32-20 loads?

[SPRINT-GTO]

Thanks to all who have responded given me some good ideas to think about.
As has been said it may be the shot to get a sight blade with a 3/8 base & file it down to suit.
My rifle does not have the screw on base of front sight ,

[bladeracer]

Thanks to all who have responded given me some good ideas to think about.
As has been said it may be the shot to get a sight blade with a 3/8 base & file it down to suit.
My rifle does not have the screw on base of front sight ,

I don't think he means it's screwed on, it fits into the dovetail but has a set screw to keep in place.
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-manufacturer/winchester/rifles-win/1892-2

[LawrenceA]

Bladeracer is correct again.
It is a little grub screw probably 2mm in diameter in the base of the dovetail sight. The 92 sight is webbed s it transitions from the horizontal to the vertical and this screw goes into the web and probably exits at about centre of the base. It looks like loosening the screw would allow the front sight to just slide out.
It would be an imperial thread but I don't know what gauge.

[LawrenceA]

Overall height is about 8.5mm and it sits about 7.2mm above the barrel.
This is on a Oct barrel 92 in 32-20.

[SPRINT-GTO]

Thanks fellas ,I was completely in the dark re the little screw I thought the dovetail might just have been a tight fit!!
I now realise I will have to look for the screw & the sight blade. Thanks again & appreciate those measurements Lawrence..
.

[LawrenceA]

Thanks fellas ,I was completely in the dark re the little screw I thought the dovetail might just have been a tight fit!!
I now realise I will have to look for the screw & the sight blade. Thanks again & appreciate those measurements Lawrence..
.

Hey mate
I did a little research myself.
Not all 92's have the screw but I don't know why. It may be a an octagonal versus round barrel thing as I know the 04 and 06 can have the little screw as well.
Any 3/8" sight will do the job but lets face it the correct one would make it easier.

[Gamerancher]

Consensus is that after 1910 the front sight with the screw was standard, ( #21 sporting ), prior to that there was a mix of sights with and without it.
There is much conjecture amongst collectors about the reasons why, but suffice to say that there are plenty of rifles made pre 1900 that have the sight with the screw.
My personal thoughts on the need for the screw would have been to prevent sights moving in the dovetail when carried on horseback in a scabbard.
( A possible reason also for why a lot of older rifles have cracked stocks at the wrist )

[LawrenceA]

Consensus is that after 1910 the front sight with the screw was standard, ( #21 sporting ), prior to that there was a mix of sights with and without it.
There is much conjecture amongst collectors about the reasons why, but suffice to say that there are plenty of rifles made pre 1900 that have the sight with the screw.
My personal thoughts on the need for the screw would have been to prevent sights moving in the dovetail when carried on horseback in a scabbard.
( A possible reason also for why a lot of older rifles have cracked stocks at the wrist )

Personally think it would have more to do with ease of manufacture.
While it would be easier to make without a screw the screw would allow for a wider tolerance in both blade and slot.
But who ever knew is long gone.

[SPRINT-GTO]

Thanks fellas the good info is appreciated.

[Tim336]

Boingk
Great thread just bought my 1892 in 32-20 and started a thread on another forum, wish I'd found this first. So I too am looking at the 85grn Hornady bullet. What was the final out come with the hunting trial and what distance are you out to with confidance, I'm looking for 150m on goats down.

[Maxjon]

I have a 310 BSA Martini I'm thinking of rebarrelling, NOT rechambering to 32-20. I have collected dies, about 500 Starline cases, and a CBE .314-115 triple cavity mold. I've looked at a few 1892s online, but not in the flesh as yet..... but I think I will stick with the Martini project, I'm chasing the best accuracy possible from this great old cartridge. I also love Martini cadets!

[Maxjon]

I have a Savage Sporter model 23....Thinking of trying some 85 and 100gn Hornady XTPs in it with 2207.
I tried some home cast in it, but they leaded the pristine barrel. Unfortunately, the barrel seems to have a rather sharp lead in it, so I don't think it's going to be cast bullet friendly.
Anyone shooting the old sporter in 32-20?

[bigrich]

I have a Savage Sporter model 23....Thinking of trying some 85 and 100gn Hornady XTPs in it with 2207.
I tried some home cast in it, but they leaded the pristine barrel. Unfortunately, the barrel seems to have a rather sharp lead in it, so I don't think it's going to be cast bullet friendly.
Anyone shooting the old sporter in 32-20?

hey mate , old topic and post , but i'm looking at a savage 23c for a lead shooting comp at my local range and thought one of these savages would be a good alternative to a 92 winnie . bolt gun would be a damn sight easier to clean too . commercial hard cast coated bullets work any better in your savage ?

so my question to 32-20 owners is what is the best adi powder for lead loads ? i've been lead to believe 2207 will work , but isn't optimum . if i go ahead with buying a 32-20 i'm prepared to pre order powder from my local GS . ADI has changed their powders recently with APS650 , APS950 being new powders replacing old ones . i know i could just email ADI , but i thought i would ask on here first . i do know where i can get trail boss too . any advice or suggestions would be appreciated

[Maxjon]

I have a Savage Sporter model 23....Thinking of trying some 85 and 100gn Hornady XTPs in it with 2207.
I tried some home cast in it, but they leaded the pristine barrel. Unfortunately, the barrel seems to have a rather sharp lead in it, so I don't think it's going to be cast bullet friendly.
Anyone shooting the old sporter in 32-20?

hey mate , old topic and post , but i'm looking at a savage 23c for a lead shooting comp at my local range and thought one of these savages would be a good alternative to a 92 winnie . bolt gun would be a damn sight easier to clean too . commercial hard cast coated bullets work any better in your savage ?

so my question to 32-20 owners is what is the best adi powder for lead loads ? i've been lead to believe 2207 will work , but isn't optimum . if i go ahead with buying a 32-20 i'm prepared to pre order powder from my local GS . ADI has changed their powders recently with APS650 , APS950 being new powders replacing old ones . i know i could just email ADI , but i thought i would ask on here first . i do know where i can get trail boss too . any advice or suggestions would be appreciated

Hi Big Rich...
I have not tried any hard cast only my home cast, which may have been on the soft side...I did load and shoot some Hornady 100gn XTP on the wknd, they shot very well, a little over an inch at 50m with fuzzy looking open sights, so there is potential there to mount a scope, which will shrink that group I'm sure.
Both my home cast and XTP loads were loaded with 6gns of AP70N. (or now APS650) Great fun little rifle, and everyone else who shot it, said the same.
My rifle has a pristine bore but seems to not have much of a tapered lead, which cast bullets really need for best accuracy. I'm going to stay with the XTPs for now until I get a scope mounted that looks kind of period correct. Once I get a scope zeroed in I will try cast bullets again with a known hardness. The M23 is a good little rifle!

[bigrich]

I have a Savage Sporter model 23....Thinking of trying some 85 and 100gn Hornady XTPs in it with 2207.
I tried some home cast in it, but they leaded the pristine barrel. Unfortunately, the barrel seems to have a rather sharp lead in it, so I don't think it's going to be cast bullet friendly.
Anyone shooting the old sporter in 32-20?

hey mate , old topic and post , but i'm looking at a savage 23c for a lead shooting comp at my local range and thought one of these savages would be a good alternative to a 92 winnie . bolt gun would be a damn sight easier to clean too . commercial hard cast coated bullets work any better in your savage ?

so my question to 32-20 owners is what is the best adi powder for lead loads ? i've been lead to believe 2207 will work , but isn't optimum . if i go ahead with buying a 32-20 i'm prepared to pre order powder from my local GS . ADI has changed their powders recently with APS650 , APS950 being new powders replacing old ones . i know i could just email ADI , but i thought i would ask on here first . i do know where i can get trail boss too . any advice or suggestions would be appreciated

Hi Big Rich...
I have not tried any hard cast only my home cast, which may have been on the soft side...I did load and shoot some Hornady 100gn XTP on the wknd, they shot very well, a little over an inch at 50m with fuzzy looking open sights, so there is potential there to mount a scope, which will shrink that group I'm sure.
Both my home cast and XTP loads were loaded with 6gns of AP70N. (or now APS650) Great fun little rifle, and everyone else who shot it, said the same.
My rifle has a pristine bore but seems to not have much of a tapered lead, which cast bullets really need for best accuracy. I'm going to stay with the XTPs for now until I get a scope mounted that looks kind of period correct. Once I get a scope zeroed in I will try cast bullets again with a known hardness. The M23 is a good little rifle!

thanks for your reply mate . i'm looking at a savage 32-20 to use in rook rifle and settlers rifle class in my local big game comp . they've revamped the rules and bolt guns are now allowable in these classes . most people use cadets in 310 or winnie 92's in 32-20 . 310 cadet sounds like a pain to load for due to eccentricities of the 310 round , bore size variations and heeled bullet . and i hate cleaning lever guns , except for marlins as you can remove the bolt to clean from the chamber end . found out about the savage 23's and thought it might fit the bill . the one i'm looking at has a field instrument side mount for a scope on it . bloody rare item , but you might find one at a regional gun show . getting a savage with a good bore could be a lucky dip , but if i stick to lead it'll last forever. getting powder to load for 32-20 is the biggest sticking point , some 310 cadet users have been getting by with 2207 . i guess if i grab this savage i'll have to pre order with my local GS and wait . so APS 650 is the optimum powder ? i plan on shooting 115gn coated lead , hawksbury river projectiles

[Maxjon]

Hi Big Rich...With the 32-20, it wont matter what bullet you shoot, cast or copper, the bore will last forever.....However, you will need one with zero pitting, for optimum cast bullet shooting. I wouldnt waste your time with 2207, 6gns of APS650 will be the best starting point i think. I load for 310 cadets and they are more accurate than 32-20 thus far.....It really is no different to loading once you get the right mold. Cadets are super easy to clean, and if your shooting cast, a bore snake is all you need. I make 310 brass from 32-20 brass. Im a big 310 fan too!