Plinking 32-20 and the Hornady #3140 123gr Spire Point (0.303-20)

[98s1lightning]

WARNING: The following information is for experienced reloaders only, understanding these cartridges can only be manually loaded into rifle chambers 1 at a time.
*These cannot be inserted into lever action magazines; pointed bullets CANNOT be used in this type of magazine! Also COAL is much longer than standard 32-20 and will jam your gun up*

Here's my little pet load for plinking in the yard. Thought some of you guys might be interested. I'm kind of proud of this little accomplishment and its just cool.

Purpose of this round is for as quiet as possible (22 subsonic type noise) but using the spire pointed bullet with significantly better BC opposed to standard lever action flat nosed bullets for use in tube mags. So I get some accuracy at 75-100yds. Maybe further but that's pushing it I think.

With this setup I can practice MUCH MORE OFTEN and not disturb the neighbors. I'm shooting a 8" steel plate at 75-100yds OFFHAND to practice my marksmanship and keep it in tune so, during hunting, I can have great confidence in my walking offhand shots.

After doing a plunk test, with bullets 0.010" off the lands; I'm cutting down my 32-20 brass to match the canelure groove on the Hornady #3140. This bullet also has a short engagement with the neck of the case so it doesn't take as much pressure to get the bullet going as a factory type.

I'm looking to get my hands on some Trailboss powder ASAP

 

[blue32]

Cutting down to what, 1.25"? What rifle?

 

[98s1lightning]

Brass to 1.175"
Browning 53

 

[25-20 WCF]

Depending on the twist rate of the OP’s barrel he may not be able to slow those long bullets down too far and maintain bullet stability/accuracy. Original M53s had a 1:16” twist I believe, the Brownings may have a 1:12” but sources vary. My .32-20 has a 1:10” twist and I can slow down the Speer 130 HP to just under 1000 fps before accuracy falls apart. I had best accuracy with W231, TrailBoss not required. He will have to test his to find out.

.

 

[FROGO207]

Cute little buggers they are. I do not currently own a 32-20 but that looks like something fun to try if I ever get one.

 

[MEHavey]

If you're using them as single-shot, why cut the brass short at all?
(You don't need a crimp with the kind of fast powders you'll use)

 

[98s1lightning]

As far as stability goes I think I'm good. I don't think I'd be making hits inside 8" at 80yds if they weren't stable. These bullets are "long" but they only have the surface area engagement with the rifling that say a 60gr bullet has. They are mostly all point and not much bore diameter.

As far as cutting brass the only (2) drawbacks I see are TIME and Flame further back in chamber.

Cutting the brass back makes the case so much stronger. So much, that I'm not even bellmouthing cases for this load. Just pressing bullet. A standard length brass would CERTAINLY fold up in this same process. So I do like how it improves the user friendlyness.

 

[SlowFuse]

You mention trying Trailboss, what powder did you develop these with?

 

[98s1lightning]

These are running Unique. Had it on hand, and from what I understand is "safer" at reduced loads then many powders.

 

[SlowFuse]

That it is, I've seen subsonic/gallery loads for some pretty large capacity rifle cases using Unique.

 

[blue32]

Wouldn't have thought a .310 bullet would offer much in accuracy. Interesting project and nice work!

 

[98s1lightning]

I can tell you that at this low of a charge, 0.2 grains makes or breaks the deal. I will not post where I'm at for charge weight. It's to unsafe for people to mess with that may not have understanding of problems that can arise.

I still want that trail boss though. No where with free shipping or free hazmat on small orders right now. Darnit!

 

[98s1lightning]

I'm still contemplating stepping up and buying the trailboss

 

[98s1lightning]

Should I bother trying 150gr bullets or are they going so slow the trajectory will be HORRIBLE the heavier I go...….

 

[SlowFuse]

I'm going to have to go back to what someone earlier mentioned here. 123 grains is negligent compared to the heavier side of standard loads for the 32-20, cast 120 grain loads are common. The only variable is the shape of the bullet. But getting into 150's is really going to depend on twist rate I believe.

Have you ever slugged the bore? I know Speer and Sierra both make 150 grain soft points for the 303 (.311 Hot-Core and Pro-Hunters) that may work. And I just checked Hornady, but theirs look like they measure .312 for the 150 interlocks, hence the slugging question.