32/20 Advice wanted.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:34 pm

I have been looking for a rifle in 32/20 and they seem to be rarer than Hens Teeth over here in the "not so merry old England".
But I have just found out a dealer in Yorkshire is advertising brand new UBERTI 66s and 73s in 32/20. However they seem very expensive, the 66 carbine is Â£600 = $1179 and the 73 carbine is Â£695=$1365.

My question's are, will the toggle link action and brass receiver of the 66 stand up to anything hotter than factory loads? .
I intend to use the carbine for hunting and would prefer a Winchester 92, so how would a 1866 stack up for hunting foxes up to 150 yds.?

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:42 pm

game keeper, I have '92 32-20 rifle and it is just as swet a rifle and round as you could imagine. Is it possible for you to buy an old '92 from a dealer here and import it? That might be cheaper than a 'new '66 or '73.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:48 pm

Jerry, you may be right, I'll have to look out for a Winchester 92 over on your side of the pond!

45Jack · Post by **45Jack** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:05 pm

Can Marlins be purchased there?
I have a Marlin 1894 in .32-20 and it's really a nice little rifle, and plenty strong enough for reloads I've done.
Although my .32-20 reloads are hotter than factory, they are not in the "Pacosphere".

Jack

scr83jp · Post by **scr83jp** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 5:22 pm

game keeper wrote:Jerry, you may be right, I'll have to look out for a Winchester 92 over on your side of the pond!

I don't know if you can purchase weapons but here's a site with a selection of used guns www.williamsgunsight.com/gunsights/807usedshotguns.htm click rifles to see what they have for sale, www.gunsamerica.com www.gunbroker.com has several 32/20's and www.collectorsfirearms.com , www.cherrys.com are some sites to check on rifles .

junkbug · Post by **junkbug** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:36 pm

For what its worth, new replica 1873 Winchesters are being made in .357 Magnum. The action must have some factor of safety in it to handle a steady diet of that cartridge.

However, that is a controvertial topic. Some posters here have stated they would not shoot smokeless ammo (factory or reloads) out of ANY Winchester '73, vintage or modern. I do not know why they are so cautious, but they must have some reason. It would be interesting to hear more about it.

I can only imagine the brass framed Winchester '66 (replica) is even more controvertial.

Sean

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:16 am

For the time being I will have to rely on my .22 Magnum Winchester.

I would buy a Marlin 94CL if I could find one over here in good condition and affordable. I will continue looking for 92s but I'm not sure if I can chance buying one without seeing it first.

The thought of me taking to the woods with a replica Winchester 66 is daunting as some of the folks around here already call me "Jed Clampett"
because of my liking of Mule eared shotguns and muzzleloaders!

But, if any of you guys ever use a replica 66, regardless of calibre, for hunting I'd be obliged if you tell me how they fair. I know they can have loading gate problems etc.

Comal Forge · Post by **Comal Forge** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:27 am

IMHO, the 73 and 66 frames are a bit on the large side for a 32-20 and not quite as handy as the later designs. A 92 Win original (or clone) or a Marlin would better withstand regular shooting with hot handloads.

colo native · Post by **colo native** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:02 am

If a lever gun is what you want the above advice is quite good, with that said what about a 43 win bolt or marlin or such in pump?? lotsa gunz out their in 32cfw...

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:50 am

Comal Forge wrote:IMHO, the 73 and 66 frames are a bit on the large side for a 32-20 and not quite as handy as the later designs. A 92 Win original (or clone) or a Marlin would better withstand regular shooting with hot handloads.

I have a Winchester '73 in 32-20 that belonged to my Grandfather. It's a neat old rifle but it is on the heavy side for such a light round.

On the other hand I have three '92s in 32-20. I've knocked off a pile of wood chucks, racoons, skunks, strays, etc with them. Probably my favorite trail guns.

These are two of the .32s and my favorite leverguns.

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:13 pm

Game Keeper, would it be easier to buy one out of Canada,less restictions? Kirk might be able to find you a good honest shooter and you know his opinion can be trusted. He has a coule of shooter '92 32-20's now. Can you buy bullets for reloading ,are you restricted to typeof bullets? I really like the 85 grain Hornady XTP a great little hollow point.

Gun Smith · Post by **Gun Smith** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 12:55 pm

Over the years reams of stuff have been written about the strength of the Winchester 1873-76 actions with the toggle link. In firing, the cartridge "sticks" to the chamber wall for an instant. There is not the blowback pressure that one would imagine. Poor headspace is more important from a safety standpoint in that the toggle link system due to the possibility of rupturing a case. I believe it was Williamson that actually removed the locking lug off a M.94 to see what would happen to the bolt. Because of this "sticking" to the chamber walls, nothing occured. All factory ammo, unless marked or noted to use or not to use for a particular gun, is safe to fire in any gun it was originally chambered for. Ammo makers have always done this for safety reasons. If the ammo makers were worried about blowing up a M. 73 with their loading, you would never see any 25/20, 32/20, 38/40, or 44/40 ammo for sale. I know some say use only black powder in your old Winchesters. But in fact the pressure spike with black powder at ignition may be higher than some smokles loads. Current factory smokless loads do not exceed the original black powder loads. Consider this, these same calibers fit your antique Colt SAA's and they are MUCH weaker than any M. 73 in good condition. The caveat here is "for guns in good condition".
Modern cartridges are down loaded and reloading books are down loaded and gun writers riddle their articles with warnings. All this is due to the current trend to "sue everybody at all times" mentality. If you find an old reloading book from the 50's-60's, compare the load data with current books and see what I mean. And, yes, some modern powders for reloading may be formulated differently than their older formulas, but that's why we ALWAYS start reloading 10% less to start. That's the world we live in.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:40 pm

Gamekeeper, I was already planning to put my original Winchester Model 1892 32-20 (made in 1903) up for sale next week here in Canada (to scrape together some funds for an original Winchester Model 65 in 32-20). The history silently spoken in its appearance shows that it has earned its keep. On the other hand, it has never been refinished or reblued and has accounted for a lot of small game. It has added quite a few Woodchucks to its game tally while in my care. It will easily handle the original Winchester high velocity loads for the 92. I don't know whether you can import old Winchesters from Canada to the UK or what permits or fees are required, so that could be a factor. Should you be interested in this rifle, I would first send you lots of photos and a detailed description. Keep in mind this ain't no safe queen, it has worked for a living. I still have to figure out a price and will do so next week when I have a bit more time to check the Canadian market. Here's a photo of the old 105-year old classic:

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:17 pm

Red fox sporting guns had one. A Marlin for Â£375. Tel 01323 683077. There was one in a shop in Sheffield too but can not remember the name.
My local dealer has some brass IFRC, Trent Firearms. 01782 302937.
Nath.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:28 pm

Thanks guys for all your helpful advice and comments.

Kirk, I do like the look of that 92 and it was made in the same year as my Mom and Dad were born. I would be interested in the price of such a beauty. I will have to find out about importing a firearm from Canada to the UK and I also have to get the Police to OK it on my license.

This may take more time than you think, so if you get a good offer on it over there go for it.

Nath, thanks for the info. on Red Fox Sporting Guns, I may also need your advice if I start reloading as I don't reload at all.

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 5:44 pm

Kirk, thanks for getting on this. I thought about you today and your old one, thats why I wrote back to game keeper about it. I know he would dearly love it for fox.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:24 pm

Gamekeeper, find out what is involved just in case it is feasible. I'm leaving tomorrow for a few days, so won't have time to do anything about pics or info until next week. If you do decide you would like it, I would be happy to hold on to it for you while you took care of whatever import permit or registration you needed to do. That could take as long as a few months, but that's alright with me. I'll let send you details, photos, and a price next week. I don't think it will be quite as much as either of those two new ones you mentioned in your first post. As far as my end goes, I can simply ship it to you .... Canada requires no export permit and there are no fees from my end.

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:41 am

Don,t worry about reloading, it's a doddle and with Lee equip fairly cheap.
Nath.