Attn 32-20 PB shooters: my new CPA is here and I need load data

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  • Last Post 18 May 2015
Pentz posted this 20 March 2015

After 5 short months my CPA bench rifle is in my hands.  It is a 32-20 half-round #5 Shilen lapped and guaged barrel, bench fore end and sporter butt.  The scope is a Lyman STS 25x.  Yeah, the objective is faded; Gail found it for me at a show in PA and I am happy to have it.  Powders on hand are 4759, 4227, H110; still searching for 300MP and AA 4100.   Load data are hard to come by.  I understand top-end loads of AA9 lead to short case life; I'm not going to be using that unless I fall into some.  Can you PB shooters help a fella out? Mandatory pic...

Match Director

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JSH posted this 20 March 2015

Not a CPA, but have no idea where the short case life with aa9 came from. I have some for a BF falling block that have been shot with 155-200 cast and a large dose of aa9. They are all over 15 reloads, RP and starline brass. I never had any luck in accuracy department with 110/296.

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onondaga posted this 20 March 2015

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/view_user.php?id=7960>Pentz

The newest Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 4th Edition has plenty of loads for 32-20 on page173.   There is 18 loads in the book.

The Lyman book highlights the most accurate powder potentials:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/867465/lyman-cast-bullet-handbook-4th-edition-book>http://www.midwayusa.com/product/867465/lyman-cast-bullet-handbook-4th-edition-book

IMR 4198 for 100 gr cast bullet Alliant Reloader 7 for 90 gr cast bullet 2400 for 115 gr cast bullet.

I would start with the 115 gr. Lyman 311008 and 7.8-9.7 grains IMR4227 That you have and get that mold. Cast in #2 alloy, not sized and tumble lube 45:45:10.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/236603/lyman-2-cavity-bullet-mold-311008-32-20-wcf-312-diameter-115-grain-flat-nose>http://www.midwayusa.com/product/236603/lyman-2-cavity-bullet-mold-311008-32-20-wcf-312-diameter-115-grain-flat-nose

http://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=31>http://lsstuff.com/store/index.php?mainpage=productinfo&cPath=2&productsid=31

Consider BPI Original filler if your loads have airspace, the BPI acts as a quasi gas check for plain base bullets, protects bullet bases and enhances accuracy and ignition  with compressed 106%  loads and rifle powders.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/695248/bpi-shot-buffer-original-500cc-approximately-1-2-lb?cm_vc=ProductFinding>http://www.midwayusa.com/product/695248/bpi-shot-buffer-original-500cc-approximately-1-2-lb?cmvc=ProductFinding

https://www.google.com/search?sclient=psy-ab&safe=off&biw=1525&bih=734&btnG=Search&q=shutzen+buttplate&search_plus_one=form&oq=shutzen+buttplate&gs_l=hp.12..0i13j0i8i13i30l2.3413.3413.1.9320.1.1.0.0.0.0.148.148.0j1.1.0.msedr...0...1c.1.62.psy-ab..8.10.1483.PnKKghFtXVo&pbx=1>https://www.google.com/search?sclient=psy-ab&safe=off&biw=1525&bih=734&btnG=Search&q=shutzen+buttplate&searchplusone=form&oq=shutzen+buttplate&gsl=hp.12..0i13j0i8i13i30l2.3413.3413.1.9320.1.1.0.0.0.0.148.148.0j1.1.0.msedr...0...1c.1.62.psy-ab..8.10.1483.PnKKghFtXVo&pbx=1

If you want to top off the pain in the butt factor for accuracy, determine your needs and get a paper patch bullet mold from Accurate Molds and go that route. Accurate will give you about infinite leeway in designing a pp bullet specification to fit your rifle.

Gary

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Bud Hyett posted this 20 March 2015

The .32-20 CPA is 90% to 95% of the case capacity of the .32 Miller Short. You could take the loadings for the .32 Miller Short at 75% and work up from there. The .32-20 CPA loads in the Fouling Shot seem to be either Accurate Arms #9 or 4100.   An admonition here is to work up slowly, with these smaller cases a half-grain jump can increase pressure quickly. I was shooting 9.4 grains of Accurate Arms #9  and when I got to Kansas City for the Nationals, the cases were a little sticky now and then. The ambient temperature was another ten degrees and I think this was what pushed the pressure. I'm back to shooting 9.0 grains of Accurate Arms #9 with a 207 grain bullet.

My match cases are Starline, which are thicker in the neck wall than R-P or W-W and get sticky quicker than the other two brands. I originally worked up loads in R-P and W-W cases. I plan on soon having an afternoon neck annealing session with the Starline brass. I found that a .30 M1 Carbine sizing die will work the .32-20 CPA case down without resizing the neck area after eight or ten reloads. You have to experiment with the setting a little bit to touch only the body. 

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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Pentz posted this 21 March 2015

I should have been more specific; the bullet will be cast of 25:1 in the Hoch 322 spitzer supplied with the rifle. Cases are Starline altho I have some NOS Winchester cases as well. The admonition re AA9 comes from the chaps over on ASSRA forum; these guys are some serious shooters.

The rifle will be used for PB CBA matches at 100 and 200 yards. One shooter from Puyallup (Mitch M.) comes down regularly so I hope to get some advice from him.

I'll work with the 32 MS data, thanks BHyett. Trying to get ready for the next Clark Rifles match next month. We have our 200 yard line restored so come on down!

Match Director

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4060may posted this 21 March 2015

I have had good luck with WC680, and AA1680.. I have 2 32-20 Rifles and 2 30-20 rifles..the 32-20 with WC680 and a 120gr GC, fixed ammo in a levergun is 1600fps AA1680 is slower...some say it's the same powder, but the Chrono says different page from the Accurate Reloading manual

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45ACPete posted this 21 March 2015

Not a suggestion for a load but rather a question. Does a 32-20 barrel for a CPA have a .322 bore or rather the .314/.315 bore that is typical for a 32-20? I've thought of ordering another barrel for mine (in 32-20) and wondered if It would use the same bullet I'm shooting in my 32-40 barrel or something else.

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Bud Hyett posted this 22 March 2015

"Not a suggestion for a load but rather a question. Does a 32-20 barrel for a CPA have a .322 bore or rather the .314/.315 bore that is typical for a 32-20? - The cartridge is the .32-20 CPA. This designation is for the traditional .32-20 cartridge brass on a .321 bore. When breech-seating, this case and bullet  marriage can be easily accomplished since the bullet and the case never meet. The advantage is the lesser case capacity from the .32-40 case, 90 to 95% of the .32 Miller Short case size and you only have to expand the necks to seal behind the bullet.

I've thought of ordering another barrel for mine (in 32-20) and wondered if It would use the same bullet I'm shooting in my 32-40 barrel or something else.” - I run a .320 expander plug into the cases and go shooting. I am shooting breech-seated .321 bullets from 185 to 207 grains, trying to find the right load for each rifle. 

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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Pentz posted this 22 March 2015

45ACPete wrote: Not a suggestion for a load but rather a question. Does a 32-20 barrel for a CPA have a .322 bore or rather the .314/.315 bore that is typical for a 32-20? I've thought of ordering another barrel for mine (in 32-20) and wondered if It would use the same bullet I'm shooting in my 32-40 barrel or something else. My Shilen gauged and lapped bore is .3201

Match Director

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Pentz posted this 22 March 2015

BHyett wrote: "Not a suggestion for a load but rather a question. Does a 32-20 barrel for a CPA have a .322 bore or rather the .314/.315 bore that is typical for a 32-20? - The cartridge is the .32-20 CPA. This designation is for the traditional .32-20 cartridge brass on a .321 bore. When breech-seating, this case and bullet  marriage can be easily accomplished since the bullet and the case never meet. The advantage is the lesser case capacity from the .32-40 case, 90 to 95% of the .32 Miller Short case size and you only have to expand the necks to seal behind the bullet.

I've thought of ordering another barrel for mine (in 32-20) and wondered if It would use the same bullet I'm shooting in my 32-40 barrel or something else.” - I run a .320 expander plug into the cases and go shooting. I am shooting breech-seated .321 bullets from 185 to 207 grains, trying to find the right load for each rifle. 

You are way ahead of me.  I'm shooting the .322 Hoch spitzer mold Gail supplied with my rifle.  I did not expand any of my new Starline cases; they are being fire-formed as I begin to learn the eccentricities of this rifle.  For example, I've learned not to push the loaded case to firmly without easing the lever; the case wants to jump the extractor and the fun begins :(

Match Director

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billwnr posted this 22 March 2015

you didn't mention if you were breech seating the bullet or if it was loaded in the case. If it's in the case, then resizing/case life shouldn't enter into the equation.

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marvinsboy posted this 18 May 2015

I have a BSA Cadet Martini that was re-barreled to .32/20.I have been using 100 or 115 gr. cast bullets over 4-5 gr. Unique or 10-12 grains IMR 4198 for over 10 years. Any of those loads will do 2 inches over iron sights at 50 yards.It is also great fun for gong ringing at 100 or 200 yards at my local range. Gongs are 12” squares.

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