32-20 for whitetail deer

[trooper joe]

Hello forum,

Been a while since I posted but I need some information.

Last fall I suffered a detached retina which was treated by freezing and a gas bubble.

I am told by my retina specialist and a "shooter" optometrist, not to worry about re-detaching the troublesome retina or the one in my good eye by shooting.

However, I have sold my 7mm Rem Mag and my two 12 guage pump shotguns (never liked shooting a 12 guage when I was a Trooper).

I have a new, Davidson special, 1 of 500, Miruko made Winchester Model 92 in 32-20 that I really love. It is very accurate and I have actually taken a few squirrels with the open sights and my old eye (I only have one good one, the retina detached one is sort of wrinkled).

Knowing full well that current 32-20 ammo available (100 grn lead loading and some Jacketed Soft Point ammo) is probably too weak for deer, I would like to try some ammo I found.

Several years ago, I found two boxes of some very nice ammo labeled "32-20 Winchester, 90 Grain Sierra, Jacketed Hollow Cavity". This ammo had a warning label "to be used only in Wesson Ruger and T/C pistols". It appeared to be manufactured by the original Dan Wesson company.

I feel that a 32-20 in the common lead alloy loading is probably way to light for deer hunting. However, it appears that this Wesson ammo I found would do just fine (just like my .357 Mag rifle that I sometimes use).

If you have any information on the ballistics of this ammo, I would appreciate it.

This situation with my sensitive retina, will get me back into hand loading again (as I did over 40 years ago). However, until I can start hand loading, hopefully this Wesson ammo will suffice for deer hunting in Michigan.

Thanks for any information you folks may have.

[JerryB]

Many deer have been taken with the old standard factory loads. I load the Hornady 85 and 100 grain XTP HP bullets for my old 92 Winchester. Kirk has some good loads for a 115 grain hard cast bullet that would make a good close range deer load. Several here load the 32-20, just about my favorite round.

[John Boy]

Sierra 90 grain Jacketed Hollow Cavity 1.535” OAL

231 3.4 grains 679 FPS 4.5 grains 937 FPS
Unique 3.6 grains 639 FPS 4.8 grains 864 FPS
AA-5 4.7 grains 697 FPS 5.4 grains 875 FPS
SR-7625 3.7 grains 716 FPS 4.5 grains 845 FPS
SR-4756 5.2 grains 791 FPS 5.5 grains 928 FPS

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=53431

[win38-55]

The 32-20 is fine for killing deer. Take a look at my Great Grandfather here in 1912 with his 32-20.
It is an 1873 Winchester in 32-20 the gun was made in 1884. I am sure he shot many deer dead with his.

[Hobie]

Sierra 90 grain Jacketed Hollow Cavity 1.535” OAL

231 3.4 grains 679 FPS 4.5 grains 937 FPS
Unique 3.6 grains 639 FPS 4.8 grains 864 FPS
AA-5 4.7 grains 697 FPS 5.4 grains 875 FPS
SR-7625 3.7 grains 716 FPS 4.5 grains 845 FPS
SR-4756 5.2 grains 791 FPS 5.5 grains 928 FPS

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=53431

I would imagine that it does something better than that out of a rifle. In any case, what is the load for the DW produced round? Anybody know?

[gundownunder]

What you have sounds like it was designed to be high performance ammo for strong guns, so should be suitable for the Miroku 92.
With the 90gr Sierra HP I would think it was originally designed to be varmint ammo so I would probably stay away from shots that require penetration, but I would not hesitate to smack medium game under the ear with it.

[KirkD]

In Clyde 'Snooky' Williamson's Winchester Legacy, he writes that he's taken quite a few Whitetail Deer with a 32-20 loaded up to to the high velocity level.

[RSY]

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/3220wcf.htm

[AJMD429]

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/3220wcf.htm

Yep.

• 1. Shot placement
  2. Bullet construction
  3. Everything else

[Remington40x]

I remember a Gun Digest article from the 50s or 60s in which Francis Sell described taking an elk with a .25-20. He was a superb hunter and an even better shot, but I thought then, and still think today, that it was not something one should do if better tools were available.

Before I went with the .32-20, I'd seriously consider a similar rifle in .357 Magnum or .41 Magnum, with weight added if necessary to reduce the recoil.

[Pisgah]

Back when the .32-20 was new it was thought a dandy deer cartridge, and many folks proved it to be. Deer haven't changed since then. So I have no doubt that, within its limitations, it will do the same today -- and this is the same statement I would make about almost any potential deer cartridge.

I think most modern factory loads would probably be a bit light for deer. There may be some out there loaded to the old "Rifle Only" limits, but my thought on a 90 gr. HP would be that it is intended as a varmint round.

Here lies the beauty of handloading. I have no doubt whatsoever that a suitable 100 gr. bullet could be loaded fast enough to do quite well on deer to 100 yards, thank you. But you could also develop a load for that 7mm Mag with a 140 gr. SP at maybe 2300-2400 fps that would be almost as light-kicking and far more big-game suitable than the .32.

[BenT]

I would think with a double lung shot under 100 yards you should be fine. I load 100 gr bullets to around 1900 fps. Which puts in ballistically the same as a 30 carbine. My father in law uses a 30 carbine for deer hunting. He says ,double lung shot they go about 100 yards before tipping over. A flat point would be better than a hollow point.

What state are you hunting in? I could load you up 50 rounds that would work.

[tman]

Shot placement and RANGE; only YOU can determine that. If given a choice i'd go with a .357 magnum. But, if you can shoot, and you know what you are doing, a 32-20 can surely kill a deer. Good luck hunting.

[Kansas Ed]

Years ago I shot a large mule deer doe with my '92 in 32-20 with Snooky's published loads. She was about 75 yards out, ran about 25 and flopped down dead. Lung shot, took out both sides and bullet passed completely through. I have no idea about the DW loads though, and I would prefer a different bullet than the Sierra HC. I think I'd keep shots with that bullet and unknown velocity to 50 yds or so, and make sure you have a good lung shot available. I wouldn't mind one unknown variable, but you have two...the velocity and the bullet construction. FWIW, I was using the old Remington 100gr FP bullet in my reloads.

Ed

[Rusty]

Ben, he's in Mich.


Funny how many deer have been killed in years gone by before folks got so educated.

Shot placement is everything.

[RDB]

Gas check 110g lead Flat points with Snooky's hot loads. Head shot drops them right now with that one in my wife's Browning 53. Same load will generally shoot through on a broad side whitetail. And such a fun rifle to carry in the field.

[trooper joe]

You guys are great.

By the way, I just received a call from my gunsmith that my .357 Marlin is ready. So after all this discussion, I guess I will use that rifle, one of my favorites, with Buffaloe Bore 180 grn hard cast flat nose bullets (have used that before and it was great).

I am real excited about the information on the 32-20 however, and I am heading out to the gun store today to get back into reloading for this great cartridge. Over 40 years ago I used to cast all my bullets out of wheel weights and had my whole mobile home full of lead smoke (no wonder my kids are so goofy).

Seriously, I will research the best hard cast bullet material and will probably feel very comfortable with a gas check type.

Dan Wesson company returned my email and although it is a different staff etc., they also thought that the 32-20 ammo I have is meant for varmints only and is about 1,100 fps.

Thanks again for the great replies,

[BenT]

If your getting back into casting . I would check out Ranch Dog moulds. They are designed for Marlins with the chamber dimensions determining the end weight of what the bullet will be. He doesn't start with the weight of the bullet determined first , it is determined by center of balance , point of lift , etc. I water quench his gas check bullets and push them over 2000 fps with accuracy and no leading problems. Plus they are tumble lube design which is more cost effective.

Other wise I would suggest Rainier Copper plated bullets. I have tested their 100 gr bullets on water jugs at 50 yards. At 1960 fps they penitrate 3 water jugs. The flat point shows no deformation at all and the hollow point mushrooms good. Compared to the Hornady 100 gr XTP which left the cup in the first water jug and what was left of the lead in the 3rd. Upon retrival of the fired bullet , the rifle grooves never went through the copper plating in to the lead core . Thus the copper plating is plenty thick. If you can't find components PM me . I might be able to part with some. Good Luck !

[Old Savage]

You would have to think this is marginal but in the hands of an expert would work.

[Nath]

You would have to think this is marginal but in the hands of an expert would work.

Now don't go getting your hackles up OS because I am not criticising you, but how many 45-70 rounds did that deer take?

The point I am trying to make is that power don't get game, if it were true arrows would have no chance.
Someone I knew when he started deer hunting use to go on about ft/lbs blah blah blah, I can allways remember the look of shock on his face when ever a deer did not go flop, so much so he would fail to work the bolt and get a second round in and there I was with a little 222 making little noise and no fuss.

Go get them, just know your medicine and now your limits

Nath.

[Old Savage]

Nath, that is part of the mystery of it, I am still amazed, but how many 32-20s would it have taken. Jack O'Connor said the Mexicans eliminated deer in some parts with the 22. But, ....... ?

[Nath]

I hear you OS I hear you. I just don't fall into the more is better camp idealogy.

Tried the 3" stuff for geese but the 1 1/4oz and under were fine, used a 243 for small deer and sheep when the 222 was fine. Used a 243 and 30-30 on our large red deer when folk all around me were using 270, 7Rem mag and a 30-06. None of us lost any deer!

It becomes a numbers game and we forget about just getting the job done, we resemble a flock of sheep sometimes following the trend of the herd.

Most of us on here admire the 45/70 but a huge number of folk would dismiss it as just old technology.

Who was that guy that checked in here regular with his deer hunting with a 32-20 last year?
I recall him doing ok.

Best wishes as ever.

N.