32/20

[bubba15301]

need loads for a marlin 1889 marlinin 32/20. would like to use it for deer this year

[coyotejoe]

Lots of people are going to tell you the 32/20 is too small for deer but I don't agree. You do have to place your shots but that's true with anything. I've taken a couple of does with the .30 M1 carbine using a handload of the Speer 110 grain JHP at about 1600 fps and got complete pass throughs with golf ball size exits, they didn't go 20 yards. You should be able to get similar ballistics but I don't have actual data.

[cwlongshot]

Well, I have to say I also agree the 32/20 is a bit "small"for Deer.  Having said that, and this applies to the majority of people with the same opinion too. The factory ballistics of the 32-20 are light for deer.
 The Marlin is quite capaple of increasing these ballistics. The 32-20 loadings are built to a pressure limit of 16K, The Marlin is built with modern steels and fully and conservitavely capaple of increasing those pressures to lo 20's in pressure.
Some years back Shooting Times Editor Rick Jamison did a nice write up using the Marlin and a Ruger NEW model both chambered in 32-20. These loads where able to get a 100XTP and 100g SPEER HP (disc) bullets to 2200 fps!! Now personally I feel this wile possible its use on a deer may not be so great as the bullets will likey over expand at such velocities. (I have this issue and can supply digital files if you would like.)
Recienty with the advent of the 327 Magnum, Speer now makes a 115G GD SP bullet that could be a perfect 32-20 bullet for higher velocities! I have loaded it and its accurate, but I have yet to test or shoot anything with it.
 
I have a couple 32-20's and two of them will handle these loadings. One is a Handi in a stubbed barrel from a 303 SMLE Enfield so its twist rate makes it a great candidate for heavier bullets like the 123g from the 7.62x39. These loadings shoot really well and may be just the ticket for shooting deer at close ranges. So far I have chronographed them to about 1800 fps, but powder cap is a limiting factor.
 
IMHO, iF your gonna do this, I suggest you shoot calm deer at close ranges with perfectly placed shots. Then work up a loading thats above normal 32-20 loadings but somewhat shy of these top loadings. Its an apealing idea for me as well...
 
CW

[cwlongshot]

My bad, the Speer Gold Dot is a HOLLOW POINT not a SP as I wrote in the post. 

I still feel it may be a good candidate, just may e not at top velocities.

CW

[hillbill]

the 32 can really surprise you with modern bullets in a modern gun. i only used mine with horn hollow points as a varmint gun but would not be afraid to go after deer under 75 yrds with jsp bullets. look at imr 4227 powder.it may not be the best burning powder for the job tho but it worked for me.

[hillbill]

idk if anyone has mentioned this, but the factory 32-20 loads are really bad for any kind of hunting.weak, very weak. the only way this cartridge is of any use is if yu handload it.factory loads are fine for plinking but my rifle did not shoot them well.and they are really expensive for what you get.

[cwlongshot]

Hill bill,
 Have you tried the 60g XTP or Gold Dot HP's?  Get them smoking along at 2400-2500fps and MAN o MAN they explode on vermin!!! 
 
CW

[hillbill]

Hill bill,
 Have you tried the 60g XTP or Gold Dot HP's?  Get them smoking along at 2400-2500fps and MAN o MAN they explode on vermin!!! 
 
CW

i did try 60,80 and 100 grn hornady hollow point bullets in handloads.and yes they will litterally rain varmint on you if your too close. i really miss my browning mod 53 in 32! but some dude offered me twice what i gave for it and i sold it.one of the 2 guns ive ever sold that i miss! and ive sold hundreds.

[Lloyd Smale]

I havent killed a ton of deer with the 3220 but have killed a few. My grandpa used it with factory ammo as an only deer rifle and he shot MANY deer with it and I dont remember him ever losing a single one. When i did it i used a 120 cast lfngc from lbt and 16 grains of 110. A warm load but my 92 has no problems with it.

[tobster]

AA1680 and Lil' Gun are  two of my favorites in the 32-20.

[cwlongshot]

AA1680 and Lil' Gun are  two of my favorites in the 32-20.

BOTH are good but don't overlook 4227 and 2400. Both have been around longer and still do a fine job of putting billets on target!!

CW

[bubba15301]

Well, I have to say I also agree the 32/20 is a bit "small"for Deer.  Having said that, and this applies to the majority of people with the same opinion too. The factory ballistics of the 32-20 are light for deer.
 The Marlin is quite capaple of increasing these ballistics. The 32-20 loadings are built to a pressure limit of 16K, The Marlin is built with modern steels and fully and conservitavely capaple of increasing those pressures to lo 20's in pressure.
Some years back Shooting Times Editor Rick Jamison did a nice write up using the Marlin and a Ruger NEW model both chambered in 32-20. These loads where able to get a 100XTP and 100g SPEER HP (disc) bullets to 2200 fps!! Now personally I feel this wile possible its use on a deer may not be so great as the bullets will likey over expand at such velocities. (I have this issue and can supply digital files if you would like.)
Recienty with the advent of the 327 Magnum, Speer now makes a 115G GD SP bullet that could be a perfect 32-20 bullet for higher velocities! I have loaded it and its accurate, but I have yet to test or shoot anything with it.
 
I have a couple 32-20's and two of them will handle these loadings. One is a Handi in a stubbed barrel from a 303 SMLE Enfield so its twist rate makes it a great candidate for heavier bullets like the 123g from the 7.62x39. These loadings shoot really well and may be just the ticket for shooting deer at close ranges. So far I have chronographed them to about 1800 fps, but powder cap is a limiting factor.
 
IMHO, iF your gonna do this, I suggest you shoot calm deer at close ranges with perfectly placed shots. Then work up a loading thats above normal 32-20 loadings but somewhat shy of these top loadings. Its an apealing idea for me as well...  
 
CW

i am shooting a 1889 marlin made in 1890 am going to use 120rnfp cast bullets

[bubba15301]

loaded 9 grains of 2400 and 120 grain cast rnfp( Missouri Bullet co ) shot very well, under 2 inches at 50 yards.

[Mikey]

bubba:  although I am not really in favor of smaller cartridges for whitetail, a properly placed bullet will kill them cleanly.  The 32-20, like the 38-40 and the 44-40 can surprise a lot of people from a 20" lever action barrel.  I checked my load data for the 32-20 in my old Lyman 43rd Edition and saw that full case charges of 4227 or 2400 under a 115 gn slug (same as for the now magical 327) will send that slug down a 20" tube at between 18 - 1900'/sec., which is adequate to t&t a whitetail chest out to 50 yds.  All you need to do is place the bullet properly.

[bubba15301]

bubba:  although I am not really in favor of smaller cartridges for whitetail, a properly placed bullet will kill them cleanly.  The 32-20, like the 38-40 and the 44-40 can surprise a lot of people from a 20" lever action barrel.  I checked my load data for the 32-20 in my old Lyman 43rd Edition and saw that full case charges of 4227 or 2400 under a 115 gn slug (same as for the now magical 327) will send that slug down a 20" tube at between 18 - 1900'/sec., which is adequate to t&t a whitetail chest out to 50 yds.  All you need to do is place the bullet properly.

idont want to load my rifle that hot .

[petemi]

I have two 32-20 rifles.  An 1894CL and a Handi the same as cwlongshot's above.  I'm shooting the 100 gr. .312 XTP at 2250 fps out of the Marlin and the Speer 123 gr. .310 Spitzer at 2100 fps out of the H&R.  I consider either to be adequate for close range deer, but I don't use them for that.  My shots here can be 300 yards or more, and they just can't cut the mustard.

Pete

[walkingwolf]

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/3220wcf.htm           Read this it should help.