Looking for bullets and loads for this 100 year old rifle. Don't want hot rod loads, just want to see what an old, plain, inexpensive gun is capable accuracy wise. Maybe even cast some if I really have to; but have not heated my pot for nearly 25 years. ANY SUGGESTIONS?

I have no experience with this cartridge what so ever,

But,

There was a Pet Loads article on it in the May 1989 Handloader magazine written by Ken Waters. I have his "Pet Loads" book, and it's in there. He used a Savage 23-C as a test rifle. There are loads listed with 3 jacketed bullets and 3 cast bullets.

There are a wide variety of powders used in the article (13 with cast bullets). Unique, AA#2, SR4756, AA#7, IMR 4227 are all listed with either very accurate, or most accurate next to them in the table notes.

The 91 gr Lyman #313249, 117 Lyman #3118 FN, and Hornady swaged 90 gr bullet were used. Ken said the swaged Hornady proved difficult to get to shoot well in his rifle. His cast bullets were cast using straight wheel weight alloy.

Ken used Federal small rifle primers for all testing.

I believe you can get a reprint of the article from Wolfe publishing?

use boolits as big around as you can reliably make chamber.
the rcbs 98 gr rnfp plain base is a good one.

"Boolit?" What's a "boolit?" If you're refering to a cast bullet then you need look no further than the #3118. (Sorry but that word "boolit" just grates on me.)

Slug the bore and size it 1-2 thousandths of an inch larger in diameter. Better yet, do a Cerrosafe chamber casting and size the bullet to match the throat diameter. Back it up with 8-10 grs. of 2400 or 4-5 grs. of Unique and you're good to go.

The Savage 23 isn't nearly 100 yrs. old yet. It was introduced in 1923. While plenty strong enough for the .32/20 it won't withstand a steady diet of hotrodded loads.

it's not a gluelit,or a p/p or half jacket or a poured through jacket nor a full length metal patch,or a swaged cored bullet.
it's a descriptive term.
unlike hard cast.
or soft cast whatever those are. or plated or nyclad or tumble coated.

Thanks for the ideas guys. On vacation until next week but anxious to try more loads. And boolit does not make me upset just doumbfounded. What is it, please?

there's a website for cast bullet shooters. The founder calls them boolits. I think to differentiate them from swaged or jacketed.

Rich

Ah ha, I think I get it. boolits vs. bullets, eh? What is the cast website? and thanks.