32-20 what is it good for???

[rjohns94]

I'm not trying to start a riot so don't jump on me too bad. Have long considered the cartridge but have not had a real reason to own it. Seems like its a 'tweener, between .22 and .357. I don't do action shoots or any other type of target shooting that rings of competition. What critters do you guys use your 32-20 for? is this a short range varmit, mid range? plinking round? what? let me know what you like and don't like. thanks in advance.

[RIHMFIRE]

I THINK IT WAS A PISTOL & RIFLE COMBO ROUND BACK IN THE DAY..
FOR SMALL GAME AND 2 LEGGED VARMENTS!

[Abilene]

I use mine for turkey(fall season) and varmints around the place. Abilene

[homefront]

Well, it's not a mouse gun....

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

[jnyork]

Since you are not interested in shooting any kind of targets or competition, I wont bore you by telling you what a great cartridge it is for lever action silhouette.

[Don McDowell]

It makes a pretty fair small to medium game gun. One must be cautious to keep the bullets out of turkey breast tho.
I know of deer and black bear that have been turned to hungry family fodder with it.
When Colt decided to chamber it in the SAA it was one of the top sellers , up until ww2.

[2ndovc]

Probably my all time favorite round. Don't know how many rabbits, woodchucks, raccoons, Red Squrl. and strays I've knowcked off with this round.
I have three 92s and a 73 in 32-20 and they're all great shooters. Mild, quiet and deadly accurate.

[Hillbilly]

32-20 is one of those chamberings that get re-invented from time to time.

In smokeless, I assume it's ballistics are close to .32 HR mag? Help me out ...I dont have a chart handy right now.

IMHO... we had all the cartridges needed 80 years ago..just the bullets were lacking.

I understand 32-20 has taken it's share of pot meat, deer and the odd bad guy over the years.

I would guess that it's slight bottle neck seals a chamber and prevents blackpowder fouling ala' 44-40? If you re-load I guess you would have to watch die lube to keep from ruining cases.

.25-35 falls in the same class... real close to several other loads in smokeless... and been around for years.

I like em

[Sixgun]

AAAAAhhhhhhhhhh, The 32-20 is one of my favorites. In fact, it IS my favorite pistol calibers levergun. Ok, Where do I start?

It kills anything up to deer cleanly, and I have heard, even those with well placed shots. I've harvested a truckload of squirrels with it, plus many crows, foxes, turkey, (missed him) wild domestic cats, and other vermin.

You like to woodsbum? Ain't nothin' like walking the mountains with a somewhat light rifle in a low noise, low recoiling cartridge that has more oomph than a .22, but don't let the guy a couple of hundred yards away think your disturbing the peace of the woods.

Did I say cheap to shoot? A pennies worth of powder, a 100-115 grain bullet and a 2 cent primer is all it costs. Can load a box of 50 for about $2.

Like Jnyork says, "one of the best NRA silhouette cartridge/rifle combos for the pistol caliber category.

I have that cartridge in a Colt Lightning, '92 Winchester, Mod. 25 Remington and a few pre-war M&P 'smiths.-----------Sixgun

[JerryB]

The 32wcf is has been my favorite round since the early 1950's when I bought a Winchester 1892 rifle from my uncle. I have taken most everything from small game, quail, grouse and dogs up to a ten foot gator. It is an accurate round that can't be beat, and great for heavy groundhogs too. Just a great carrying rifle.

[Wes]

Just about everything except elk/moose/bear. I use mine on the ranch a bunch. I shoot prairie dogs, woodchucks, skunks, livestock killing dogs, coyotes, foxes, porcupines, butcher beef and hogs, put down cows and horses, and whacked a deer or two.
I'm kind of in the minority on my bullet selection I guess. I like the high speed 85 and 100 gr jhp. I can get 2300 fps plus with the little 85. It absolutely vaporizes small varmints and flattens coyotes. But most of the time I like the 100 grain XTP. I use H110 to get to 2000 fps with this and it's my good utility load.
I now have a reciever sight on this little Marlin. For a while it wore a little 2.5x Leupold. It shoots a bunch harder than a 32 H&R. This is one of the few that is never for trade.

[JimT]

Congratulation boys!

Your replies were very nice.

That's one of those questions that could be answered with: "For those that understand, no explanation is necessary." It's like the .44 Special, the 44-40, 38-40 and a host of other "unnecessary" cartridges. Some of them just stir the imagination and inspire nostalgia.

'course .. not everyone is nostalgic or imaginative. In fact, some of us shooters are just too downright practical!

[Rusty]

So in the article Paco doesn't list a velocity for the 125 grain bullet w/ 13 grains of 2400. would anybody like to take a guess as to what kind of speeds he's getting out of that? I'm thinking about 1600 FPS. Looks to me like that's right up there with a .357 Mag.

Rusty <><

[Hillbilly]

on the chart 38-40 looks a lot like .40 SW to me.... fair amount of choice in .40 cal bullets too.

Pistol or rifle.. works well in either. Lot's of these new cartridges are either or....

Did I mention we had plenty of brass choices 80 years ago?

~Hill

[lever-4-life]

If im not wrong I think Elmer Keith once took an elk with one

[AndyM]

I love this round. I cannot think of a better duo than the winchester 1892 and the 32-20 - to me it seems like they were made for each other. A lead 115 FP has enough to meat behind it to be a great all-around woods bumming round. Seems about perfect for turkeys, groundhogs, fox sized game - when pressed larger game and does not make too much of a mess of tree squirrels and such.

You should really have one for yourself.

[JimT]

So in the article Paco doesn't list a velocity for the 125 grain bullet w/ 13 grains of 2400. would anybody like to take a guess as to what kind of speeds he's getting out of that? I'm thinking about 1600 FPS. Looks to me like that's right up there with a .357 Mag.

Rusty <><

Out of my Marlin 32-20

120 gr. cast Lyman #3118

10 gr. 2400 - 1695 fps
11 gr. 2400 - 1804 fps
12 gr. 2400 - 1912 fps

11 gr. H110 - 1796 fps
12 gr. H110 - 1846 fps
13 gr. H110 - 1955 fps
14 gr. H110 - 1987 fps

[Terry Murbach]

THE 32-20 IS A 30 CALIBER RELOADABLE 22MAGNUM.

[Bigahh]

Interesting stuff guys. Makes it even more interesting knowing the fact that the long standing Whitetail World record Jordan Buck taken in the early 1900's was taken with a 25-20, although the buck was hit a few times before recovered.

[Leverdude]

32-20 what is it good for???

Mines only good for shooting. But its a darn fun gun to shoot with & load for. Like Terry said, its like a bigbore reloadable 22mag.

[Bluehawk]

Sixgun mentions it as a woods loafing gun AND IT IS but not much any more in Penna. AND I SEE THAT'S WHERE YOU ARE FROM .
Its a great round I use it for fall turkey in Pa and as a turkey gun the only equal IMHO is the 25/20 . I use it when my son uses my 25/20
BUT since Pa banned hunting small game with any thing other than 22 cal Last year (WHICH upset ME OFF ROYALY ) pardon the expression I have had to resort to carrying my 22 Hornet for turkey as that can be used in the fall at the same time to harvest small game
I use MY 92 in 32/20 now for tHE ocassional fIeld romaning in the spring and fall for ground hogs and crows .
Before Pennas. ban on any thing over 22 for small game I shot many a grouse , rabbit , and squirell SAFELY using 25/20; 32/20/; 38/40 ; 44/40; 44 Special ; 38 Special ; 357 Mag and 45 Colt I Shot two grouse ( On the ground im not that good ) with my OM Ruger Vaquero in 45 colt did not spoil a lot of meaTAND ate both of those birds.
DID I MENTION I HATE PAs BAN ON HUNTING SMALL GAME WITH PISTOL TYPE CARTRIDGES IN EITHER HANDGUN OR RIFLE

[gamekeeper]

From all the posts on this forum and all the other reading I've done on the 32-20 I reckon it's got to be a very useful small to medium game cartridge. Unfortunately I can't find one over here to put the theory into practice!

[jdad]

These two said what I would have said.


From TERRY......"THE 32-20 IS A 30 CALIBER RELOADABLE 22MAGNUM."

.....and from Jerry...."Since you are not interested in shooting any kind of targets or competition, I wont bore you by telling you what a great cartridge it is for lever action silhouette. "

[cslcal]

I agree with all the above about the 32-20. I have one in a Marlin CL Classic; and it is the most fun to shoot gun I own.

Al

[TedH]

I often pondered what I would do with one. Never really came up with an answer, but I STILL WANT ONE. You guys have rekindled the fire.

[tman]

+ 1 bluehawk. it's like the pa. game commission has been hijacked by idiots whom have never hunted, spent even a single day afield, let alone ever shouldered a firearm. i can't waite to see what the classroom bound, idealist moron's will come up with next.

[marlinman93]

I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would want a single .32-20! Everyone should have at least two!
Like others here, I've found the .32-20 to be my favorite pistol caliber rifle round, and right up there near the top as my all time favorite caliber cartridge of all!
I've got two pistols in .32-20, a S&W hand ejector .32-20, and a SAA clone in .32-20. I think I've got 3-4 Marlin levers in that caliber, and a couple single shot rifles too.
I've rarely found a gun that's of good quality that doesn't shoot well in .32-20, and most aren't picky about bullet weights or powders to get fine accuracy.
The little .32-20 was always sot of a ".32 magnum" long before there was a .32 H&R Magnum, and it still outperforms the later one. In the days of all sorts of .32 caliber pistol cartridges, the .32-20 was so far above the others, that it wasn't ever used in a "wimpy" pistol. It's power level was such that it was almost too much for the old S&W hand ejectors, if loaded to max loadings!
If I could only have one caliber for handguns and medium sized rifles, it would be the .32-20.

[JerryB]

Wes from Wyoming, I have better luck with jacketed loads in my 92. I really like the 85 grain XTP,I have not tried the 100 grain XTP yet but I will get some soon to try. 2400 gives me the best results in my old rifle.My load of 8.7 grains of 2400 gave me an average of 1386 fps.It did a job on an old rottweiler that was after my friends calves, the old man was impressed with the round. I think that I would like the 100 grain better for something like that.

[Abilene]

I have had good luck w/ the 100 gr XTP in 4 different rifles. An origional 92, a Miroku 92 short rifle, a Remington pump and an old Savage 219 single shot. Over 2400. Abilene

[win38-55]

My Great Grandfather must have thought it was good enough for
his deer hunting in 1912. By the way that is a Winchester 1873, 32-20
built in 1884. Which is still in the family

[pittman_clay]

i have my great great uncles marlin that was good for dropping a couple of pig thieves in Arkansas about 1910.

[JerryB]

pittman_clay good to see you back with us.

[41bear]

Ah, the 32/20, that's me to your left with the gun my Uncle taught me to shoot with back in the late 40's. Need I say more?

[Kansas Ed]

Took a big mule deer doe with one in Idaho. She ran about 25 yds and flopped upside down after a lung shot. Remington 100 gr. bullet passed completely through. I've shot groundhogs and turtles with it. Wouldn't hesitate to use it on more deer if given the opportunity. Did anyone say it's fun to shoot ? Mine (1892 rifle) was found in a Salt Lake City gunshop years ago, and the shop was so gun naive that they told me it was a 32 special....I picked it up for about $400...wouldn't trade it for $1000...

Ed

[bogus bill]

I have this old colt saa. It is a bad restoration, but is accurate and fun. Its 32-20

[Rusty]

Thanks Jim T, I guess it kind of outclasses a .357 by a god bit.

[.45colt]

Terry hit it right on the head. Jim.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

I currently have 3 SAA's and three rifles in 32WCF. The latest is this Rossi that started life as a 357mag. I gave up looking for a decent Winchester 32WCF carbine and just converted the rossi.



About all I can add is 32-20 is one of those inherently accurate calibers. Sorta like .308 or .223 it provides good accuracy with about any recipe.

[KirkD]

I love my old Winchester Model 1892 (made in 1903) 32 W.C.F. (32-20) and am on the hunt for another one. Here's a photo of the old varmint rifle (held by one of my boys) and a fat Woodchuck it took. It has accounted for a lot of Woodchucks in my alfalfa field. The 32-20 is my favourite varmint cartridge.

[Sixgun]

I love my old Winchester Model 1892 (made in 1903) 32 W.C.F. (32-20) and am on the hunt for another one. Here's a photo of the old varmint rifle (held by one of my boys) and a fat Woodchuck it took. It has accounted for a lot of Woodchucks in my alfalfa field. The 32-20 is my favourite varmint cartridge.

Kirk, Nice picture there. Your son will sure to be a "Winchester man" in the future. -------- Sure wish I could help you as I have let many 32-20's pass through my hands. For most of my collecting career, most people did not want the '92's or Colt Lightnings in the 32 chambering so I let 'em go. Won't happen anymore----------Sixgun

[cshold]

Sixgun mentions it as a woods loafing gun AND IT IS but not much any more in Penna. AND I SEE THAT'S WHERE YOU ARE FROM .
Its a great round I use it for fall turkey in Pa and as a turkey gun the only equal IMHO is the 25/20 . I use it when my son uses my 25/20
BUT since Pa banned hunting small game with any thing other than 22 cal Last year (WHICH upset ME OFF ROYALY ) pardon the expression I have had to resort to carrying my 22 Hornet for turkey as that can be used in the fall at the same time to harvest small game
I use MY 92 in 32/20 now for tHE ocassional fIeld romaning in the spring and fall for ground hogs and crows .
Before Pennas. ban on any thing over 22 for small game I shot many a grouse , rabbit , and squirell SAFELY using 25/20; 32/20/; 38/40 ; 44/40; 44 Special ; 38 Special ; 357 Mag and 45 Colt I Shot two grouse ( On the ground im not that good ) with my OM Ruger Vaquero in 45 colt did not spoil a lot of meaTAND ate both of those birds.
DID I MENTION I HATE PAs BAN ON HUNTING SMALL GAME WITH PISTOL TYPE CARTRIDGES IN EITHER HANDGUN OR RIFLE

I have one thing to say bluehawk, I am ticked and feel the same as you. Thats our PA Game Com. hard at work for the lowly hunter.

[rjohns94]

Ok, First, I agree with the bashing on the Pa Game commision. That single decision is what sparked this post. I was all set to get a 32-20 and they changed the law. I suppose that I can use it for ground hogs, turkey, fox, crows and such. For those interested, I made the plunge on a set of 32-20's - A Colt SAA and a Dakota Arms little sharps with 6x Dakota scope. Another combo!! I traded for most of the combo so it cost me very little cash. Pictures to follow when the goods arrive.

[Old Savage]

Great picture Kirk - you're doing it right.

[rangerider7]

I have a Colt SAA and an old Winchester 53 in 32-20. I load the 53 with stronger loads than the handgun. They are the most fun to shoot or hunt with than all my others.

[Rod WMG]

I don't know how good the round is. I just know I love my Browning M53.

If I were still able to hunt, I'd let you know what it's good for.

[2ndovc]

Have been thinking about this post... and remembered a quote from the late, great Skeeter Skelton when some gun writer(i don't remember who) told him about the introduction of the .32H&R Magnum. Skeeter said "Why? All they needto do is bring back the 'Old Slope Shouldered 32-20' " Apparently Mr. Skelton was also a fan of the 32-20.

[Tumbleweeds]

didn't shoot 500 rounds a week like some of us do. Accurate, and little recoil. My wife's grandfather ran a truck stop in SW Missouri in the old dirt road days when there were no telephones and the sheriff's cars didn't have radios. His protection was a Colt Army Special .32-20 and a Louisville Slugger, and he died of old age.

I have that revolver now, and I love it. Kicks like a .22, hits like a .38. When I carry it, I pack it in an old Bianchi thumb break holster that originally held a S&W K frame but fits the Army Special like a glove.

As for the .32 H&R, it came to be because the .32-20 cartridge is as long as a .45 Colt, and the city folks wanted a round they could chamber in those little belly guns with the short cylinders. Hold a .32-20 round next to a Ruger Single Six cylinder and you'll see what I mean.

In a strong revolver, like an Army Special, it is no great chore to get 1100 fps with a 115 gr bullet. That's getting into 9mm range. With factory ammo, loaded by black powder pressures, the .32-20 is a reloadable .22 mag.

Bass Pro Shop quit carrying this cartridge several years ago, before I took up reloading, and sold the remaining stock at cost, so I have pretty much a lifetime supply of brass. What I need next is a lever gun, and then a single action.