question

[superbee922]

I am going to start reloading 32 H&R Magnum.

Could I use 32-20 dies to bell the case mouths and seat the bullets after sizing / de-capping with a 32 H&R sizing die?

I ask this because I noticed I could buy the 32 H&R sizing die alone (saving some money if I didn't have to purchase the complete die set), and I already own 32-20 dies.

 

[rcmodel]

I find it much simpler to buy the correct die set for the caliber in question.

Piecing together a cobbled up mis-matched set of dies will cost you more time and ruined cases in the long run then if you have to readjust them every time you switch back and forth.

So the answer is, yes, it might work.
But it certainly is false economy to think you are saving anything over just buying the right die set and adjusting them once.

Then putting them away until you need them again and they are still all in the same box.
And still adjusted perfectly just like you left them the last time you used them.

Save a few bucks once?
Or set them once and Fuggedaboutit from then on when you go to load either caliber again.

Besides that?
I am OCD enough, a mismatched set of dies just makes my teeth hurt when I open a die box and look at them in all their mismatched splendor.


rc

 

[superbee922]

Good points. I kind of hate to give up the idea of saving a few bucks, but you are probably correct.

 

[NWcityguy2]

You might encounter two problems. First you will still need to buy a shell plate, which are compatible with 223 Remington so good luck finding one of those right now outside of a 32 H&R/S&W related kit. Secondly 32 H&R brass is shorter than 32-20 brass and there might not (probably won't) be enough adjustment in the die to compensate for it.

 

[FROGO207]

I ended up buying the Lee carbide set for 32 short and also use it for 32 long, 32 H&R MAG, and 327 FED. Now that is economy, but I also think that using the 32-20 seating die may be too long to work crimping without modification for you. Tried them for 32ACP but I still needed the shell holder and taper crimp die so I bought that set as well. FWIW I have gone to the other extreme in that I have purchased several used steel die sets in 38 SPL/357 so I had many seating dies that I could set and ferget' for the multitude of bullets I load in that caliber for time savings. Sometimes things are not what they seem at first glance.

 

[Walkalong]

In the long run you will be glad you have the entire set, assuming you go that way. I cannot say I have not done similar shortcuts just to try something, but eventually bought the die set to save all the work.

I load .32 ACP, .32 Long, and .32 Mag, as well as .32-20, and have a die set for both, although I do share a sizer and micrometer seater for .32 Long and Mag. I do the same thing with .38 Spl and .357 Mag as well.

 

[JLDickmon]

shortcuts to save a buck usually end up costing you more in the long run..
just buy the die set..

 

[tbob38]

I suspect that the sizing die will be too small for a case with a bullet in it.

 

[superbee922]

I suspect that the sizing die will be too small for a case with a bullet in it.

I am not sure that I understand this. Why would anyone run a case with a bullet in it through a sizing die?