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Post by cooner on May 22, 2008 9:06:39 GMT -5
Anybody here have any experience with the 32-20 round in a '73 Winchester? Do they cycle good and are they an accurate round? I am wondering if there are any issues that I should be considering if I get one. I haven't been able to find anyone who has had a 32-20.
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Post by Grizz on May 22, 2008 22:42:34 GMT -5
I just talked to Billy on the phone. He's having compooter problems right now but said when he gets back on here he can overwhelm you with info on that round. He said he's owned 2 different guns in 32-20. He should be back up & going here shortly. Maybe by the weekend.
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Post by cooner on May 23, 2008 14:01:11 GMT -5
Thanks Griz!!!
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Post by Buckskin Billy on May 25, 2008 15:24:54 GMT -5
HEY COONER, i use to own a marlin model1894 that was 32wcf(32-20) i traded it for a winchester model 1892 32 wcf. the marlin was made in 1915 and the winchester was made in 1911. they were both great guns. i sold off the winchester the other day. i don't get rid of guns unless i replace it with another one. i'll be showing my new gun off soon. anyhow the 32-20 was designed for the model '73 winchester. i'm barrowing a compooter rigth now so i don't have all my facts with me. but winchester developed the model '73 for the 44-40 in 1873. the 38-40 in 1878 and the 32-20 in either 1882 or 84. they were oringinally called the .44 wcf the 38 wcf and 32 wcf. meaning winchester central fire. marlin started makeing there lever guns in the same calibers and didn't want to put winchesters name on there guns so they went to calling them with double digits. just in case some one don't know the second number is SUPPOSE to be the powder charge. all three of these cartridges are bottleneck. the reasoning is to aid in chambering from a tubalar magazine such as the model'73. also when fired the bottled part opens up and acts as a seal to keep black powder fowling from getting into the action. in long arms these are generally good cartridges that don't cause no feeding problems. in revolvers they have a bad repitation. the reason is cuz of the bullet diameters. they run all over the board. some 32-20 bullet diameters run from .310-.315. thats alot when tolerances are already close. they also have a bad repitation when it comes to reloading. the reasoning is cuz the bottleneck is so thin. being shot out of a lever gun they require a good strong crimp. with the thin case neck it is easy to crush or bulge the case. the solution is to make sure all your reloads are properly trimmed to the right length. get a lee crimp die and crimp seperately instead of on the seating die. and make sure you know your bore diameter and load proper bullets. a .310 bullet will rattle down the barrel that is .315. if you dont reload be sure to buy factory ammo that the old 1873 will handle. the '73 design has a toggle link and hot loads will destroy a very good gun. as far as feeding i never had no problems with my marlin the winchester i never shot. as long as i did ever thing i just explained. my old marlin was just about wore out when i got it. there was hardly any rifling left in the barrel. it would keyhole on paper targets but would murder a coke can at 20 paces. i have some reloading data i could share with you for smokeless and blackpowder, when i get my compooter fix. if you can find a copy i recomend reading shooting leverguns of the old west by mike veniterino. he is a guru on blackpowder cartridge shooting and i have learned alot from his readings. he aint no armchair gun expert. he knows his stuff from actually doing it. hope i helped you on this some. i'm no expert but if you have any other questions i could help i may not know the answer myself but i know were to go to get the answers
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Post by Buckskin Billy on May 25, 2008 15:26:57 GMT -5
just wandering cooner. why the 32-20? i'm sure you have a good reason. just would like to know
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Post by cooner on May 25, 2008 21:36:41 GMT -5
I'm thinkin' about a '73 Winchester in either 44-40 or 32-20. The Uberti made ones. I can't afford a original '73 Winchester with the prices the way they are now. The Uberti's from Cimmaron are supposed to be the best from what I hear. I am figgering that I can load down the 44-40 for small critters. What is your experience with these two cartridges?
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Post by Buckskin Billy on May 28, 2008 12:16:53 GMT -5
if it was me, i would go with the 44-40. it can take any deer size critter with a well placed shot to 100 yards. that might be a little of a stretch but a many deer and other critters fell to this ole cartridge. the modern made shells for the 44-40 will hold between 30-35 grains of blackpowder, cuz of the solid head design. the originals were called ballon heads and the head of the case was hollow. so it held more powder( 40 grains) another caliber is the 38-40. it suppose to be about like the 44-40. it is actually a .40 caliber and modern day .40 s&w lead can be used in it. i have no experiance with it though. if you hand load and don't want to fool with blackpowder, that trail boss powder from i.m.r. is real good. i haven't used it but a couple of fellers i shoot with swear by it. the model 73 winchester is a fine rifle and will serve you well reguardless or what caliber you choose. the old toogle link design in it is flawless. it just keeps on working. i haven't seen too many that jammed or had a feeding problem unless some one didn't do there part at the reloading bench. when i first started cowboy shooting everyone was useing the model 92 design cuz it has a shorter lever throw. but i seen a good many of them jam bullets from trying to feed two at the same time. now since they got them short stroke kits everyone is going to the model '73 or '66. cuz they work
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Post by cooner on May 28, 2008 12:52:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the info. Another reason I think I am going to like the toggle link action in the '73 is because it was still being made clear up into 1929 or so. Well after the '94 came into production. Evidently a bunch a folks still wanted to buy the old '73 model. Besides, they look cool!!!
I'll do some reading up on the Trail Boss Powder. I don't mind the black stuff though. That's all I have ever shot except for a few times in my life when I temporarily lost my sanity.
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