30 Carbine Blackhawk... extra cylinder in 32-20 ???

[Magnum Wheel Man]

I have a retired machinist / gun smith buddy that has come up with a good way of making single action cylinders, so, I've been thinking about adding another cylinder to my 30 Carbine Blackhawk for 32-20... since I have a Contender barrel with a .308 bore, I should be able to use my dies like they are & not need to change the barrel... This way I could shoot either 30 Carbine, or 32-20 out of the gun... thoughts ???

been thinking about a lever in 32-20... I could look for an older ( possibly pitted bore ) & reballer that in .308 bore, & put together a good companion gun combo ???

 

[Hammerhead]

Since you already shoot the .308-32-20, why not?

There are several .308" commercial cast bullets that are pistol designs, but you probably have your bullets figured out already.

The Win 1892 or Browning model 53 would make a sweet little levergun. I guess I'm a fan of the button mag 53, one of the most handsome leverguns built.

I've been wanting to get into the .32-20 and the .32 long or H&R, but that would be with .312" guns.

 

[Rainbow Demon]

There are a few, not many, point .308 bullets in the weight range and with a profile suited to the .32-20 cartridge. So it would increase the number of available bullet types you can use, if only slightly.
In a pinch you could use any bullet you'd have used with the .30 Carbine, or even pull down milspec bullets from relic milsurp ammo no longer trustworthy due to age or poor storage conditions.

If the Ruger .30 carbine barrel has the proper twist rate for the same class bullet at a lower velocity accuracy should be good.

I'd avoid the temptation to hot rod the .32-20 , extra hot reloads might one day end up in the hands of someone who might wreck a good lever action or antique revolver not meant for higher pressures.
A similar situation would be using .38-44 ( designed for use in heavy frame S&W Outdoorsman revolvers)high velocity ammo in an older police positive special or any of the other medium to small frame revolvers not built to take the higher pressures.
Might not cause injury or completely wreck the gun, but could loosen up an otherwise cherry collectors item.

Several times people have given me ammunition they found while cleaning up the home of a deceased relative. If there are reloads among them, or very old factory loads, I pull the bullets, dump the charge, then use the salvaged components.