Target Sports

COWBOY CLASSICS: 32/20

Created on 14th May 2009

DEREK LANDERS on the .32 Winchester Centre Fire, a mid-powder cartridge good for small and medium game

WHEN WINCHESTER introduced the Model 1873 rifle the fortunes of the company were assured. Although Winchester had achieved some success with the earlier Model 1866 in .44 rimfire, the advent of centre fire ammunition, with cases which could be reloaded many times, saw the birth of a long line of rifles which would make the company name synonymous with the term ‘lever action'. After the success of the Model 1866, it seemed logical that the new rifle should begin life in the same calibre, in this case the .44 Winchester Centre Fire, or, as it became known, the .44/40. About a year after the introduction of the 73, a new cartridge was introduced in the shape of a necked-down version of the .44/40, namely the .38/40. These two chamberings served the rifle well until 1882 when a third calibre joined the line. This was another bottle-neck round of .32 calibre named the 32 Winchester Centre Fire. Because of its 20gn charge of black powder the cartridge was soon using the same descriptive terminology as its two larger brethren and was known as the .32/20.

Popularity

A mid-power cartridge, the .32/20 is good for small and medium game, showing decent accuracy and killing power out to 100yd or so. It soon gained popularity among those putting food on the table and keeping predators like foxes and wolves from taking the livestock. Following its introduction and early success, others began to chamber their products for this calibre and just about every major American rifle manufacturer has had one or more models in its line-up, be it lever, slide or bolt-action, or single-shot, using the .32/20 cartridge. When Winchester introduced its second ‘pistol calibre' rifle, the John Browning designed Model 1892, the three popular calibres of the 73 were the principal offerings. Marlin also offered the cartridge in the Models 1889 and 1894. Colt and Smith & Wesson also produced revolvers for this round and it was the fourth most popular calibre, in terms of numbers produced, for the Colt Single Action Army revolver.

Once again the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting is responsible for a renewed interest in this cartridge and in 1988, although it would probably be classed as semi-obsolete, Marlin reintroduced this calibre in the line-up for the 1894 rifle. Uberti has also seen the need to offer its reproduction 1866 and 1873 lever-action and 1885 single-shot rifles in this calibre. Undoubtedly one of the attractions of this calibre for CAS competitors is the distinct lack of recoil in both rifle and handgun, although the lack of variety in weapons, particularly revolvers, sees less of it in competitions than its two big brothers. Remington, Winchester and Black Hills, the latter including this cartridge in its range of ‘cowboy' loads, are producing factory ammunition. For the handloader, brass made by Winchester, Remington and Starline is on offer, along with cast lead bullets. Moulds are available from Lyman and RCBS for those wishing to cast their own bullets.

The original factory loading for this cartridge was 20gn of black powder behind a 115gn lead bullet. In an 1899 catalogue Winchester also offered the option of a 100gn bullet with the same powder charge, and this load is available again today. As with all centre fire cartridges designed for tube magazines, the bullet has a flat nose, the diameter of which is greater than that of the primer used. The dangers of a pointed bullet resting on the live primer of the cartridge ahead of it in the magazine are patently obvious.

Winchester's catalogue from March 1891 lists the 1873 rifle, in the calibre of your choice, at $18 for the 24" round barrel model, with the octagonal barrel costing $1.50 more. Longer barrels could be furnished at a cost of $1 per extra inch and the guns were fitted with the curved butt stock. Shotgun style butts were offered as an option at no extra cost. The 20" round barrel carbine version cost $17.50. The reloading tool and bullet mould were priced at $2.50 per set, regardless of the calibre. Cartridges cost $16 per thousand and came 2,000 to the case. Primed cases were $9 per thousand with lead bullets costing $4 for the same quantity. The penetration power of the .32/20 was tested using 7/8" dry pine boards, set 1" apart at 15ft from the muzzle of the gun. The tiny .32 went through six boards and lodged in the seventh. By comparison the .44/40 penetrated nine boards while the .45/70 with a 405gn bullet went through sixteen.

Sample loads

A Winchester 1899 promotion claims that, using a 24" barrelled Model 1892 rifle, factory ammunition with the 115gn bullet reached a modest 1,177fps. While not being overly impressive, this was adequate for the rifle's intended use. Modern Winchester ammunition, loaded with a 100gn bullet, is quoted at 1210fps with a muzzle energy of 325ft/lb. Today's Remington offering in this calibre, of identical configuration to Winchester's, gives exactly the same performance. Both sets of figures were obtained using a 24" barrelled rifle.

Using a 115gn RNFP cast lead bullet in a Uberti 1873 rifle, again with a 24" barrel, Mike Venturino achieved the following results. A comprehensive list of loads for the .32/20 can be found on www.ammoguide.com.

For those wishing to shoot this cartridge there are still a number of original Winchesters available, albeit most are in the USA. If buying an old rifle it is wise to have it proofed if it has not already been done. As an approximate guide, rifles before 1900 should be used with black powder only and all Winchester rifles can be dated by their serial numbers. Remember also that the 1873 action is not as strong as the later 1892, so care should be taken not to overload these guns, even those with smokeless proof. Modern rifles should be quite safe if you ensure that you follow the powder manufacturers' loading guidelines.

COWBOY CLASSICS: 32/20

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COWBOY CLASSICS: 32/20

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