32-20 wcf wild cat question

[bobcat93]

Any one neck down the 32-20 wcf case to .20 cal yet..?
If so whats it called and how does it perform compared to the .20 var-targ..
I dont think its possible to beat the performance of the .221 fireball case..but im just curious
How does the 32-20 neck down to .20 cal and fire formed case capacity compared to the .20 var-targ...any one...?

Thanks..
For the longest time I thought the .218 bee was it..but the 218 is a 22cal..if im correct

 

[GLShooter]

You are correct the 218 was designed off the 32-20 via the 25-20 that was a derivative of the 32. It was/is a 22.

For giggles you might consider the 5.7 Johnson necked to 20 that comes out of the 30 Carbine that comes out of the 32 Special.

Greg

 

[JSH]

A rimmed case you might look at the 327. The 357 maximum is another. I have necked 357 magnum and 357 maximum down to 20 and 17. It is a chore to say the least.

 

[bobcat93]

You are correct the 218 was designed off the 32-20 via the 25-20 that was a derivative of the 32. It was/is a 22.

For giggles you might consider the 5.7 Johnson necked to 20 that comes out of the 30 Carbine that comes out of the 32 Special.

Greg

Wow!!! The 5.7 johnson..22 spitfire..cool looking little cartridge..
I have alot of new 32-20 brass and forming dies for 25-20.
I've been secretly hoarding the components..and I thought why not make something cool

 

[Tommie]

Yes it’s been done. Comparable when blown-out (AKA: Ackley Improved) but a little less capacity than the fireball case. Look up the 20 Killer Bee.
But I’m answering the OP’s question. Kinda thought an on-topic reply would be refreshing.

 

[SmokinJoe]

The 5.7 Johnson/22 Spitfire is a great little round and very easy to make, just lightly anneal Carbine brass and run it through a Spitfire FLS, then re-anneal before firing. The rim diameter is only a few thousandths bigger than a Hornet so a good replacement for that if you get tired of Hornet brass issues. Best brass I have found is Starline but it makes a thicker neck than most and may need to be turned unless reamer is made for it. Easy to get 3350fps with 40gr bullets and accuracy is good, too.

 

[bobcat93]

A rimmed case you might look at the 327. The 357 maximum is another. I have necked 357 magnum and 357 maximum down to 20 and 17. It is a chore to say the least.

Hello..JSH!!.. I've been chomping over your comment for days ..I completely understand what you mean now.....
At first I thought is was a trick suggestion..then I thought..what about a ruger 44mag ranch rifle neck to .25 cal...then all the puzzle pieces fell into place..but there are quite a few rifles chambered in straight cases
I can now everything im looking for has been done by our predecessors..like a old fashioned hot rod 25-20...the new thoughts of this could keep me occupied for some time...

Wild cat load question ...

Lets say some one forms a cartridge at there bench..and loads up some dummies ..can they be mailed out to say PTG for a reamer to match..

And as for load data...would you just measure case capacity and have some one with that computer program tell you some starting loads ..
I forget the programs name..its realy cool..
Some load calculator

Thank you for your thoughts
Oh...I almost forgot ..this is what lead me back to your comment...check this out..

A Magnum Only by Heritage - Shooting Times

A close look at this fun little round reveals that some “magnum” cartridges aren't really magnums at all.

www.shootingtimes.com

 

[bobcat93]

The .256 win mag...that looks like it would smack the hell out of a raccoon...hahahaha

 

[Ggmac]

32-20 is a low pressure cartridge and most guns made for it are also . It’s better to start with a better case design, the 256 win or the 327

 

[drewh]

Since it was mentioned, will toss some gas on the fire here is a .327 version, got the reamer by accident when trying to get a 20 based on 30 carbine ( my version of a 20/30 Carbine is on order)
Drew

 

[JSH]

32-20 is a low pressure cartridge and most guns made for it are also . It’s better to start with a better case design, the 256 win or the 327

The 45 Colt and 45-70 were similar as well, low pressure wise.
I have a very cherished Ruger Buckeye in 32-20. A custom mold of 140-147 grain CB, can be driven to true magnum speeds1350-1400 is not out of line. Weak cases, I have RP cases retired to light duty only because of primer pockets. Starline shows to be a good move. The key to case life on the design, size brass to chamber size not to what is necessarily sold as a proper die, I went through numerous sets to get what I wanted.
The 327 is what the 32 mag should have been to begin with. The 327 wishes it could be what the 32-20 is with modern type loads.
The 327 is another that would be a fine wildcat.
I have lost track of the article, but Steve Herrett necked 44 mag down to 17 or 22 (forget which) on a bet many years ago. As I recall performance was good, case life was poor from working the brass so much.
I know of a couple of TC barrels chambered in 221 Fireball rimmed. Always thought that would be a neat one in a lever gun.

A lot of folks seem to think this ammo crunch is something new and a first……………..one of the ones prior to this,( yes there were others not just one either) 22RF was tough to come by. I believe it was John Barsness or Brian Pierce thought a straight walled 25 caliber center fire would be a dandy way to get around the rimfire ammo problem in the future. I think of that cartridge fairly often.

 

[Cbashooter]

The 45 Colt and 45-70 were similar as well, low pressure wise.
I have a very cherished Ruger Buckeye in 32-20. A custom mold of 140-147 grain CB, can be driven to true magnum speeds1350-1400 is not out of line. Weak cases, I have RP cases retired to light duty only because of primer pockets. Starline shows to be a good move. The key to case life on the design, size brass to chamber size not to what is necessarily sold as a proper die, I went through numerous sets to get what I wanted.
The 327 is what the 32 mag should have been to begin with. The 327 wishes it could be what the 32-20 is with modern type loads.
The 327 is another that would be a fine wildcat.
I have lost track of the article, but Steve Herrett necked 44 mag down to 17 or 22 (forget which) on a bet many years ago. As I recall performance was good, case life was poor from working the brass so much.
I know of a couple of TC barrels chambered in 221 Fireball rimmed. Always thought that would be a neat one in a lever gun.

A lot of folks seem to think this ammo crunch is something new and a first……………..one of the ones prior to this,( yes there were others not just one either) 22RF was tough to come by. I believe it was John Barsness or Brian Pierce thought a straight walled 25 caliber center fire would be a dandy way to get around the rimfire ammo problem in the future. I think of that cartridge fairly often.

"thought a straight walled 25 caliber center fire would be a dandy way to get around the rimfire ammo problem in the future. I think of that cartridge fairly often."

25 Hornet is the answer.Glen Fryxell made up a pistol and a couple buddies of mine have rifles.
I have a pair of 25-20 single shot rifles.(the original 25-20)

 

[chuckshooter]

I make .20 killer bee out of starline 32-20 and get Phenomenal Results

 

[Ggmac]

The 45 Colt and 45-70 were similar as well, low pressure wise.
I have a very cherished Ruger Buckeye in 32-20. A custom mold of 140-147 grain CB, can be driven to true magnum speeds1350-1400 is not out of line. Weak cases, I have RP cases retired to light duty only because of primer pockets. Starline shows to be a good move. The key to case life on the design, size brass to chamber size not to what is necessarily sold as a proper die, I went through numerous sets to get what I wanted.
The 327 is what the 32 mag should have been to begin with. The 327 wishes it could be what the 32-20 is with modern type loads.
The 327 is another that would be a fine wildcat.
I have lost track of the article, but Steve Herrett necked 44 mag down to 17 or 22 (forget which) on a bet many years ago. As I recall performance was good, case life was poor from working the brass so much.
I know of a couple of TC barrels chambered in 221 Fireball rimmed. Always thought that would be a neat one in a lever gun.

A lot of folks seem to think this ammo crunch is something new and a first……………..one of the ones prior to this,( yes there were others not just one either) 22RF was tough to come by. I believe it was John Barsness or Brian Pierce thought a straight walled 25 caliber center fire would be a dandy way to get around the rimfire ammo problem in the future. I think of that cartridge fairly often.

Okay

 

[JSH]

"thought a straight walled 25 caliber center fire would be a dandy way to get around the rimfire ammo problem in the future. I think of that cartridge fairly often."

25 Hornet is the answer.Glen Fryxell made up a pistol and a couple buddies of mine have rifles.
I have a pair of 25-20 single shot rifles.(the original 25-20)

270 REN straightens it out a bit more. With the SPC bullets I considered tinkering with one a few years ago. The Squirrel and Mink cartridges are also neat.

 

[Cbashooter]

270 REN straightens it out a bit more. With the SPC bullets I considered tinkering with one a few years ago. The Squirrel and Mink cartridges are also neat.

True but lack of proper shorter cast bullets and barrels of slower twist for the shorter bullets are what turned me off of it.
The 27 caliber nail driver blank is just about exact diameter of the Stevens
.25 rimfire.it shure would be easy for the manufacturer's to reintroduce a modern version.

 

[chuckshooter]

Any one neck down the 32-20 wcf case to .20 cal yet..?
If so whats it called and how does it perform compared to the .20 var-targ..
I dont think its possible to beat the performance of the .221 fireball case..but im just curious
How does the 32-20 neck down to .20 cal and fire formed case capacity compared to the .20 var-targ...any one...?

Thanks..
For the longest time I thought the .218 bee was it..but the 218 is a 22cal..if im correct

as far as comparing cases, my .20 killer bee loads are 16.4g, 16.5g and 16.9g of 1680, 32gr vmax, the 6 vartarg's that I own are between 19.7g and 20.3 of 2200, 32 vmax. average speed killer bee 3600fps, vartarg 3800fps. I just finished up two squirrel shooting trips totaling 9 days and never once did i say, I wish this killer bee had more power. it has enough to compete very close to the vartarg. of course I get a little more aerobatic action,( squirrel flipping), with the vartarg. now when I shoot the murder hornet (20 ackley hornet) I do notice a significant difference in horsepower. I used to load the vartarg up to 20.8 and get close to 4000fps, but now in the low 20's for most of them. I like both the killer bee and the vartarg, but if you told me I could have only one, it would be the vartarg.

 

[longbow]

17 Saunders Jet. Made with 22 Jet cases necked down blown out. Bombproof...anything using 357 brass will last forever.

 

[chuckshooter]

17 Saunders Jet. Made with 22 Jet cases necked down blown out. Bombproof...anything using 357 brass will last forever.

that's kind of like my rimmed vartarg, except I start with a 360dw case, gives me a longer finished case.

 

[bobcat93]

I have love for the .327 federal..in my opinion its a waaaaaay under rated cartridge ..many times I've been shooting steel with .357 and switch to .327..thats when I noticed how cool of a cartridge it is..just playing at the range..
I get all worked up and excited when I read all these post..and start mentally running off on some project that will eventually cost 1000$...when most of the best cartridge have already been standardized..
I also thought of a ruger 77- 44 or 77-357 reworked for 327 fed...for the life of me a can't understand why ruger who developed the cartridge doesn't offer it in a #1 sporter..327 fed..
That would be a hot one..
Think of how fun that would be..sitting there shooting 32sw, 32swL, 32h&r, 327 fed out of the same rifle..im not sure if you could push a 32 s&w through a rifle barrel...hahaha..
But ruger..please...pretty please..
RUGER #1 sporter .327 fed mag with the thingy on the barrel like the african..haha swivel band..
No plastic..the Ruger way..or a riger 77-327 wood stock