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120gr 32-20 hard cast lead for downloading
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lohr500 View Drop Down
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    Posted: September 29 2024 at 9:33am
Hi all,

1st post since lurking for a while and then joining the site.

I'm a long term shooter but new to Enfields' apart from shooting one during my time in the UK Combined Cadet Force whilst at school!!

I have always wanted a No5 (forgive me for my sins) and now have the ability to acquire one.

The indoor range at my main shooting club is set up for 25 yards and has strict rules on muzzle velocity, muzzle energy and the use of lead only bullets. So downloading is the only option.  

I've trawled Google and seen several comments on how folks have used 32-20 bullet heads successfully  for low energy, short range shooting with their Enfields.

Can anyone help with real life experience on going down this route?

I use Hodgson Titegroup powder for downloading .44 Mag ammo for my Marlin, so I'm already comfortable loading my own ammunition.

Any advice or guidance would be much appreciated.

Thanks
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britrifles View Drop Down
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Welcome. 

Many years ago, a friend of my Dads shot light weight cast lead bullets through his No. 4 in his basement. I still have some of those bullets and believe they were 120 gr .32 calibre. 

I don’t see any reason why that would not work. Typically a pistol powder like Unique. Has to be a fast powder to get reliable ignition. When I get back home, I’ll look to see if I have load data for that bullet in the .303. 

Is there a muzzle velocity maximum you need to meet? 
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Interested in this … for no other reason but to work the granddaughters into a full bore rifle !!!
"White Rhino"

"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer." --W. C. Fields
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Originally posted by britrifles britrifles wrote:

Welcome. 

Many years ago, a friend of my Dads shot light weight cast lead bullets through his No. 4 in his basement. I still have some of those bullets and believe they were 120 gr .32 calibre. 

I don’t see any reason why that would not work. Typically a pistol powder like Unique. Has to be a fast powder to get reliable ignition. When I get back home, I’ll look to see if I have load data for that bullet in the .303. 

Is there a muzzle velocity maximum you need to meet? 


THanks for the feedback.

Max muzzle velocity = 520 meters per second
Max muzzle energy = 645 Joules.

Any info you can find would be helpful.
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he!!o.
It seems that the most often suggested powder is Alliant Unique.
Here in France the closest would be either Vectan Ba9, which is equivalent to Unique, or Vihtavuori N340, which is slightly faster.
The suggested charge of Unique is 10 grains, but I think it's supersonic. Still, a good starting point. I think I'll try 9gr of N340. Now that I think about it, I might still have a handful of .312 .32-20 115gr lead bullets... If so I will try and report back. My reloading dies have been mailed today, and hopefully I'll get them by Friday for a range session on Saturday (if I find the bullets).
Ya'll have a great day Wink
Gil.
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I use 7.62 x 39, 311 in my practice rounds.

Cheaper I have found.
Always looking for military manuals, Dodge M37 items,books on Berlin Germany, old atlases ( before 1946) , military maps of Scotland. English and Canadian gun parts.
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You can also use a single lead No "0 Buckshot" shotgun pellet! That with a few grains of Unique & a dacron filler will do an excellent short range, very quiet pest control load.
some starting loads, as always work up.
11 Grains of Unique behind a 151 Gr hard cast bullet.
21 Gr of 2400 behind an 80 grain cast bullet.

We used them for rodent control inside barns.
Failing that there's a sub caliber insert that will convert the SMLE to a single-shot .32 pistol round . I'm not sure of the legality of that in England, the insert may qualify as "another firearm in a different caliber".
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Originally posted by Shamu Shamu wrote:



Failing that there's a sub caliber insert that will convert the SMLE to a single-shot .32 pistol round . I'm not sure of the legality of that in England, the insert may qualify as "another firearm in a different caliber".



Thanks for the info. I've no experience of caliber adapters in the UK, but I suspect it would involve submitting a certificate variation request to cover the adapter and to hold the .32 pistol rounds.
The adapter may even need a serial number.

As well as the firearms, all ammunition requirements have to be listed on the certificate as well with a specified max quantity that can be held. 

It took my local Police Authority nearly four months to turnaround my last variation request, so it is not a quick process in the UK!!!! 

But thanks again for the suggestion anyway. I think a downloaded .303 case with 32-20 lead is going to be the quickest way forward.  
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All right, so the results are in...

No5:
Lead bullet for .32-20, 115gr RNFP.
Vihtavuori N340. OAL 64mm.
8gr: 1328fps.
9gr: 1452fps.
I only had eight bullets left, so I couldn't try more loads, but 8gr @ 1328 is right where i wanted it.
I'll be posting my N540 results soon.
Gil.
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Originally posted by gilgsn gilgsn wrote:

All right, so the results are in...

No5:
Lead bullet for .32-20, 115gr RNFP.
Vihtavuori N340. OAL 64mm.
8gr: 1328fps.
9gr: 1452fps.
I only had eight bullets left, so I couldn't try more loads, but 8gr @ 1328 is right where i wanted it.
I'll be posting my N540 results soon.
Gil.

Thanks Gil Thumbs Up
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that would be a great way to introduce youguns to the centerfire rifles , more push than a kick , like my cowboy loads 
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I shoot 200gr lead PC .312`s with 20gr of IMR 4227 they`re pretty slow.
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Originally posted by shiloh shiloh wrote:

I shoot 200gr lead PC .312`s with 20gr of IMR 4227 they`re pretty slow.

Interesting, thank you. The equivalent powder for me would be Vectan SP3...
I wonder if N110 could be used, 200gr lead...
I would want to keep them around 1400-1500fps...

Gil.
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Apologies for the delayed follow up to my original post.

I have finally acquired a No.5 which should be with me later this week, or early next.

After much Googling and the feedback above, I am going to try a starting load using a 120gr 32-20 lead bullet sized to .314, over 5gr of Titegroup. This for shooting at my local 25 yard indoor range.

I will report back on the results in due course.
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As promised here are my N540 results in the No.5:

Bullet is the Hornady Interlock .312.

Gil.
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Great!
I always have a great deal of amusement when I show up at the indoor range with the SMLE!
"YOU CANT FIRE THAT IN HERE"!Shocked
"poot"Big smile
I love the .22 Smellie!
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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