Browning Model 53 Deluxe 32-20

oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Couple new ones (to me) on the way. Will list both, but separate posts for each due to the differences. Will provide what I have and look for any experience you guys have. Thanx

1) Cimarron 1894 26" 38-55 (NIB)
2) Browning Model 53 Deluxe 32-20

Browning Model 53 Deluxe 32-20

This one will be a big trial and error. No clue what the specs of this one are supposed to be. I also have a pair of 32-20 revolvers I have not yet rung out (I have slugged their throats). One is a 4" Colt Police Positive and other is a S&W (Winchester Mdl) M&P 6".

Have Starline brass/Lee dies. For molds I have 2x Lees ~90-93 gr, and 3x NOEs 118-122 grn.

I will prob load revolver level stuff and see how the rifle does first out to 100 yds with it. Once I get a baseline, then look at some specific 32-20 rifle spec loads.

And YES - this one will get d&t'd for some form of peep sight. Most likely a side mount Lyman or maybe Skinner. Doubt I will do a tang on this one.

Any model specific, or 32-20 rifle specific load data/advice is MORE than welcome! Again, TIA.
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
My Browning Model 53 is one of my favorite rifles! Brian Pierce has lots of load data for this specific rifle in a couple of Handloader articles and on their data site. I have other 32/20 rifles for matching with revolvers, so use the closer to top end loads in the Browning.

Yes, I drilled and taped the receiver for a steel Lyman sight. Also stripped off the Browning wood finish, as it was nothing but spider webs after a year here is the desert. Benite and Ship and Shore finish have held up well for the last 15 years.
 
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Any chance you have the specific HL issue #s? I have a ton archived. But can also prob cross reference via Load Data... And yes, I suspected the 53 could handle the top end 32-20 loads. Intend to get there, but also want to shoot the two revolvers a lot, so expect they will go to the range as a trio for funnsies. And then load the rifle for woods/real rifle work.
 
Brad

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I would need to check but my Marlin 32-20 likes a 120 rnfp over 5 gr of Unique. Don’t quote me on that load, been a few years.
My 32-20 is very good at giving elevation change with velocity change.
 
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Brad said:
I would need to check but my Marlin 32-20 likes a 120 rnfp over 5 gr of Unique. Don’t quote me on that load, been a few years.
My 32-20 is very good at giving elevation change with velocity change.
Click to expand...

Brad - that 5 gr of Unique certainly seems to float to the top for the 32-20 rifle loads! Thanx!
 
Glaciers

Glaciers

Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
No more than I expected. They are nice rifles for sure.

Just wanted to be first in line.
 
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CZ93X62

CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
Those Model 53s--Browning or Winchester--are BEAUTIFUL.

Many years of 32/20 reloading here, both revolvers and rifles. General points on revolvers mentioned--I would not exceed 800-825 FPS with 115-120 grain bullets in the Colt PPS, or in the S&W M&P if made before 1920. Medium-slow shotgun powders do the best work in 32/20 revolvers, the now out-of-print SR 4756 was the late Ken Waters' "Pet Load" for 115-120 cast bullets @ 6.0 grains. That is a bit much for the PPS or older S&Ws, which got 5.4 grains max in my toys. 6.0 x 4756 gives about 900 FPS in my 4-3/4" Colt Bisley and 1930's 5" M&P. Herco seems like a good substitute for 4756, chronography with my 3 stronger 32/20 wheelguns (#3 is a 1920-made Colt Army Special) show that 4756 data less 5% is an equivalent. What Brad said about velocity change imparting elevation change is Gospel, in both rifles and revolvers.

Chamber specs are like Duesenberg automobiles--no two are alike. That shoulder is likely to move noticeably between the die-set position and the chamber's idea of where the shoulder should locate itself. Chambers' shoulders are set longer than those inside sizing dies. The older W-W and R-P brass would stretch EVERY firing, usually unevenly. It will require trimming every firing, or crimps will be off-kilter and cases will crumple. Starline is much better in this respect, but you'll need to trim every second firing if your chambers act like mine.

I have yet to be greatly successful with any load that performs well in both revolvers and rifles. YOU DO NOT WANT hi-pressure rifle loads in any of the revolvers you list herein. Ruger Blackhawks can likely fire them safely, or maybe one of the few large-frame custom heavy-built wheelguns made in this caliber. Original or replica 1873 Winchesters should stick to revolver-level loads (115 grainers at 900 FPS in wheelguns or 1200 FPS in the carbines). Win 92s and Marlin 94s in good condition can run 115 grainers to about 1700 FPS safely. In my 2 Marlins, Lyman #311316 has done the best work at higher velocities, I've bumped it to the 1800 FPS ballpark with accuracy to 150 yards. Alliant 2400 and AA #9 have done the best work here, and in rifles the Remington #6-1/2 primer cut groups sizes almost in half. CCI #400 and WSR are too much, CCI 500 and WSP are not enough. Rem #6-1/2 is just right, and small pistol magnum primers might do similarly well--I haven't done a shoot-off between them (yet).
 
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
SO... Took damned near a month for to the rifle to get here, since it was shipped via USPS. THEY SUCK!

Picked it up yesterday/LGS had one box of ammo (the move has hosed up my casting/reloading), and got to shoot it. I can see this one turning into one of my favorites REAL quick! A real bonus was letting friend shoot it and also the 1873 in 44-40. She works at the range but in the retail section and doesn't have a lot of shooting experience. And I am always showing up with odd stuff. And enjoy letting people shoot my old/odd/nothing they've ever even heard of before!

She really enjoyed shooting both the old calibers. But the REAL plus was when I was leaving and she told me how much fun it was and a great 'escape' from her current stress. Her sister (51 yo) is in the hospital with Covid and a bunch of medical complications and probably won't make it. Really beating her up. But for a very short time she got to have a little trigger time and was able to put all that at bay. I was very happy I was able to facilitate that! You just never know when you can/will/might really help someone thru something. Glad it was my day to do so.

And... the "pics or it doesn't exist..."IMG_1692.jpgIMG_1693.jpgIMG_1694.jpg
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Mine was a used Cowboy gun that the owner dropped out of shooting. I ended up stripping the Browning finish off (that is a long story!) and getting at least some of the factory stock scratches out and redoing in tong oil. One of my most useful rifles. Your has nicer wood than mine.
 
CWLONGSHOT

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
Always liked these never owned one. But I have had two 1892's. 25 & 32/20's. I still have a Marlin Classic in 32/20. Not nearly as "classy" as yours but she is fun! I also hate to admit I use the Savage 23 more. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

CW
 
RicinYakima

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
CW, I understand that a lot! My Savage 23 is scoped, so if I am just going to sit and shoot varmints, it gets the call. Only on walking trips does the Model 53 with aperture sight get first call. Ric
 
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
RicinYakima said:
Mine was a used Cowboy gun that the owner dropped out of shooting. I ended up stripping the Browning finish off (that is a long story!) and getting at least some of the factory stock scratches out and redoing in tong oil. One of my most useful rifles. Your has nicer wood than mine.
Click to expand...

I have stripped a Browning A5. I KNOW that story - lol! AND, to make matters WORSE, the tung oil we used had gone rancid! YES - tung oil CAN go bad! You think a Browning finish is tough, try getting bad tung oil out! I will take 5 Brownings to strip!

Fortunately, THIS one is WAY to pretty to strip. I will shoot it, and I WILL scratch it. And I will shed a tear when I do, and cuss at the scar that can't easily be repaired. But I don't own safe queens!
 
oscarflytyer

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
RicinYakima said:
CW, I understand that a lot! My Savage 23 is scoped, so if I am just going to sit and shoot varmints, it gets the call. Only on walking trips does the Model 53 with aperture sight get first call. Ric
Click to expand...

Ric - what ap sight you using? Lyman side mount? Mine is not d&t'd, and that IS going to happen. I have to have a peep. Would PREFER a Lyman 57/66 STEEL side mount, but I might also go with a top mount Skinner peep.
 
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