Is The 32-20 as "Good" as the .357 For Deer Sized Animals?

[Blaine]

I don't think so, but I've gotten a good education from youse guys on the 32-20 lately....Been wondering if I should take 'er out for blacktail next year. A .357 is on my short list.

[jnyork]

The well-placed shot makes all these arguements moot.

[Terry Murbach]

PUT IT IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A SHARP KNIFE WITH YOU.
ONE OF THE SPENCER BOYS, I CANNOT REMEMBER NOW IF IT WAS DOC OR BUGS, USE TO TAKE HIS DEER EVERY YEAR WITH A WELL PLACED SHOT FROM A 22 RIFLE.

[gglass]

I posted this chart in another thread about the .357 Magnum and hunting.

This chart show the average muzzle velocity and muzzle energy of the original Winchester 1892 calibers (except the 218 Bee) and the modern calibers. You can see that at least on paper, the .357 Magnum and the .32-20 are very close in muzzle energy and that the .32-20 should shoot a little flatter.

[Hobie]

It isn't rocket science to drive a .357 158 gr. bullet 2000 fps from the rifle. That considerably turns the tables in favor of the .32-20. HOWEVER, remember that the .32-20 killed a LOT of deer with the old BP load. That 100 gr. lead bullet wasn't going 1800+ fps but more like 1300 fps.

I now consider the ability to legally access adjoining property to recover animals when I select the cartridge of the day. I don't think I'd choose a .32-20 in some circumstances. I would use it without qualms if it was all that was available.

[Don McDowell]

If you're reloading for the 32wcf , and you bring it up to its full potential its a dandy deer cartridge. But don't try it with the factory loads as they are all tamed down now to be safe in the more delicate handguns it was so prolificilly chambered in. Those will still work but the initial results may be a bit dismal.

[Sixgun]

As much as I like the 32-20, its a no-brainer between the .357 and the 32. If you insist on the 32-20, use a hard cast 115 grainer, going at least 1600, place you shot well, and it will be in your favor the deer will drop

When using hot loads in the 25-20 or 32-20, I have found in the past that its easy to get a head seperation in as little as two reloads, even with a rifle with perfect tolerences. Watch your full length sizer adjustments and use new brass for hunting. ------------------Sixgun

[Blaine]

My inclination is to trade the 32-20 for a .357, an 1894CB if possible...... But like I said, you guys have totally revised my idea of what a deer rifle needs to be.

[Hobie]

Francis Sell thought a .25-35 wildcat the Tomcat was the perfect rifle for those pesky Blacktail deer you have out there. I would think a HV .32-20 would do well on those deer.

[BenT]

My father in law's deer rifle is a M1 carbine . If you reload the 32-20 isn't much different balistically than a 30 carbine. The deer don't go far with a double lung shot according to my FIL. I want to shoot a deer with my 32-20 just to see how it works, but I don't see it being a go to gun for deer.

[PaulB]

Francis Sell thought a .25-35 wildcat the Tomcat was the perfect rifle for those pesky Blacktail deer you have out there. I would think a HV .32-20 would do well on those deer.

The problem west of the Cascades is not the ability to kill the smallish Blacktails, but being able to find them after you've killed them. The cover is extremely heavy and it is almost always drizzling, so it is better to have a caliber that really knocks them down and gives full penetration so you have a decent blood trail if they do run a bit. That's my opinion, for what it's worth.

[AJMD429]

The problem west of the Cascades is not the ability to kill the smallish Blacktails, but being able to find them after you've killed them. The cover is extremely heavy and it is almost always drizzling, so it is better to have a caliber that really knocks them down and gives full penetration so you have a decent blood trail if they do run a bit. That's my opinion, for what it's worth.

I would limit lower power cartridges to environments where you can track the deer. Other than that, any well-placed shot with any decent bullet able to produce a humane kill within a reasonable time frame should be ok.
(Defining 'decent' and 'reasonable' is a bit subjective, I know...)

If I am hunting in 'trackable' country in the morning, I'm more apt to use a low-powered gun, or take a longer shot, but if it is nearing dusk and in a thicket and raining, anything other than confidence that I can place a .44-plus caliber hole through the thorax and heart is going to make me wait until another day.

[Kansas Ed]

When I was younger I used to think that bullet expansion was the key to quick kills, but now that I'm grey, I realize that penetration is the #1 factor. I've posted before that I used the 32-20 on a large mule deer doe years ago, and she didn't go but about 25 yards or so, and penetration was complete. I believe that a good sturdy soft nose, or cast bullet in the 32 wcf is much more potent than the current crop of HP's offered. My opinion is totally based on penetration. I wouldn't hesitate to use this round inside 75 yards or so...and truthfully...most all of my shots are within this range. I'd sure use it before I used the 25-35 again with my current load

Somewhere I have a photo of me and my rifle...along with my 9 month pregnant wife..and our deer that we shot that year...both with 32's . Hers was a .32 Special...mine the 32-20. Guess I'll have to dig it out and scan it...

Ed

[L_Kilkenny]

Now I'm not saying the .32-20 won't kill deer. We all know better than that. But is it as good? No. Big difference.

LK

[Kansas Ed]

Now I'm not saying the .32-20 won't kill deer. We all know better than that. But is it as good? No. Big difference.

LK

Doesn't matter whether the through penetration is from a .32 Special or a .32-20 as long as it's through. The animal won't react differently as long as the bullet passes through. The only difference is when you step into the 06 and heavier rounds, and then you are using overkill and velocity to make up for poor shooting.

Ed

[L_Kilkenny]

Now I'm not saying the .32-20 won't kill deer. We all know better than that. But is it as good? No. Big difference.

LK

Doesn't matter whether the through penetration is from a .32 Special or a .32-20 as long as it's through. The animal won't react differently as long as the bullet passes through. The only difference is when you step into the 06 and heavier rounds, and then you are using overkill and velocity to make up for poor shooting.

Ed

Sorry Ed, I don't by that. First, if that was true, FMJ's would be just as effective on game as a good controled expansion round. They aren't. 2nd: It's possible to be under gunned, almost impossible to be over gunned. I'll garrentee that a .22LR will pentrate enough on a broad side doe to get to the heart or both lungs but no way would I recommend it for a deer round. Power and shock have it's effects. Big effects. Nothing makes up for a bigger wound channel even on good shots.

I'm anti-magnumitis as much or more than the next guy. I believe many hunters go to the feild over-gunned but I don't believe it saves bad shots. A gut shot deer is gonna run just as far if hit with a .32-20 or 12ga slug. Shot placement is first. But to say that a round that will penetrate a deer on a broadside shot using smaller hardcast lead is "as good" as a round with more velocity, heavier bullets and more energy that will fully pentrate a deer from any angle with expanding bullets is simply impossible. The question "was not" weather the .32-20 is good enough, the question was "is it as good". It's simply impossible. If that were the case we'd have no reason to hunt anything with anything more than a .223, including bear.

LK

[Kansas Ed]

This all boils down to the old "energy vs penetration" argument. No need to rehash the same old arguments again. I can agree to disagree with you, and I'm sure that we both have enough kills to back our own viewpoints. Have a great hunting season.

Ed

[rost495]

I dunno about what the 357 would do, all I can say is on the 3 deer and 1 javelina so far, none survived...
Shot placement whether I use a 22 or my 50 bmg is paramount... who would think a doe could run after a 50 bmg went through both lungs? Much less run 100 yards or so with NO blood traill....... my 32-20 deer have all went down in less distance than my 50 bmg ones....

Normally there is a blood trail too.

As to comments on PNW coast trailing, lots of folks bowhunt that, the only way you find deer/elk shot that way is by trailing. I do admit I get lazy if its open and I can see, I simply go look, but in any woods thick or thin, we trail to the deer, regardless of the shot unless its one of those rare bang flops. I haven't even had a bang flop with my 7x300 wtby other than head shots...

[L_Kilkenny]

This all boils down to the old "energy vs penetration" argument. No need to rehash the same old arguments again. I can agree to disagree with you, and I'm sure that we both have enough kills to back our own viewpoints. Have a great hunting season.

Ed

Back at ya Brother Ed! Deer Season starts this weekend! YA!

LK

[COSteve]

Deleted

[gglass]

Fixed... Now with rifle data only!