Frank Barnes said it all in his Cartridges of the World, Seventh Edition. The .300 Whisper was a caliber that really caught my attention, especially so as I already owned a T/C Contender. I decided that I really “needed†another barrel, and in that caliber. The barrel could be had, special order, through my regular wholesaler. I owned a wee gunshop in east-central Alberta, so I had access to many sources. But alas! Nobody, and I mean NO BODY, could supply me with the .221 Fireball brass necessary to form the Whisper cases. So there I was, stuck.

In my battery is a 10†.32-20 barrel. Ho! says I. The case looks to be about the same size. I already have a load that chronos just over 2000fps with the Hornady 100gr. SJ. I already have a stock of Sierra 190gr. Matchkings which I shoot in my Garand. I have been handloading since 1947, so must have learned something of the art. Why not try to make a dream come true using available components?

Starting with wee pinches of odd powders, the first loads would not even exit the barrel. I’m a very cautious experimenter! 4.8grs. H110 averaged under 600fps. 5.5grs. of the same cratered the primers. 9.0grs. H335 gave no pressure indications, but had a huge muzzle flash. SR4759 showed promise. Eventually I had some loads coming out at between 800 and 900fps. Increasing very gradually, I eventually arrived at 8.6grs. SR4759 on the CCI 500 primer, which consistently chronographed at 1050fps. with no flash and no bore fouling. Seating depth must be held to give 1.985†OAL, to seat in my chamber. This gives a slightly compressed load. My PACT Professional chronograph shows and extreme spread of only 66.4fps. and rested accuracy from the bench is all I could ask from a scoped handgun.

The load loses velocity extremely slowly. The ballistic computer part of the PACT says only 100fps. in the first 300 yards, and only another 100fps. in the NEXT 300 yards! It sounds impossible, but given a required holdover correction by the PACT for 550 yards, it is no problem to hit Silhouette rams at 500 meters from the bench. And it will shatter good-sized rocks FAR downrange. This fearsome combination recoils about like a .38 Spl. 158gr. standard load in an average revolver, and report is minimal.

Habcan,

I did exctly what you did, only with an old Yugo SKS 7.62x39 shooting a 180 gr GC cast at about 950fps. Velocities were kinda eratic using 2400 and H110. The bullets were shot as cast and accuracy leaves something to be desired at 100 yds because the SKS slugs .312. With a "proof of concept" behind me I am passively looking for a TC barrel in 7.62x39. I never thought of using the .32-20. That was my Grandfather's favorite for everything from deer on down. I think I'll add it to my "look for" list. What's your 100 gr load that does 2000fps?

Thanks for the post...it gives me a new idea!!

In my BF 30-20, I use 9.0 grs. Vitavhouri N-110, Sierra 190 Matchking. This load is deadly accurate, low recoil. Velocity is 1150 fps.
Melvin

Lowrider, it's been a while and as far as I can determine the load for the .32-20 that chrono'd 2000 fps in my 10" Contender, using the Hornady 100 gr. SJ, was 12.7 grs. IMR #4227, but DON'T quote that as gospel. I am not sure at this time and I don't want to be responsible for blowing you up. If I can confirm in the near future, I will re-post, K?