WST in the 32-20

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  • Last Post 05 January 2026
pat i posted this 04 January 2026

I've been playing around with my Model 92 in 32-20 lately and have 3 pounds of WST sitting here. I figured about 4 grains would be a good place to be but finding any data on it in this cartridge is nonexistant at least from I can find. I'm using a powder coated Saeco 322 at around 120 grains. Anyone have any data they'd be willing to share?

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Aaron posted this 04 January 2026

I can't find any WST listings for the 32-20 in all of my material including the RCBS Cast Bullet Handbook #1.

It does have a burn rate supposedly between True Blue and Trail Boss if that's any help.

 

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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Wilderness posted this 04 January 2026

Pat - I'd say you're on the money with 4 gns. I used 4.5 of Unique or AP70/Universal with 110 or 115 gn bullet. That was about 1250 fps from 22" barrel.

Above 4.5 gns was more accurate for a few shots but in my barrel produced some throat leading when 40 or 50 shots (one round of LAS) were fired.

I never had any luck, even for just a few shots, with the widely quoted load of 5.5 gns Unique.

WST replaced 452AA and WSF replaced 473AA. Think Red Dot and Unique for Ball Park.

If it was me I'd fire a couple of shots with the chronograph then try loading to 1250 or 1300 fps. Velocity change should be close to proportional to charge weight change. I tried the subsonic trick with .32-20 but groups opened up, I'm guessing because of the 20" twist. Hence suggesting loading to 1250 or 1300 fps.

Be aware of powder position sensitivity. Velocity in .32-20 can vary as much as 100 fps between powder shaken back on to the primer and powder anywhere else. I found powder forward to be the same as powder level, but powder back was the outlier. So maybe chronograph both positions and then be consistent with the shooting afterwards.

Incidentally, my best ever .32-20 load was 12 gns 2205/H4227 with #311116 gas check - 1660 fps from Winchester cases, more from Remington.

You are only as good as your library.

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RicinYakima posted this 04 January 2026

 Pat,

Don't know anything about coated bullets, but found this old data. My accuracy load is 3.2 grains of modern Bullseye or 5.8 grains of SR4756. 

 

32-20 Winchester                             115gr RNFPbb
PR: WSR     CM: Rem     TempF: 66    OAL: 1.595"

        PT        

 PW 

 Vel 

 SD 

 GS 

WST

3.0

972

11.3

2.3

 

3.5

1080

6.8

1.35

 

4.0

1163

12.0

1.27

 

4.5

1261

8.8

1.46

 

5.0

1349

4.9

2.4

 

 

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RicinYakima posted this 04 January 2026

Sorry, can't get the chart to post. 

Top number is grains

second is velocity

third is standard Deviation

forth is group size at 25 yards

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Wilderness posted this 04 January 2026

Ric

If the table is in a Word file you can highlight and drag to your Post (in Edit mode of course). I just did a trial run to test my memory - and it worked.

You are only as good as your library.

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Ed Harris posted this 05 January 2026

I load 4 grains of WST with 98-105 grain bullets in strong revolvers like post-1920 production heat treated S&W Hand Ejectors and Colt Army Special and OP for 900 fps. Reduce to 3.5 grains for use in pre-1920 S&W HE, and Colt Police Positive Special.

3.5 grains is full charge load with 115-120 grain bullet. Reduce to 3 grains in the older guns. Looking for 830-850 fps from a 4-inch revolver, ~1000fps from a rifle.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Ed Harris posted this 05 January 2026

Re-read your post and the 4-grain load would be just fine with a 120 grain bullet in your Winchester '92 or in stronger modern revolvers like the Rugers, Uberti and Piettas.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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pat i posted this 05 January 2026

Thanks for the replies. I'll load about 20 up with 4 grains and see how they shoot and what velocity I get. As was mentioned being in the 12-1300 fps range is my goal.

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