.32-20 Winchester
Encyclopedia
The .32-20 Winchester, also known as the .32 WCF (Winchester center fire), was the first small-game lever-action
cartridge that
Winchester
produced. It was initially introduced as a blackpowder cartridge in 1882 for small-game, varmint hunting, and deer. Colt produced a single-action pistol chambered for this cartridge a few years later. Currently, Black Hills Ammunition
sells a 115 FPL cartridge of this caliber.
The name .32-20 refers to the 0.32 inches (8.1 mm) bullet and standard black powder charge of 20 gr.
, and the .327 Federal
, equal or surpass the .32-20 in modern firearms.
Although it is an inexpensive cartridge to reload
, care must be taken by the reloader, because of the extremely thin walls of the cartridge case. Energy and pressure levels for handloading are determined based on the strength and condition of the firearm action
to be used. Because most firearms chambered for this cartridge are older (e.g. early model Winchester
Model 73 and 92 rifles as well as older Colt
and Smith & Wesson
revolvers) factory ammunition usually has reduced pressures from what can be achieved through handloading. Most factory ammunition exhibits ballistics of about 1200 ft/s (365.8 m/s) and 325 ft.lbf of energy at the muzzle with a 100 gr bullet from an eighteen- to twenty-inch rifle barrel. The performance characteristics of the cartridge listed in the sidebar should be considered maximum performance parameters obtainable, and even then only with a modern weapon designed for higher pressure loads. Factory-type loads - and reloads mimicking factory type loads - are the safe maximum loads for use in older weapons chambered for this cartridge, as most of the weapons the cartridge is chambered for are. Few if any companies still manufacture hunting weapons in this caliber.
cartridge is simply a necked-down version of the .32-20. In addition, the .218 Bee
was created using the .32-20 as its parent cartridge.
Lever-action
Lever-action is a type of firearm action which uses a lever located around the trigger guard area, to load fresh cartridges into the chamber of the barrel when the lever is worked. Most lever-action firearms are rifles, but lever-action shotguns and a few pistols have also been made...
cartridge that
Winchester
Winchester Repeating Arms Company
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company was a prominent American maker of repeating firearms, located in New Haven, Connecticut. The Winchester brand is today used under license by two subsidiaries of the Herstal Group, Fabrique Nationale of Belgium and the Browning Arms Company of Morgan, Utah.-...
produced. It was initially introduced as a blackpowder cartridge in 1882 for small-game, varmint hunting, and deer. Colt produced a single-action pistol chambered for this cartridge a few years later. Currently, Black Hills Ammunition
Black Hills Ammunition
Black Hills Ammunition is an American ammunition and reloading supplies manufacturing company based in Rapid City, South Dakota. Black Hills is popular among Cowboy Action Shooters because they produce quality ammunition in a number of obsolete calibers, such as .44 Russian, .38 Long Colt, .44-40...
sells a 115 FPL cartridge of this caliber.
The name .32-20 refers to the 0.32 inches (8.1 mm) bullet and standard black powder charge of 20 gr.
Performance
Although the .32-20 cartridge was occasionally used for deer hunting in the past, it is really too light and low-powered for deer; it is much better-suited to small game. It has a good reputation for accuracy in both rifles and the few handguns that have been chambered for it. Because of its low power, it destroys very little meat, making it a good hunting round for appropriately-sized game, up to about 100 yards (90 m). The cartridge is now approaching obsolescence, as shooters turn to other similar, but more powerful and flexible, loads. The power-level of more modern .32's such as the .32 H&R Magnum.32 H&R Magnum
The .32 H&R Magnum is a rimmed cartridge designed for use in revolvers. It was developed in 1984 as a joint venture between Harrington & Richardson and Federal Cartridge...
, and the .327 Federal
.327 Federal Magnum
The .327 Federal Magnum is a cartridge introduced by Sturm, Ruger and Federal Cartridge, intended to provide the power of a .357 Magnum in six shot, compact revolvers, whose cylinders only hold 5 rounds of the larger .357 Magnum cartridge...
, equal or surpass the .32-20 in modern firearms.
Although it is an inexpensive cartridge to reload
Handloading
Handloading or reloading is the process of loading firearm cartridges or shotgun shells by assembling the individual components , rather than purchasing completely assembled, factory-loaded cartridges...
, care must be taken by the reloader, because of the extremely thin walls of the cartridge case. Energy and pressure levels for handloading are determined based on the strength and condition of the firearm action
Firearm action
In firearms terminology, an action is the physical mechanism that manipulates cartridges and/or seals the breech. The term is also used to describe the method in which cartridges are loaded, locked, and extracted from the mechanism. Actions are generally categorized by the type of mechanism used...
to be used. Because most firearms chambered for this cartridge are older (e.g. early model Winchester
Winchester Repeating Arms Company
The Winchester Repeating Arms Company was a prominent American maker of repeating firearms, located in New Haven, Connecticut. The Winchester brand is today used under license by two subsidiaries of the Herstal Group, Fabrique Nationale of Belgium and the Browning Arms Company of Morgan, Utah.-...
Model 73 and 92 rifles as well as older Colt
Colt's Manufacturing Company
Colt's Manufacturing Company is a United States firearms manufacturer, whose first predecessor corporation was founded in 1836 by Sam Colt. Colt is best known for the engineering, production, and marketing of firearms over the later half of the 19th and the 20th century...
and Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson is the largest manufacturer of handguns in the United States. The corporate headquarters is in Springfield, Massachusetts. Founded in 1852, Smith & Wesson's pistols and revolvers have become standard issue to police and armed forces throughout the world...
revolvers) factory ammunition usually has reduced pressures from what can be achieved through handloading. Most factory ammunition exhibits ballistics of about 1200 ft/s (365.8 m/s) and 325 ft.lbf of energy at the muzzle with a 100 gr bullet from an eighteen- to twenty-inch rifle barrel. The performance characteristics of the cartridge listed in the sidebar should be considered maximum performance parameters obtainable, and even then only with a modern weapon designed for higher pressure loads. Factory-type loads - and reloads mimicking factory type loads - are the safe maximum loads for use in older weapons chambered for this cartridge, as most of the weapons the cartridge is chambered for are. Few if any companies still manufacture hunting weapons in this caliber.
Daughter cartridges
The .25-20 Winchester.25-20 Winchester
-External links:* * *...
cartridge is simply a necked-down version of the .32-20. In addition, the .218 Bee
.218 Bee
The .218 Bee is a .22 caliber centerfire rifle cartridge designed for varmint hunting by Winchester in 1938. The cartridge was originally chambered in lever-action rifles, which may have ultimately led to its lack of popularity...
was created using the .32-20 as its parent cartridge.