32-20 vs 357

[northmn]

Really do not need a comparison of power etc so much as I have an opportunity to get a Marlin 32-20 built for Ducks Unlimited and really have been fighting the urge as I just got a Rossi 357 which fills the same need for me. I got the 357 as a tractor 4 wheeler gun to shoot various varmits I might run across while cutting wood and as a plinker. While the 357 is a deer caliber I have othr rifles like a 30-30 and a 38-55 which I would use for that purpose, however, I still go out and cut during deer season. I see that Starline offers brass for the 32-20 at a reasonable fee and the dies are also at a reasonable fee such that I it would not break me to make the ammo up for it. I already have a mold and sizing dies as I have shot many a 303 British. I need another lever gun about as bad as I need a hernia, but I am as bad as many others for what I want vs what I need. I like to keep coyotes honest around the place and either would work. The 32-20 has a 24 inch barrel and is tapped for a reciever sight that I already have. Probably the Marlin is more accurate also. Darn thing.

DP

[David LaPell]

I had a Marlin 1894CL in .32-20, and I wish I still owned the darn thing. It was very accurate even though I wasn't into handloading back then. Personally I have found the quality of rossi guns spotty, where as Marlins, especially some of the older ones seem to be pretty decent. You won't regret getting the .32-20. Brass is out there, bullets are there too, and a good set of Lee dies is all you will ever need.

[19112TAP]

I have the 1894CB in .32 H&R Mag, 1894CL in 32-20 & 1894c in .375/38 spl and really like them all and have no plans of selling any. I load the .32 Mag with a 100gr SWC at a modest speed and use it for squirrel and varmints around the farm. The 32-20 I load up a 115gr to a mild to higher velocity and use it for varmints and deer. Then the 357 I load them up with 180gr LBT type boolits at max. velocities for deer and a varmint that I might see while deer hunting so I cover a lot of possibilities with all of them and it's fun not to pack the same rifle all the time just to mix things up.

[missionary5155]

Greetings northmn
Buy the Marlin and sell it to me. I have been looking for a 32-20 Marlin.
My son in Morristown would enjoy having this at home till I return.

[KirkD]

Personally, I would take a 32-20 over a 357 any day of the week solely on the basis of nostalgia. I have had a few different 32-20's and always plan to have one. It is my favourite varmint cartridge.

By the way, having also reloaded for both the 32-20 and the 303 British, the bullets one uses in a 303 aren't the same as what one uses in a 32-20. Typically, the 32-20 uses 115 grain bullets, but 90 grain bullets are also very common. The 32-20 bullets are usually flat nose. The 303 bullets, as you well know, typically weigh quite a bit more than 115 grains.

[excess650]

I have an 1894CL in 32-20 and (3) 1894c 357s. They have different purposes in my mind, and the 32-20 is a great small game and varmint cartridge. It can be loaded so as to be almost silent and still maintain 50 yard accuracy. Critters up to and including coyote size beware! I regard the 357s capable of more serious work and encounters, but still pleasant to shoot, and accurate. I may get around to downloading for the 357s, but maybe not.:popcorn:

The Lyman 311008 is reason enough to own a Marlin in 32-20.

[405]

Nostalgia and the early lever gun/Colt SAA connection is a real phenomenon. I always thought of the 32-20 as an "in-betweener" and never paid much attention to them- focusing on the 25-20s, 38-40s and 44-40s. Then in a moment of weakness with a dose of obsessive compulsive purchasing disorder, picked up a 1st Gen Colt SAA 4 3/4" in 32-20. What a joy to shoot.... then came the Winchester 73 and 92 in 32-20. Darn is right, it's a verifiable affliction. Matter of fact shot a few thru the 73 this morning. Just got a 32cal-115gr Ranch Dog mold so had to try them. Absolute justification (excuse) to spend some range time. :)

[northmn]

I did not plan on loading 303 brit bullets in the 32-20 but I have sizing dies for them. The barrel slugged at 310 or a little bigger with 7 groove rifling which makes it a little harder to mike as odd rifling does not have opposing sides to mike from. I broke down and bought it as life is too short not too. It is a 1894 CL with what looks like a 21 inch barrel and half magazine. Need to set up for pictures. Ducks Unlimited medallion in butt stock. Came with a box of Remington factory cartridges marked at $21.99 on sticker and 18 rounds fired out of the box, which according to the sales person may have been all its been shot. Kind of looks that way. It was won at a DU banquet by the previous owner and he claimed that he never shot it so it got traded in. Shot 3 rounds out of it when I got home with it and busted a couple of plastic pop bottles. Still too much snow on the ground to do any serious shooting. Looking at Star line Nickel plated brass.

DP

[Bret4207]

I have a mess of 32-20's. Love the cartridge. It's enough different from a 357 that you come to think of the 357 as a much "bigger" rifle. If you can, latch onto a Lyman 311316, the 311631 is another good 'un. You can also try the Lee Soup Can. It's designed for .308 barrels but mine runs close to .311 and shoots in 2 of my 32-20s pretty well (and in my K32 just fine which was a pleasant surprise!).

Ken Waters did a real good write up on the 32-20 in Pet Loads. You should have the book anyway, but that article on the 32-20 in rifles is worth the cost IMO.

[btroj]

I have a 32-20 and a 357, I prefer the 32-20 hands down. Can't ask for a better slinking rifle.it is cheap to shoot, accurate, and just plain fun.

Brad

[quilbilly]

I also have both a 32-20 and a 357. The 32-20 outshoots the 357 every time for accuracy and is absolutely deadly on varmints up to the size of small cougar with my loads. It is a pure joy to shoot with CB's.

[northmn]

I am thinking that the 357 may go down the road later as my 32-20 really fills the bill for a smaller caliber. My Rossi 357 is starting to behave at longer ranges with a 150 grain bullet but many are stating that it likely will prefer a lighter bullet. I do not need either as a deer gun, so much as for general carry. The little Rossi is handy though. Will have to wait for the snow to go to check on accuracy but I have certain suspicions all ready.

DP

[9.3X62AL]

Another huge fan of the Marlin 94 leverguns in 32-20 WCF checking in. It took a bit of shooting to get the bore "broke in", but once it had 700-800 rounds through it......look out, rats and coyotes. Mine is a "CCL" variant made in 2004, 20" heavy-contour octagon barrel and full-length mag tube. Unalloyed delight, on the range or in the field. With soft-pointed boolits at 1700-1800 FPS, it might do for the coyote-sized deer we have in CA. It's primarily a jackrabbit whacker for me, though.

[excess650]

My older brother shot his first deer with a Remington Model 25 in 32-20 when he was 11. I'll venture a guess as to say he was using the anemic 100gr factory loads in that borrowed rifle, but it took that small doe anyway. It wouldn't be my recommendation to use this cartridge for larger than coyote sized game, but a well placed shot would get it done.

Mine is reserved as a plinker and small game rifle. Its light, accurate, and relatively quiet with most plainbase cast loads.

[Bret4207]

I know a lot of people that took a lot of deer with 25-20's , 32-20's, 38-40's and other "underpowered" cartridges. I used to fish with an old millwright that carried a what I believe was Colt New Service in 38-40 for bear medicine. I'm told he shot a mess of them.

So, with that said, and hiding my considerable lust for your brothers M25, I have to say that given a good shot I wouldn't hesitate to take a deer with my 32-20. Mind you I shoot a Savage 23, Lyman 311316 @ 120ish grs at around 1650 fps. Death on coyotes and adequate for close in shots on whitetails.

[btroj]

I have considered using my Marlin 32-20 for deer. I hunt in an area where a 25 yard shot is very possible. Might just have to do it one of these days.

Brad

[northmn]

I mentioned on another thread that the 25-20 and 32-20 were considered small game catridges that were OK for deer and said that they really were too big for small game and too small for deer. An individual from Alaska told me that he loves his 25-20 as it takes fur bearers like fox very well and that he has shot some small deer with his. An older individual mentioned that the 32-20 was better than the 25-20 for deer as it was more powerful. He had shot a few with one as a kid and was using factory loads. It is easy to get into a mind set that if we really load one up it will be at least adequate for deer. Ranch Dog has loads at about 2000 fps listed for the Marlin. Point is that we start drifting away from what the cartridge is good for when we do that. I plan on using loads at or about 1400 fps in mine, maybe 1300 fps. My 357 is a joy to shoot with a 38 special load that chronographs a 150 grain bullet at about 1150. A 357 mag load at about 1400 is not all bad either. When I purposely go out to hunt deer I plan on using either the 38-55 or 30-30. Still may take one of these along when I put up wood as a gun of opportunity for what shows during deer season. Sometimes we soup them up and use a harder alloy and get the same results as using a more moderate laod with a softer alloy.

DP

[excess650]

IIRC, the Jordan buck was taken with a 25-20 in Minnesota way back when....shot multiples of times and still managed to get to the river to float away.

The standard loading for the 32-20 was pretty anemic. It was loaded in BP era Colt SAAs and 1873 Winchesters. With the advent of stronger actions like the 1892 Winchester, HV loads were sold by the ammo companies. Regardless of the HV loadings, my 1894CL has never seen a GC boolit let alone a jacketed one. I use it as a "big 22" and let the extra diameter, weight, and flat nose (311008)get the job done.

Certainly the 32-20 with modest cast loads will take a whitetail, but it'll have to be a head shot if I'm going to pull the trigger.

[NHlever]

I haven't run across a 32-20 that I could afford at the time I saw it (well there was one at a gun show, and I should have bought that one) so I use my 30-30. Other than the cases being larger it works. I use 5.0 grains of Red Dot behind the Lyman 3118 (311008 these days I guess) or the Lyman 311316. In my carbines it gives me about 1200-1300 fps. I still want a 32-20 though since there is something in having the caliber you really want to mess with. Gun show coming up next month so maybe I'll see a Marlin 1894 CL there.

[lbaize3]

I have a Marlin 1894 classic with the round barrel. I have put a full length magazine on this rifle. I also have a Winchester 1 of 500 reproduction and the wife has a Marlin 1894 cowboy in 32-20 with the octagon barrel and full length mag. She prefers the 32-20 to the 38/357 because of the lighter recoil. I like the 32-20 over my 357 Marlin lever rifle because I feel the 32-20 is much more accurate. I also feel that John Taffin's load of 10 grains of 2400 behind the plain base 115 grain bullet provides enough knock down and penetration on anything I find in the Southeast Texas woods. I am also sure that I can load even faster gas checked 115 grain bullets in the 32-20 If I wanted to hunt varmints at 150 or more yards. My vote is for the 32-20 as the favorite lever gun at this house. (Don't even get me started on all the various 32 caliber pistols we own and shoot.)[smilie=l:

[northmn]

The Jordan buck was likely shot with the original BP equivalent loads from the 25-20. The individual from Alaska admitted loading to about 1500 fps for his. That is kind of a nice speed for that type of rifle. As Ibaize3 stated, if one had to take longer shots it probably would pay to load it hotter. I even load my 357 down a bit for general use. I could have purchased another 30-30 far cheaper, and loaded it down, but there is something more rewarding about using a cartridge balanced for the lighter loads.

DP

[Dave Bulla]

I've got a Marlin 1894 Cowboy Carbine Limited on layaway right this minute. I don't think it's ever been shot. Gonna take me a couple weeks to get it home but I'm really looking forward to shooting it and letting the boys take a crack at things too.

What's a box of ammo running for this caliber lately?

[Four Fingers of Death]

I have an orignial 92 Winchester built in 1927, nice gun but sights are a bit ordinary for precision shooting. I would love a Marlin with a low powered scope sight. I currently have a Savage bolt gun with a mint Bbl and I am getting an old 4x Burris with a post and crosshair sight. If the gunsmith ever gets around to doing it, I bought a 115Gn Willbird Group buy mould for it, should be a great combination. I saw a second hand 25/20 Marlin recently, but it was used and dearer than a new 357???????????

[358wcf]

I have both calibers in lever rifles (Browning in 32 and Marlin, Martini Cadet, and Rossi in 357)
I love both of them, but if I could only have one, it will be the 32!

Get both, and don't look back!!!

358wcf

[Four Fingers of Death]

They are both excellent cartridges, the 357 a bit more flexible I suppose, allowing light 38Special loads right up to red hot 357 Magnum loads. In reality most places have a variety of small game and most would struggle through with a 32/20 and never feel undergunned.

[jlchucker]

I kind of wish Braztech Rossi would look into chambering their 92's in 32-20, and sell them at a reasonable price.

[northmn]

The 357 is a handier caliber for anyone buying ammo as you can buy either the hot 357's or get 38 special loads. They will be far cheaper than a box of 32-20's. Also there are the promotional brands like the cheap white box WW at about $20. I have not bothered trying to price factory 32-20's as you cannot find them in stores like Fleet and the one sporting goods store I know that stocks ammo like this would likely charge about $50. Mail orders might be less expensive. Handloading the 32-20 is very reasonable as the brass is about the same as 357 brass. Molds are molds in cost. I happened to have a Lee 120 grain round nose mold I bought for light 30-30 loads that looks promising for the 32-20. It drops bullets at about 312 to 313 and the slugged bore on the Marlin is about 311.
As to sights, switching between 38's and 357's need a change in rear sight settings. My Rossi required that I file down the rear sight and now I have the elevator such that I can raise the rear for 38's and lower them for 357's. The buckhorn rar sight on the Rossi was lousy anyway so I opened the notch so I could see the front sight and opened the buckhorn to see the target.

DP

[northmn]

Just for curiosity I checked Grafs for ammo prices and the 32-20 was about $30 but only came in one brand, PCI, with a 120 grain lead bullet. 357's were cheaper at about $20 plus or minus with a very large variety of offerings. As I said earlier, I can get 38/357 ammo about anywhere but 32-20's are kind of scarce. That is an advantage to some and a good reason why many rifles are offered in 357. A 32-20 Rossi would be nice but my Marlin now sports a peep sight whcih it was drilled for and I could scope it.

DP

[Jon K]

northmn,

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/Jon_K_2006/1894CLDU32-20002.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/Jon_K_2006/1894CLDU32-20003.jpg

Get it you'll love it.
I have had several 357's and 32-20's of other brands...and this is a KEEPER.

BTW, barrel is 22" w/Ballard rifling.

Jon

[northmn]

I bought mine but it does not have near that nice of wood. Mine is walnut but almost looks like stained birch. Mine has a fold down leaf sight so I did not have to make a dovetail plug but it may see a tang sight like that one as the use of a "long range sight' while I use the rear sight for up close. It's still in the development stage as is my 357. I do admit I like both of them, but I think the 32-20 fits better for most of my uses for that type of rilfe, but...

DP

[Bret4207]

I have a Marlin 1894 classic with the round barrel. I have put a full length magazine on this rifle. I also have a Winchester 1 of 500 reproduction and the wife has a Marline 1894 cowboy in 32-20 with the octagon barrel and full length mag. She prefers the 32-20 to the 38/357 because of the lighter recoil. I like the 32-20 over my 357 Marlin lever rifle because I feel the 32-20 is much more accurate. I also feel that John Taffin's load of 10 grains of 2400 behind the plain base 115 grain bullet provides enough knock down and penetration on anything I find in the Southeast Texas woods. I am also sure that I can load even faster gas checked 115 grain bullets in the 32-20 If I wanted to hunt varmints at 150 or more yards. My vote is for the 32-20 as the favorite lever gun at this house. (Don't even get me started on all the various 32 caliber pistols we own and shoot.)[smilie=l:

Taffins load?!!! Unless Taffin time traveled back to the 20's that's still Elmer Keiths load.

[excess650]

My 1894CL dates from the late 1980s when they were introduced. It has conventional rifling, but didn't shoot worth a hoot due to a restriction ahead of the chamber. After fire lapping it has never seen a jacketed or even GC boolit. It has a Redfield receiver sight (with target knobs) and the front sight appears to be a Marbles Sheard(not original). It weighs 6# 7oz.
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30493&stc=1&d=1300360877

My OLD 1894c dates to 1982 when I bought it new(pre-safety and microgroove). I added the sling swivel studs and Williams Foolproof receiver sight. It has had the stock cut (for my niece to hunt with) and pieced back together, and now has a green fiber optic front sight. I had been shot heavily with hot jacketed loads, but hasn't seen a jacketed again since I bought the Saeco #354 185gr GC mold. It weighs 6# 4oz and yes, that is sap wood.http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30495&stc=1&d=1300360877

I bought this 1894c a couple of years back from a friend who used it only for cowboy shoots with light, cast loads. It was made in 1990 so has the safety and microgroove. It also has a Williams Foolproof, but has the original, dovetailed front bead. By this time Marlin was shipping them with rubber buttpads, and this one weighs 6# 5oz.http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30496&stc=1&d=1300360877

This was the latest 1894c, (2010) and still made in North Haven Connecticut. It has conventional rifling, cut checkering, and rubber buttpad. It was NOT D&T for receiver sight or tang sight. Note that it still has a barrel band, but the front sight is mounted on a ramp with hood. It weighs 6# 4oz.http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30494&stc=1&d=1300360877

I MUCH prefer the Redfield receiver sight to the Williams Foolproof (target knobs or not!) or even the steel Lyman 66.http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30497&stc=1&d=1300360877

The Williams is a very good sight, but made of aluminum.http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=30498&stc=1&d=1300360877

[northmn]

The Williams 5-D has worked very well for me. Once sighted in it stays. It is not as good if one wants to do a lot of adjusting to accomdate various loads but very good for a rifle where one load is always used. Are your pictures of 357's or 32's?

DP

[excess650]

The first picture is a 1894CL in 32-20. The others are 1894c and 1894cs in 357mag.

[northmn]

I have been playing with my 32-20 and so far have seen pretty good accuracy with the little rifle. I have a 123 grain Lee bullet mold. It is a 30 cal and casts about 312. But shooting as cast with a moderate charge of 2400 at about 1500 fps and it seems to really shoot. Still have to play with it a bit. May cut it back in velocity slightly. Snows a little deep yet and the rest was not all that good to really talk about fine tunning. I thought maye there would be stabiliztion problems with that bullet but they made pretty clean holes. The factory loads chronographed at almost 1200 fps exactly. My 357 is behaving itself also. My first loads were not that hot according to the data but cranked out a 1700. I cut them back to 1550 as they were non gas checked. The RNFP Lee bullets do not even function well in the rifle but the 150 RN are very smooth. Been a lot of fun shooting them.

DP

[luigi's mongey]

Hi all,

I also run Winchester 92's in both 32.20 and 25.20 and I find them both a pleasure to shoot. My wife also has a Marlin 1894 in 357 that I also enjoy, but I recently weakened and picked up a Marlin 1894 in 32.20 for $250.00, and I am anxiously awaiting delivery and it will be off to the range for a thorough testing.

cheers

mongey

[northmn]

I felt lucky to even find a 32-20 at a new price for a Marlin and someone tells me gets one for $250. Welcome to the site. My knowledge of Tasmania is a little sketchy.

DP

[luigi's mongey]

northmn,

Mate, Tassie is that little island on the bottom side of Australia.

cheers

mongey

ps incidently I only paid $400 for the 92 in 32.20 octagonal barrel with half magazine and made in 1912, shoots like a dream.

[northmn]

I had a rough idea where it was located but don't know all that much about the island itself. Other than Tasmanian Devils, which I saw a tree hugger documentary on, I know little about the island or economy. I am also finding out you get very valuable rifles for a very low price. I see original Winchestors 92's going for close to $1,000 either way. I know if you go into Australia and hunt hard you might find a rabbit or two to shoot at.

DP

[Four Fingers of Death]

I felt lucky to even find a 32-20 at a new price for a MarlinThe only and someone tells me gets one for $250. Welcome to the site. My knowledge of Tasmania is a little sketchy.

DP

The only 32/20 Marlin I have seen was in a Noosa Firearms ad. It was used, but in mint condition and it went for $1350. I rang David about it, but he said he sold it over the phone, the day the magazine was published.

You used to be able to pick up old Win 92s for $300-450, but the shops see to have woken up to how much they are worth overseas and the prices are much higher. There is a guy on this site that collects them and apparently he gets on the phone to a lot of our gunshops every month.

The Winchesters are great, but for small game the addition of a scope is a big help. Thats why the Marlin was so dear. The second hand price for that 32/20 is about new price for a 357 1894 Marlin.

[northmn]

The only 32/20 Marlin I have seen was in a Noosa Firearms ad. It was used, but in mint condition and it went for $1350. I rang David about it, but he said he sold it over the phone, the day the magazine was published.

You used to be able to pick up old Win 92s for $300-450, but the shops see to have woken up to how much they are worth overseas and the prices are much higher. There is a guy on this site that collects them and apparently he gets on the phone to a lot of our gunshops every month.

The Winchesters are great, but for small game the addition of a scope is a big help. Thats why the Marlin was so dear. The second hand price for that 32/20 is about new price for a 357 1894 Marlin.

I am glad to hear that as I paid a new price for my 32-20. According to the sales people it would ahve jumped off the shelf had it been a 357, but none of the locals wanted a 32-30. It tantalized me for some time before I bought it but gave in because I knew I really woudl think about it as a should ahve for a long time. I let a Winchester half mag 25-35 go once because I let logic over rule desire. I still wish I would have bought the thing as it "spoke to me"

DP

[Four Fingers of Death]

The rifle probably didn't owe them much and a lot of shops (wisely) don't like to have rifles languishing for long periods, so are often disposed to a deal.

There used to be a gunshop in Syndey and I saw a rifle that had been on the shelves for a long time. I said 'what sort of a price can you offer me to take that off your shelves? It's been up there since Noah run aground!' Bob the American ex marine that worked there (he married an Aussie girl he met on R&R). He looked me in the eye and said 'Cash?' I said yep, the banks closed, but I will pay for it and pick it tomorrow afternoon.' He nodded and said 'what time do you knock off work at the prison?' I said 1430. He said as he perused the records, we paid $350 for it (showing me the entry) so add 10% for all the times I have dusted it's sorry ass, thats $385.' As he said that he pulled it off the shelf and placed it in the corner and said 'Knock off at 1430, 15 mins to get out the gate and into the car, 5 mins to the bank at Maroubra Junction. 20mins standing around, withdrawing the money and picking up a snack from the fish and chip shop next door, 20 miins to drive here, 15mins to find a parking spot, 5 mins to leg it up to the shop. That's a total of 80 mins which will place you on objective at 1550.' 'Allowing a little slop for being a groundpounder who ended up going to officer's school and than joined the dreaded tank corps and also being one who does not have the advantages that a Marine Corps background gives, I will build a bit of slop into it and expect you around 1615! The deal is completely off at 1630.' I smiled and answered 'briefing understood!' He then bid me goodbye and wandered off to serve another customer.

Next day, I bolted into the car and drove like a maniac trying to get a few minutes up my sleeve, got into the bank and by the time I exited the bank, looked for the fish and chip shop, it wasn't there as described. I shrugged and jogged to the car. As I was opening the door I caught the aroma of fried fish. I looked up and right beside a different bank was the shop. The smell was like a siren on the rocks, pulling me in. The shop was run by a Greek family and it was spotless and the whole family were working like people possessed coping with the crowds. I got in the queque, nerveselly (?Spelling?) checking my watch frequently, a few mintues later I was served by a charming young lady who handed the slip to a girl who looked like her little sister, she threw the note against the vent grill and within a minute one of the men grabbed it, read it and moved it to another position. In went my fish cocktails (battered pieces of fish) and small serve of chips. I comlpetely forgot about the time seeing this happy family working hard together. I got my order, raced to the car and drove like a madman to the city eating the fantastic, but scalding hot food on the way. Finally finding a park, I bolted to the shop. Bob checked his time and said Marine time plus three minutes, not bad for a turret head (Aussie sland for Tank Corps member). He popped the rifle on the counter and I noticed that it was already wrapped. He noticed my surprise and said 'Turret head or not I had faith in you.' I was strangely pleased. I don't think I ever went through Maroubra Junction without stopping for a feed at that fish and chip shop, whether I needed it or not!

[excess650]

I just picked up another Marlin 357.:holysheep This one is an odd variation with 16" ported barrel, the 1894CP. It has the safety, full length magazine, and forend with cap rather than barrel band. The stock is checkered and it already has a green fiber optic front sight and Williams 5D receiver sight. I didn't NEED another but the price was too low to walk away from. It seems that one of my shooting friends lost his a$$ at the casino over the weekend.:groner:

[northmn]

I can understand ported barrels, but in a 357? Its still sounds like a nice little rifle. May have to look at fiber optic front sights as the eyes get older.

DP

[excess650]

I suppose the ported barrel was a marketing ploy as much as anything else. It does make the report LOUDER, but so does the shorter barrel.

I generally use a gold bead front, but a green fiber optic shows up better in low light and doesn't fade out like red does. There was a time when I preferred a silver bead, but never a white one.

[Marine Sgt 2111]

I picked up a Marlin in .32-20 (CL) and it has been lust at first sight. Whether it's a RCBS 100gr SWC, 115gr SWCGC or the SAECO 118gr SWC the rifle shoots like a house afire. 10 grs of 2400, a Nikon 2-7x and I get 1 3/4" groups at 150 yds. That in itself spells head shots on deer to 100 yds. Low recoil and just plain fun to shoot.

[Four Fingers of Death]

The porting would work well with high pressure, high speed jacketed bullet loads, but would be of little or no use to us casters and just something else for us to clean.

[excess650]

The porting would work well with high pressure, high speed jacketed bullet loads, but would be of little or no use to us casters and just something else for us to clean.

My 357 loads generally have a 180gr+ GC boolit and a stiff dose of H110 behind them, so loaded to the same pressures as the factory stuff.:bigsmyl2: The previous owner was using 358429s over a stiff charge of 2400, and it still looks pretty clean.

Personally, I'm not going to worry about the ports being clean.[smilie=p:

[northmn]

I picked up a Marlin in .32-20 (CL) and it has been lust at first sight. Whether it's a RCBS 100gr SWC, 115gr SWCGC or the SAECO 118gr SWC the rifle shoots like a house afire. 10 grs of 2400, a Nikon 2-7x and I get 1 3/4" groups at 150 yds. That in itself spells head shots on deer to 100 yds. Low recoil and just plain fun to shoot.

I have been waiting to get my dies as the suppliers are out and they are on backorder. Kind of interesting about the heavier SAECO as my mold is at 120 grains. Wondering about the slightly heavier bullets. The loads I cobbled together using a couple of different loading dies seemed to shoot them OK with a similar 2400 load. I was getting over 1600 with the 2400 load.

DP

[lbaize3]

Been catching up on my posts today. Just read your post from last week:

My original post:
Originally Posted by lbaize3 View Post
I have a Marlin 1894 classic with the round barrel. I have put a full length magazine on this rifle. I also have a Winchester 1 of 500 reproduction and the wife has a Marline 1894 cowboy in 32-20 with the octagon barrel and full length mag. She prefers the 32-20 to the 38/357 because of the lighter recoil. I like the 32-20 over my 357 Marlin lever rifle because I feel the 32-20 is much more accurate. I also feel that John Taffin's load of 10 grains of 2400 behind the plain base 115 grain bullet provides enough knock down and penetration on anything I find in the Southeast Texas woods. I am also sure that I can load even faster gas checked 115 grain bullets in the 32-20 If I wanted to hunt varmints at 150 or more yards. My vote is for the 32-20 as the favorite lever gun at this house. (Don't even get me started on all the various 32 caliber pistols we own and shoot.)


Your response:
Taffins load?!!! Unless Taffin time traveled back to the 20's that's still Elmer Keiths load.

You have to realize that my mind is like an over filled hard drive. Not enough room to store new data without throwing out old data. I'm sure you are correct or you would not have posted... The only thing I can say is that my mind must have thrown out Keith's data and I remembered Taffin's data which was the last I read. :wink:

[northmn]

If you look at Ranch Dogs data you can see that the 32-20 can be loaded up very hot in a Marlin. One also has to decide what the rifle is to be used for. I do not have anything against loading up some of these cartridges, but I get to a point to where I will start using the 30-30 or the 300 Savage loaded down instead. The 10 grain load of 2400 gave me a little over 1600 on the chronograph which is not a bad load and would certainly roll a coyote. Its a matter of personal choice.

DP

[Ramslammer]

G'Day
I have marlin 1894CL's in both 25/20 and 32/20. The 32/20 is one of the best rifles I've owned and I've had a few overthe years. Mine likes 13grns of 4227 with a Federal Small Pistol primer and a 311316. Work up to this load!!!! At a shoot one day there were 5 CL's and we found none would give good accuracy with loads from the others, so mine is only a suggestion. My rifle produced a 10 shot group at 45 meters of 1.5 inches with peep sights. Never bothered to find another load.
One day I'm going to smack a deer in the head with it as I know a spot where they walk about 50m from good hide. Also a mate of mine has shot Camels with his and they are big varmits.
Juddy

[Ramslammer]

G'Day
Excess 650
BE AWARE the ports will shave lead off a cast boolit and spit it out the side!!! I cut the face of my Mate with my 44 version of your rifle. It was not just a scratch, opened him up like a razor. If it was a bit higher it could of been an eye. I intend to counterbore mine so only gas comes in contact with the ports.
Juddy

[rststeve]

go for the 32-20 well worth the mony IMO but I shoot a lot of 32 caliber hand guns :-)

[northmn]

Ramslammer. Do you use the same load for the buffalo?

DP