32-20 WCF

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:52 am

There has been alot of OT posts as of late - I thought I would start something very levergun related.

Let's talk about the 32-20 WCF - What are your favorite guns in this caliber? How about your favorite bullets - cast or jacketed? What are your favorite uses for the caliber? What powders are you using to reload it with?

One of my all time favorite rifles is a early 1900's 1892 Winchester rifle. I put a Lyman tang sight on it and just love to take it out shooting, either on the range or hunting. Fall turkeys here in PA or goundhogs in the summer. This rifle really started my love affair with Winchester lever actions. I reload for this caliber also - using using either tightgroup for plinking or 2400 for a little more heavy of a load for those whistle pigs. My favorite bullets are laser cast 115 grain lead and Hornady XTP's.

Let's here it from you all...

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:12 am

The 32-20 (also known as the 32 WCF) has been one of my favourite calibers since I was a teen. One of our neighbours had one ... an ancient Marlin 1894 and I was hooked the day I was over at their place and one of the boys about my age had just brought home a box of ammo. When he pulled out one of those little cartridges and seeing that ancient levergun, I was hooked. I didn't actually get my first and only (thus far) 32-20 until about 5 years ago. Since then it has accounted for numerous Woodchucks down in the Alfalfa field. It is my favourite varmint cartridge.

As for loads, I haven't really spent much time developing any yet but I want to. So far, my main working load has been 9.3 grains of 5744 under a plain base, cast 90 grain bullet for 1,209 fps. That was 'minute-of-groundhog' for me. I've been wanting to try Unique. I've also used 10 grains of 2400 under an 85 grain JHP Hornady for 1,512 fps, but I stay away from jacketed bullets in an effort to cut down on my shooting expenses. I currently have about 900 of the 90 grain cast bullets.

As for what guns I'd like to have, I presently have a Winchester Model 1892 round barreled rifle made in 1903. If I had my choice, I'd like to have an original Winchester Model 53 in 32-20 and my second choice would be an original Winchester 1892 octagon barrel rifle in at least 80% condition.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:26 am

We have several articles about the 32-20 on the site ...

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/1894cl.htm

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/marlin_3220.htm

We could use some more articles about this fine little caliber!

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:30 am

Marlin 1889 - firing pin broke but hand-made a two-part one. Need to shoot it some and see if worth fixing up with better pin. Will post pic later.

abcollector · Post by **abcollector** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:34 am

Great topic! I love my 32-20. It is a repro Browning 53. One of the originals would be nice but usually condition and price prevent me from obtaining one. Actually the Browning I have was purchased from a fellow forum member back in Sept. I've been extremely happy with it. I did add a Williams FP receiver sight to it and am still working on some loads for it. As far as commerically available stuff bullet wise, I like the the heavier weights better, around the popular 115grs. (I'm hoping with the .327 coming out that our bullet selection will improve).
I'm just getting into casting my own and had a mold made that is a 115gr gas check FN. Can't wait to get them rolling!
I wish Rem/Win still offered their 100gr soft point but the Hornady 100gr XTP is pretty decent.

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:42 am

32-20 is my favorite CF caliber. I've had several Marlin's chambered in it, but currently only have an 1894CL, for silhouette, and a 7.5" Colt SAA. I load a Laser Cast 115gr on top of 9.5gr of 2400, for silhouette, and 3.9gr of HP-38 for the Colt.

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:37 am

I have a Winchester Model 53 That I really like. It is very accurate and light. I have a 32-20 Colt SAA for it's companion.

TX50Cal · Post by **TX50Cal** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:45 am

abcollector,
could you post a picture of the Browning 53 with the receiver sight. I have one also and would like to add a receiver sight myself.
Thanks,
Dave in TX

Mitch1352 · Post by **Mitch1352** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:21 am

I second the request for a pic. I have a Browning also, and was thinking about a full length mag tube, but I don't want to spoil the gun.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 11:41 am

Thank you AndyM, for the NONE OT POST. I'm still hoping to find a 32-20 over here that I can afford. Now Marlin has dropped the 94CL it will be even harder to find. But I read anything I can about that caliber as I reckon it would be the best choice for a quiet and not too powerful round for more populated areas. With potential for handloading a more potent round if required. The firearms officer who I have to "BEG" for any new rifles did not know what a 32-20 was but has agreed that I can swop my Hornet for one when I can find one. Still its fun looking, I enjoy hunting for guns almost as much as hunting with them!

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 1:57 pm

My first 32-20 was a Martini Cadet that had been rechambered to 32-20 with a .317 bore.

([lewisblack]It's a lever! It's. a. lever.[/lewisblack])

I picked it up for $100 in the mid-80s, and since it patterned more than grouped and the bore was a bit corroded I had it relined, and the metal bits bead blasted and satin reblued. The result is a lightweight, easy-carrying tackdriver.

Because of my success with the Cadet, I picked up a 5.5" EMF 1873 Single Action from a local shop that had it in the display case for like four years. Although heavy, it's a solid performer on claybirds standing on edge at 25 yds.

The EMF was followed by a 4-5/8" Taylors & Co. 1873, and a 4" S&W M&P Hand Ejector. Both of those handguns will shoot better than I can.

Finally, a year and a half ago I parted with $375 for an as-new 80s-vintage Marlin 1894CL in 32-20 at a local small show late in the afternoon on Sunday. Seller needed to cover his expenses and hadn't up till then.

The 32-20 is one of those cartridges that sneaks up and grows on you fast.

Noah

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 2:20 pm

You hit my hot spot now son, back in early 1954 I bought a Winchester 1892 32-20 24 inch round barrel rifle from my uncle that was made in 1917. That was my first lever gun and at age 15 I thought I had the world by the tail.It is still my favorite rifle and has taken a lot of game.I wish Winchester still sold the old 80 grain HP high speed, that was a hot load. I have had some good loads for that shoot good.2400 and the 85 grain XTP about match that old factory load.It would be a great rifle to use on the varmits in England or any place.
We like them don't we Kirk.

Spiritmaker · Post by **Spiritmaker** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:54 pm

I hereby stand and admit it. 32WCF is my most funnest caliber. I have several different variation on Winny 92s and a few Marlins. Oh yea, a couple of Colts and Uberti SAA. I think my favorite is my Marlin 27s.

Spiritmaker

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:05 pm

I rebuilt a 1889 Marlin 32/20 last year.
Its a real fun gun to shoot & seems easy to load for.

I like it alot & am in the proces of getting a 25/20 Marlin up & running to keep it company.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:14 pm

Probably my all time favorite woods gun/ cartridge. Knocked off a heck of a lot of woodchucks, coons , possum and strays with my 32-20s.

Right now I have four. Two 92 rifles, one's a beater I traded a No4 Enfield for( came in pieces). The other I bought at an auction when I was in college. It's a beauty, paid every penny I had at the time ( @400.00).for it. I can still hear the Ex-Mrs. screaming at me

Easily worth three times that now due to the condition. The other two are a 92 SRC that I've put a zillion rounds through and my Grandfather's '73.

Favorite load is a 115 gr LFN w/ 4.5 grs Bullseye. Though I don't use that load in the 73. 4 Gr Unique works well in that one.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:39 pm

The .32WCF is my favorite pistol caliber round for a levergun! I don't use it for anything but fun plinking, but I love it for that!
My favorite gun in this caliber is a old 1894 Marlin I own made in 1896. It's got a 28" full octagon barrel, and is a real tack driver! The low recoil, long barrel, and mild report, combine for a lot of fun shooting!
It's the 5th one from the left in this picture:

Tumbleweeds · Post by **Tumbleweeds** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:42 pm

She inherited it from her father, who inherited it from his father, the original owner. One heck of a nice pistol - had hardly been fired when I got it.

I ran into a store that was closing out its .32-20 ammo for cheap, so I got a shopping cart and bought it all. I'm about out of it, so I've bought a set of dies, but I haven't loaded for it yet. Since I have about a bucket full of brass, I am probably set up for life.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:14 pm

Noah Zark wrote:My first 32-20 was a Martini Cadet that had been rechambered to 32-20 with a .317 bore.

([lewisblack]It's a lever! It's. a. lever.[/lewisblack])

I picked it up for $100 in the mid-80s, and since it patterned more than grouped and the bore was a bit corroded I had it relined, and the metal bits bead blasted and satin reblued. The result is a lightweight, easy-carrying tackdriver.

Who did the reline? I think I'm going to do that to my extra Cadet...

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:17 pm

awp101 wrote: Who did the reline? I think I'm going to do that to my extra Cadet...

Bill Gostomski of Mt Savage, MD.

Superb 'smith.

http://www.gostomskisgunsmithing.com/

Noah

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:22 pm

Thanks!

abcollector · Post by **abcollector** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:35 pm

TX50cal & Mitch1352-
Here are a couple of pics of the Browning 53 in 32-20 with the Williams FP receiver sight. Hope it works!

LeverBar · Post by **LeverBar** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:25 am

My youngest son (17) loves his .32WCF 1873. Beautiful lines, 26" Octagon, full magazine, crescent butt.

He bought it five or more years ago with his own money--There is much more to the story--$862 for it and a NIB Ruger Blackhawk Convertible Buckeye .32-20/.32H&Rmag.

Oregon Trail Laser-Cast .313 FP., 3gr. Titegroup. (The barrel is fairly bad, so--) BPI Original Shot Buffer.

Danged accurate and too much fun!

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 3:20 am

I guess you could say it's one of my favorites.
I have 3 SAA's in 32WCF, two 4 3/4" guns and another 7.5"

I now have three 32WCF rifles. This 92 was made in 1893. It now has a new liner.

This 73 made in 1887.

And the latest is this Rossi carbine. I have always wanted a 32WCF carbine shooter but everything I looked at was just worn out so I relined this rossi about 5 years ago but it took that long to get the right combination of parts to make it run really sweet.
Once I got it going good I decided to clean it up some being that it was one of the older dark wood guns.

Here's a 32-20 Marlin I rebuilt for a feller. This gun actually belong to his grandfather and his dad shot it as a child but the grandfather had to trade it to a water well driller for a new well. Fifty years later the grandson manages to get it back into the family. I thought that was kinda cool.

Yeah, you could say I kinda like this caliber.

32-20 WCF

32-20 WCF

favorite 32wcf

Mine is a Colt Army Special that my wife gave me.

Pics of Browning 53 receiver sight