The 32-20

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Takem406

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My local gun store has a few old Winchesters in 32-20. After a Google search I found some info and that MidwayUSA sells the brass.

I kinda want an old fun lever gun to plink and shoot gophers with that's got more than a 22 caliber.

Had any one had any experience with these or has loaded for em?
 
I've got a 1925 S&W hand ejector in 32-20. I was able to find ammunition and it's a great little plinker. I think the ammo came from Midway.
 
I really enjoy shooting the .32-20. I load for a S&W Hand Ejector in .32-20. I use trail boss powder for light loads. The one major problem for me is that the brass near the casemouth can be PAPER thin on some cases. You tend to lose some brass because it buckles. Enjoy yourself! It's a great old cartridge!

Ryan
www.handgunradio.com
 
I found the round is simple and easy to reload. Fun to shoot but not the most accurate. The bores on most the level action i have seen look bad but after heavy scrubbing most shoot 2.5 to3" at 100 yards. I played with 4 winchester 92' s over past 30 or so years. I still have one, it does not get shot much but one of my grandgirls likes it.
 
I have five HE S&W's, a couple Colts, plus three rifles in 32-20. They are not exactly elephant killers, but enjoyable to shoot.

Luckily, I saved my brass years ago and found more in the "Wanted" sections of various gun sites. As noted above, reloading is a careful process because of the neck thinness, but not daunting. The last factory loads I saw were in the $65 range, so reloading is a must.
 
I've got one of the marlin CC L'S which stands for cowboy carbine limited. It's on their 1894 frame so it's a pretty compact little rifle. My local cabelas usually has the ammo for about $38 a box. I'm trying to remember for sure the brand but can't. Some Western cowboy cast lead stuff with 115 grain rn bullets in starline brass. Pretty mild stuff, shoots okay but not great in my gun. I've reloaded for it a bit with one of the little Lee Loader kits using laser cast bullets and either unique or 2400 powder. It's a gun and load I need to devote more time to but have not shot a whole lot yet.

If you look on YouTube there are some interesting videos of guys shooting the 32-20 at some pretty impressive distances. There is also one where he has a dead cow suspended from a backhoe and also has a bench with water filled milk jugs lined up on the back side. Believe it or not, that little 32-20 pop gun shot through the cow and the bullet went through three or four milk jugs on the other side. I'd have never thought it possible.

I also have a friend who says he shot a white tail doe with his 32-20 and accidentally killed a second deer standing behind it. They generally are thought to be too small of a caliber to hunt deer with but I'm certain that a careful and deliberate shooter could easily take deer with one. I'd kinda like to have a little revolver to go with my rifle but I'm not actively looking.

If you find a deal on one, it would certainly be something fun. Recoil in a rifle is about zero.
 
I love the 32-20. Loaded up toward the higher end it would work for a deer cartridge at very close range with picked shots; although I have never done it. Loaded down with trailboss in the rifle I have taken rabbits and squirrels cleanly about as far as I can usually see with open sights and it make no more sound than the hammer falling.

Since the 32-20 is almost devoid of recoil, sessions with it can easily run into the hundreds of rounds. It's an outstanding cartridge for cast boolits, and often rifles with less than perfect bores will shoot quite well with cast. I use a plain based bullet that weighs 78 grains for super light loads, a 96 grain gas check bullet for medium loads, and a 117 grain bullet for heavy loads.

If you like to shoot and you like small game hunting, it's a great cartridge, especially now when I can load the 32-20 cheaper than I can buy a 22 rimfire.
 
32-20

The 32-20 is a fun old caliber. I have a Marlin 1894 CL and a Colt SAA in 32-20. I load fairly light loads with cast bullets for the Colt and heavier with jacketed bullets for the Marlin. It is really a hoot to shoot the old West calibers; 32-20, 38-40 & 44-40. :) WB
 
I love my Browning 53 in 32-20. It is a copy of the Winchester 53 which, of course, is build on the 92 action. I reload both light 115 grain lead loads and higher velocity stuff with 100 grain jacketed softpoints. It is one of my favorite 'walkabout' rifles, suitable for everything from squirrels to coyotes.

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That's awesome!
Not sure on the models, they are old.
The local gun store bought an estate which had several dozen old rifles.
The prices are about 5-700 I think.
The also have a couple 25-20's. How are these vs the bigger brother?
I hardly ever shoot 22lr anymore.
I'd like a 22 mag for gophers, especially prairie dogs for longer shots. But a caliber I could load for would be better that isn't a loud 22-250.
 
My brother reloads my brass for me so I can't really say. I do know he keeps in mind that both my weapons are in the hands of their fourth generation. With the original leather, I might add...

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That's an awesome saddle ring!
Probably "could" use one for a reliable home defense gun with the some good hollow points. Probably wouldn't over penetrate either.
I'll be getting my tax refund here soon so I'll see about setting a side some cash. The wife could use another lever gun.... :-D
 
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