ASSRA Forum - 25-20 or 32-20

ASSRA Forum › General › General Discussion › 25-20 or 32-20

(Moderator Group: Moderator)

‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›

Page Index Toggle

Pages: 1

Normal Topic

25-20 or 32-20 (Read 8428 times)

merle Ex Member	25-20 or 32-20 Nov 16^th, 2009 at 10:38am	Print Post
	Yesterday I went to WANENMACHER'S ARMS SHOW which is the worlds largest gun show...about 4100 tables in 11 acres. I was trying to price a decent 25-20, either lever action WCF or a nice SS, perferable a SS. I noted that 25-20's were not as common as the 32-20's. I suppose this is because the 32-20 was also used in revolvers so one box of ammuntion would do for both. For knock down, I'm sure the 32-20 has it over the 25-20 but what about accuracy? Is one inherently more accurate then the other or are they about the same? I thought the 25-20 with BP would be cheap and fun to shoot. I suppose the 32-20 would be equally cheap and fun too. Thoughts and advise appreciated. Which would you choose? Merle


	IP Logged

waterman Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 3017 Location: Behind the Redwood Curtain Joined: Jun 9^th, 2004	Re: 25-20 or 32-20 Reply #1 - Nov 16^th, 2009 at 11:39am	Print Post
	If you intend to shoot black powder & lead bullets at targets or even tin cans, and if you reload & clean the rifle, try the 32-20. I have both & the 32 makes more trips to the range. I find the 25-20 to be an exercise in frustration with smokeless & lead bullets. I don't even consider it with black powder. With the 32-20, a bullet like the old Lyman 3118 (now 311008?) is all you need. The Hornady swaged bullets for the 32 H&R work well IF you keep velocity down to the levels used in old revolvers. Find a copy of Phil Sharpe's book "The Complete Guide to Handloading" and read about both in the section on rifle loads. Then, at a huge gun show, you might luck out and find a similar rifle chambered for the 38 Special revolver cartridge. That would be better than either the 25-20 or the 32-20.


	IP Logged

TucoTom Ex Member	Re: 25-20 or 32-20 Reply #2 - Nov 16^th, 2009 at 12:09pm	Print Post
	I have a Winchester 92' in 25-20 caliber w/ Lyman tang sight, gold bead front, 24" octagon barrel, 1907 vintage. This rifle shoots well, won a local pistol caliber Levergun Silhouette match with this rifle. In my area it seems the 32-20 is more scarce than the 25-20 caliber. Both rifles were economical to shoot, being employed for varmint control. My wifes side of the family settled in the Owyhee desert country of Idaho and it was the 25-20 they used daily. I don't believe you can go wrong with either caliber in the 92' Winchester, but remember many examples were well used and over the years scavanged for parts. I would say the 32-20 is the more desirable....?
	« Last Edit: Nov 16^th, 2009 at 3:11pm by »

	IP Logged

bnice Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 1987 Location: Iowa Joined: Nov 30^th, 2006	Re: 25-20 or 32-20 Reply #3 - Nov 16^th, 2009 at 4:45pm	Print Post
	I recommend checking brass prices as well. 25-20 SS is expensive and hard to come by good brass. 25-20 WCF is relatively easy compared to SS brass. I would guess 32-20 is also easy to come by but have not looked.


	IP Logged

38_Cal Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2257 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Joined: Apr 27^th, 2005	Re: 25-20 or 32-20 Reply #4 - Nov 16^th, 2009 at 5:49pm	Print Post
	Starline makes 32-20 brass, and it's much better quality than RemChester... David

	David Kaiser Montezuma, IA
	IP Logged

colo native Oldtimer Offline Posts: 760 Location: Barren Ridge, Va Joined: Dec 27^th, 2007	Re: 25-20 or 32-20 Reply #5 - Nov 17^th, 2009 at 1:40pm	Print Post
	I have both 25cfw and 32cfw in winchesters and marlins, both are aw hoot to shoot with lead or jackets, I dont cast but have places to get lead cast bullets. The marlins are the cl version and the winnies are old , before ww1


	IP Logged

marlinguy Frequent Elocutionist Offline Ballards may be weaker, but they sure are neater! Posts: 18270 Location: Oregon Joined: Feb 2^nd, 2009	Re: 25-20 or 32-20 Reply #6 - Nov 17^th, 2009 at 8:08pm	Print Post
	I'd take the .32-20WCF over the .25-20WCF every time! I've got both in Marlin repeaters, and singleshot rifles, and overall the .32-20 is always my favorite, and always inherently more accurate. I rarely go to the range to shoot anything that I don't take a .32-20 along of some variation. I've got a 1894 MArlin with special order 28" full octagon barrel in .32-20 that will outshoot many of my singleshots. I can't hardly find a .32-20 that I don't like, or can pass up!

	(You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)
	IP Logged

MI-shooter Moderator Offline Posts: 700 Location: SE Michigan Joined: Apr 18^th, 2004	Re: 25-20 or 32-20 Reply #7 - Nov 17^th, 2009 at 10:35pm	Print Post
	I have a Marlin 1894CL 32-20 and love it. Accurate and easy to feed. The Lyman 311008 bullet is THE 32-20 bullet IMHO. Speer now make a 115 GDHP that may be a winner. I am waiting for them to show up from Midway USA. Might be able to duplicate the old Hi-Vel load fo a dandy small game round. A good low wall would be a nice addition in 32-20. Ed


	IP Logged

RCRBanjo Full Member Offline Posts: 114 Joined: Nov 25^th, 2009	Re: 25-20 or 32-20 Reply #8 - Nov 30^th, 2009 at 7:44pm	Print Post
	I've collected the Winchester "short" calibers nearly 40 years with an emphasis on the .32-20. I agree with the above comments. I've used the .32-20 almost exclusively in Schuetzen match shooting. It is incredibly similar to the popular .32 Miller. The .32-20 is much more versatile as it can be hand loaded very close to .357 Mag specs, if the firearm can handle it. It comes in revolvers, whereas the .25-20 does not. Some of the best silhouette handgun scores have been shot with the .32-20. FWIW.


	IP Logged

John Boy Ex Member	Re: 25-20 or 32-20 Reply #9 - Nov 30^th, 2009 at 8:34pm	Print Post
	I have no complaints with a single shot 25-20 that I made with a TJ's liner ... (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links)


	IP Logged

Page Index Toggle

Pages: 1

‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›

« Board Index ‹ Board Top

Top

ASSRA Forum » Powered by YaBB 2.6.12!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2026. All Rights Reserved.

Valid XHTML

Valid CSS

Powered by Perl

Source Forge

Page completed in 1.3520 seconds.