Winchester 1892 32 WCF

  • 2.4K Views
  • Last Post 12 August 2010
rollingblock posted this 08 June 2010

Just picked up a old Win 32 WCF, works fine mech. Just wanted to know if anyone is casting for this caliber that can share knowledge.  Also have a Marlin model 94 in same caliber.  I could use some reloading data also. Thanks Rollingblock

Attached Files

Order By: Standard | Newest | Votes
Ed Harris posted this 08 June 2010

Traditional bullet designs for .32-20 are Lyman #3118, Saeco #322 and NEI #82 plainbase. Cast bullets 10-12 BHN, size .312 for rifle, or .313-.314 for revolver, use 3.0 to 3.5 of Bullseye, 4.0 to 4.5 of Unique, 7.0-7.5 of #2400 or 8.0-9.0 of 4227. These approximate factory loads.

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

Attached Files

rollingblock posted this 08 June 2010

Thanks Ed, Rollingblock

Attached Files

Reg posted this 08 June 2010

Have both a 1892 Win and a small Martini both in the 32-20. The Martini does require special handling because of the oversize bore but both have given their best preformance with the Lyman 3118 with 8.5 gn. 2400. Have used this same load since 1962 in both rifles. In thousands and I do mean many thousands of rounds, have never had the smallest problem. My question to ED is----- I think this load to be safe but is it really with the newer mfgr. of 2400 ?? I have heard it has changed a bit.

Attached Files

Ed Harris posted this 09 June 2010

The Martini and Winchester 92 are more than amply strong. Key is that if the load doesn't lead and is accurate, then it is safe.

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

Attached Files

6pt-sika posted this 09 June 2010

In the variouse Marlin 1894's in 32-20 I owned I used the Lyman 311316 bullet which is a 115 grain GC bullet and pushed it with 5 grains of Unique . Used this in from an old 1906 vintage rifle up to the latest run of 1894CL's Marlin made .

 

I also used the Lyman 311419 which is a 90 grain gascheck bullet and again with 5 grains of Unique .

 

Both worked well enough for me to knock over the pistol cartridge rams at 100 meters !

Attached Files

Reg posted this 10 June 2010

Quick thank you to Ed Harris. Thought they were safe enough, have simply fired toooooo many rounds of them thru the years but thought it best to check since some of the older powders even though they have the same name, you can no longer use the same loads. Guess I am stuck in a time warp. Again, I thank you.

Attached Files

Reg posted this 10 June 2010

A quick thought to Rolling Block. Might be best to slug the bores on the Winchester and the Marlin. Some of the 92's were as big as .312 and I understand Marlin made some of their 94's with .308 barrels. As I found out bullet diameter plays a lot with accuracy. Same powder load should work and I highly reccomend that 8.5 of 2400.

Attached Files

Daryl S posted this 11 June 2010

Wasn't the .32 Winchester called and stamped on the M94 barrels, .32WCF?

Attached Files

Ed Harris posted this 11 June 2010

.32 WCF on the '92 means .32-20 .32 WIN on the '94 means .32 Winchester Special

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

Attached Files

Marine Sgt 2111 posted this 12 July 2010

My Marlin barrel, in it's two tight spots (just ahead of the chamber and under the front sight) measures .3122". Between those spots the lead slug travels freely. As a machinist, I would say perhaps .001” bigger thru there. I size to .314, drop 10.0grs of 2400 underneath and shot silly good groups.

Attached Files

JeffinNZ posted this 12 July 2010

Here is one I owned a while back:

Cheers from New Zealand

Attached Files

tjswallow posted this 13 July 2010

I picked up a first year 92 in 32 WCF not that long ago.  Bore not that great but have seen worse.  Worn rifling with some pitting.  My 1873 really liked the Bear Creek 115gr moly coated bullet with 3.8gr of W231.   This load worked for a bunch of my silhouette buddies as well.  3” groups at 50 yds with the 92 wasn't too impressive, figured with that bore might be all it would do.  Read somewhere about trying Accurate XMP 5744 and figured I'd give it a try.  9.0gr with the same Bear Creek bullet went into a 1 1/4” group with three in one ragged hole at 50 yds and was repeatable.  Have had good luck with the 118gr RCBS but like the moly coat in the rougher bores.

Attached Files

salvadore posted this 11 August 2010

I used the Lyman gaschecked 32/20 mold, looks like the 3118. using a Paco Kelly suggested load of 1680 and got ten shots into 2.1” with eight of them into 1.25". I believe the load produced around 25,000 cup. I don't know if this load is safe in Winchesters.

Attached Files

Tycer posted this 12 August 2010

I'm a chicken. Even though the design is strong as an ox I've not exceeded 1300 fps in my 1906 1892 32 WCF

I'd love to be able to zip them a little flatter. Maybe a lighter bullet...

8 grains of Lil'Gun has given me my best group so far. 1/2” @ 25, 3/4” @ 50, 4.5” @ 135.

The bore is .311” and pitted near the breech end and the bullet is the GC Lyman 115 grain sized .313"

I have not been able to get a Plain Base to shoot a minute of paper @25. Those were Magnus 115s sized .312"

Attached Files

Close