Author Topic: A fun gun......Handi 32-20 (Read 1871 times)

petemi · « **on:** June 13, 2011, 02:41:58 AM »

I bought the barrel from a member here. I believe it is a Trotter Special. I didn't have the SB1 frame I thought I had. It turned out to be a SB2, so it jumped on the SB2 afterall. (again the advantage of keeping a few frames around.) I stocked it with BC carbine wood, and the barrel is getting cut to 17" I put a red dot on it temporarily. A compact 4x32 should be here in a couple of days. The only thing I don't like about it is it is an ejector. It breaks a little stiffly, so I need both hands to open it and I lack the third to catch the case. I alread lost 3 brass in long grass.

I started out with 100 gr. lead bullet over TiteGroup to sight in with. (cause I had it). I'm amazed how little powder it takes. It seems like a jug would last half a lifetime! The real fun starts when you shoot it. It is almost a pop rather than a bang, sorta like a .22 or .22 Mag., no recoil, and I believe I can reload them for a small fraction of the cost of .22 mags.

In all, I'm very pleased with my new toy gun. When the new scope gets here, I'll put it on paper and see how she does. I'll do a range report when all the mods are done.

Pete

bikerbeans · « **Reply #1 on:** June 13, 2011, 02:57:50 AM »

Pete,

Sounds like you got another favorite Handi. You powder choice looks fine, Hodgdon has a number of loads on their website for Titegroup and the 32-20. Hodgdon's loads are all for pistols they don't list rifle loadings for the 32-20. Using Hodgdon's max. load for a 100 grain bullet and you will get 2,000 shots per pound of powder. Now if you just mow your grass so you don't loose the brass you will have a very inexpensive gun to shoot.

BB

cwlongshot · « **Reply #2 on:** June 13, 2011, 03:09:32 AM »

Pete,
I may have told you already, but I had a couple cans of PB powder. 8oz cans cause it's a bulky powder and used to be cheap. ( i haven't bought it in twenty years so not sure of $$ now) but with a tiny LEE powder scoop and a cast 115 gr SWC it is so mild hearing protection is optional, recoil... First shots you will check the barrel for lodged bullets!! And very good accuracy. I bought a thousand Molly Coated " cowboy" bullets back when momma shot the 32/20s in comp.( cheap cause no one bought them) It was her all time favorite loading. I have shot a few critters with it too. Excellent on squirrels, rabbits and coons. Thru and thru zero blood shot meat and quick kills.

If you where to cast your own, you could shoot for generations on very little $$.

I knew you would love it, have fun my friend!!

CW

jlchucker · « **Reply #3 on:** June 13, 2011, 03:58:39 AM »

Quote from: bikerbeans on June 13, 2011, 02:57:50 AM

Pete,

Sounds like you got another favorite Handi. You powder choice looks fine, Hodgdon has a number of loads on their website for Titegroup and the 32-20. Hodgdon's loads are all for pistols they don't list rifle loadings for the 32-20. Using Hodgdon's max. load for a 100 grain bullet and you will get 2,000 shots per pound of powder. Now if you just mow your grass so you don't loose the brass you will have a very inexpensive gun to shoot.

BB

Especially if you cast your own bullets.

Rodland · « **Reply #4 on:** June 13, 2011, 08:51:08 AM »

Well thanks for that fine report Pete. I am setting here waiting for the UPS truck to bring my 357 accessory barrel and you tell me how great the 32-20 is. Looks like I will be in the market for one of those soon.

In a whispering voice, my wife is going to kill me one of these days.

petemi · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2011, 09:26:26 AM »

Quote from: Rodland on June 13, 2011, 08:51:08 AM

In a whispering voice, my wife is going to kill me one of these days.

Being a Handiholic, ya gotta have at least nine lives. I think she's gotten about three of mine. I'm going to get at least one or two back by getting her her own .357. That's a win, win, cause I'll get to use my Maxi once in a while.

Seriously, I'm tired of cutting grass today so I'm going down to load a bunch of .32-20s. I found a RL7, 100 gr. bullet load the runs 1600+ fps. Gonna try a few. Here we go, hot rodding already

Oh Tom, I mowed over the missing brass, but never found them.

Pete

bikerbeans · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2011, 10:37:59 AM »

Quote from: petemi on June 13, 2011, 09:26:26 AM

Quote from: Rodland on June 13, 2011, 08:51:08 AM

In a whispering voice, my wife is going to kill me one of these days.

Being a Handiholic, ya gotta have at least nine lives. I think she's gotten about three of mine. I'm going to get at least one or two back by getting her her own .357. That's a win, win, cause I'll get to use my Maxi once in a while.

Seriously, I'm tired of cutting grass today so I'm going down to load a bunch of .32-20s. I found a RL7, 100 gr. bullet load the runs 1600+ fps. Gonna try a few. Here we go, hot rodding already

Oh Tom, I mowed over the missing brass, but never found them.

Pete

Pete,

You are the only fellow I know that trims his brass with a John Deere.

BB

manatee1947 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2011, 11:34:47 AM »

You might want to try the 85 gr Hornady HP's and 7 gr of Blue Dot. The 115 Lyman gc and 10 gr 2400 works well also. There was an article in the American Rifleman circa '84-86, a man named Harris was instrumental in getting the TC chambered for the 32/20 and did extensive loading with it, I will have to find my copy amd pm you the loads.

ironglow · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2011, 11:47:12 AM »

How about while you are loading, you try a couple 115 gr loaded to about 800 or 850 fps...and see if it produces a fairly quiet, close to neighbors, woodchuck gun ?

CORRECTION: Guess you already answered my question..but I was not observant enought to catch it..sorry..

Thanks for the info though..

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2011, 07:01:09 PM »

Pete,

You are the only fellow I know that trims his brass with a John Deere.

BB
[/quote] LOL, I can see this Pete, I really can.

DP

gcrank1 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 14, 2011, 05:44:46 AM »

Pete, that 'bag thing' on the side of the mower is a 'grass' catcher, not 'brass' catcher.........
Just do the ejector mod, you will be so glad you did.

Spanky · « **Reply #11 on:** June 14, 2011, 06:58:19 AM »

I use a 100gr. XTP over 15.4gr. of H110 for my 32-20 varmint loads. According to the book that is over 2200 fps. out of the rifle. I shot a young woodchuck at about 50 feet with that load about 2 weeks ago and it flat blew him apart.
I've got synthetic stocks on my Trotter special and a 4x scope and it weighs about 5 pounds ready to go. I wouldn't part with it.

Spanky

petemi · « **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2011, 08:35:17 AM »

Thanks Spanky,

The Speer manual lists a 100 gr HP over 13.0 gr. 296 at 1881 and 13.0 H110 at 1858. Hodgdon didn't have much I could use, and neither did Lee. Lyman had a few decent loads. I could see where 15.4 gr. of H110 would be quite a boost. Where did you find that load? I'm thinking it would be a nice fox/coyote load at modest ranges. I'm gonna like that little .32 with a velocity range of 800 fps to 2 grand plus.

Pete

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2011, 11:03:24 AM »

Pete,

I'm going to echo CW on the IMR PB suggestion. I use that powder for 38 special and 16 gauge. My 38 loads are nice and mild and shoot 1 ragged hole at 7 yards out of my Ruger LCR snubnose.

You've got me thinking about having a custom .32 H&R Magnum barrel done to match the NEF R73 I just picked up.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #14 on:** June 14, 2011, 12:01:24 PM »

Pete,
John Taffin used to have articles on a different caliber and listed loadings form mouse to mastodon depending on caliber.
IIRC the one containing 32-20 data, came out about the time the 1894CL came out in 32-20. If I can get it scanned into a digital file I'll post it for reference... I also have accumulated other data thru the years.
It may take me until the weekend as its a busy week and when I finally get home...its the wee hours and I'm tired...

Paco Kelly also may have good data...

CW

petemi · « **Reply #15 on:** June 15, 2011, 01:27:32 AM »

I'm shooting .313 dia. cast bullets, not gas checked, and I don't really want to push them because of leading, but I am ordering XTPs or another jacketed bullet.

Pete

cwlongshot · « **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2011, 03:03:24 AM »

I can inagion the twist required to stabilize such a 300+ gr 32 cal bullet!!! LOL

Are you casting them Pete? What's the profile and who's mold?

If you cast them a bit harder say wheelweights + a bit of tin or 20% Lino type you won't need to worry about leading.

I have fired some hard ones from the Marlin at close to 2500fps no issues. I prefer light loads or 60 gr acp bullets at 2000 for real red mist shots.

CW

gunther66 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 15, 2011, 04:06:41 AM »

Pete
Earlier in this thread you were lamenting about losing brass in the grass. Try using a common garden rake turned upside down and move it back and forth where you think is brass is.When you hear a metalic clink you have found it. G66

gcrank1 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 15, 2011, 04:46:31 AM »

A basic WWt alloy bullet, maybe a smidge of tin (no more than 5% required), even in a plain base will be fine, if you need it harder drop them out of the mould onto a towel with a small hole in the 'middle' drapped across a bucket of water. The water quench will harden them up plenty.
I havent had leading issues with the unquenched WWt bullets, even up around 1450fps, since I went to filling the chamber throat with with bullet diameter. If you use a bullet at the jacketed dia. for the caliber it will often lead; gas cutting occurs on the bullet base band and up the rifling as it travels downbore, just like a cutting torch. Aint good for lead bullets.

petemi · « **Reply #19 on:** June 15, 2011, 04:56:20 AM »

Quote from: gunther66 on June 15, 2011, 04:06:41 AM

Pete
Earlier in this thread you were lamenting about losing brass in the grass. Try using a common garden rake turned upside down and move it back and forth where you think is brass is.When you hear a metalic clink you have found it. G66

Gunther, thanks for the tip. I'll try it.

CW I was wondering why the bullet tip was sticking out the muzzle. I fixed it.

Guys, no, I'm not casting.....yet.

Pete

blind ear · « **Reply #20 on:** June 15, 2011, 05:15:15 AM »

Now you guys got to quit this mess, I had about got over the killin urge to get a 32/20 or a 32 H&R mag and now you are causeing me to relapse. Dad gum it I bout got to get one or the other. Didn't I see somethin about a 32/20 or a 32 mag insert for a 2o ga somewhere round here? Dog gone it , just can't get no pease roung this place. Dang it! dang it! dang it!
Humph, ear

tobster · « **Reply #21 on:** June 15, 2011, 05:28:42 AM »

AA1680 or Li'l Gun will wake up the 32-20.

gcrank1 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 15, 2011, 06:04:12 AM »

Now 'Ear, its OK, really it is.......
'We' dont 'have to' have them all!
But have you considered the fine little (and ballistically superior) 25 caliber class?
(just dont want you a'lustin' after only one.......

)

Spanky · « **Reply #23 on:** June 15, 2011, 07:03:01 AM »

Quote from: petemi on June 14, 2011, 08:35:17 AM

Thanks Spanky,

The Speer manual lists a 100 gr HP over 13.0 gr. 296 at 1881 and 13.0 H110 at 1858. Hodgdon didn't have much I could use, and neither did Lee. Lyman had a few decent loads. I could see where 15.4 gr. of H110 would be quite a boost. Where did you find that load? I'm thinking it would be a nice fox/coyote load at modest ranges. I'm gonna like that little .32 with a velocity range of 800 fps to 2 grand plus.

Pete

Pete,

I got the load from the Hornady 7th edition on page 536.

Spanky

revolvergeek · « **Reply #24 on:** June 15, 2011, 07:12:07 AM »

Y'all are killing me with all this! I just found a .30-30 Handi yesterday for $159 used, and where I can order a .30-30 to .32 Long / Mag chamber adapter, so I am going to try to piece that together and see how it shoots for a quick, cheap fix.

petemi · « **Reply #25 on:** June 15, 2011, 07:58:32 AM »

Spanky, thanks for the reference. I have 100 gr. XTPs on order.

Pete

cwlongshot · « **Reply #26 on:** June 20, 2011, 03:05:25 AM »

Mornin' Pete n guys,

I located two good articles with data for the grand ol'32/20. Last night looking thru a newer Rifle mag found another written last year. I will have one of the girls here scan it to a file so i can send to you.
Hopefull by end of the week.

CW

petemi · « **Reply #27 on:** June 20, 2011, 02:21:33 PM »

Thanks CW. It sounds like a good read.

Pete

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #28 on:** June 20, 2011, 05:34:16 PM »

32-20 sounds like it would be a real hoot. In a Handi, it would do anything a 327 Federal would do, maybe more. DP

mechanic · « **Reply #29 on:** June 20, 2011, 06:21:34 PM »

Dear Pete,

I thought you was an alright guy after reading your posts so long. Here I was thinking I had everything covered with my caliber selections in my Handi's. Now you start with this 32-20. I'm telling myself I don't need such a critter. But it could be loaded for pennies. I really don't have anything to hunt with it. But I really like to punch paper. I've got every situation covered now from ground squirrel to rhino. But I don't have a custom caliber.

You're just an enabler.

Hope you enjoy your new toy.

Ben