Finally a nice Single Shot Rifle in .32 cal

Jebus35745

Jebus35745

Member
Platinum User
Joined
Jun 23, 2004
Messages
7,111
Reaction score
8,145
Location
Independence, OH, USA
Been watching the internet for a single shot rifle in 32 something. Came close on a couple 310 Cadets but fell through. Checked the caliber 32-20 on a site and this Ruger NO1 came up, nice. Called him and we talked, didn’t need the scope. He offered a good price shipped and here it is. Would have preferred 32 Mag or 327 but this is OK. Love the style of the NO1’s and the wood is a bonus.

It’s been rebarreled. Bottom of the barrel is jseeley 04 so I looked him up. He is one of the top gunsmiths/engravers in New York. I emailed him and that is his signature. The rifle came out of Tennessee. Any had work done by him??

Will use low end loads at the 50ft indoor range on Tuesday mornings. Gonna shoot it off hand mainly. Have HBWC with 2.5 of 231 and 100 gr SWC with 3.3 of 231. Might crank it up some outdoors. Can’t wait, hope it is a tack driver. Larry
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0211.jpg
    IMG_0211.jpg
    82.1 KB · Views: 252
  • IMG_0210.jpg
    IMG_0210.jpg
    78 KB · Views: 219
  • IMG_0209.jpg
    IMG_0209.jpg
    66.1 KB · Views: 185
  • IMG_0208.jpg
    IMG_0208.jpg
    74.3 KB · Views: 175
Register to hide this ad
Nice! I have a Browning copy of the Winchester 53 in .32-20 and it's a fun little cartridge in a rifle. I love that generation of Redfield scopes, those just look proper on a wood and blue rifle and have decent glass for the time.
 
I have a Ruger No1 in 218 Bee, factory 26" barrel with iron sights. I have a 3-9x50 "Big Eye" Bushnell on it.

It is a great gun and very manageable for offhand shooting. I use the Lyman accuracy load for 50 gr Jacketed bullets using H 4227 and a Fed 205M primer and a long discontinued Nosler Solid Base 50 grain SP Boat tail. (I have since started using Remington 6 1/2 primers when developing such small rifle rounds.)

One day at the club I let a fellow life member shoot a 5 shot string, he had a nice group that was one hole compared to my 1/4" (both from a rest.) But all he did was complain about how bad the trigger was! So, I got even instead of mad! I shot a group of .55" wide by .107 tall offhand. Not a word, he just packed up and left!

I would love to find a No1, Low wall, or Rolling Block in 32-20, kind of a grail "Barn Yard Rifle"!

Ivan
 
Joe does excellent work.
I run into him usually at the Syracuse show where he's usually set up.
He's in Campbell, NY, in the Southern Tier near Elmira.
He was with C.Sharps Arms in Montana (Big Timber?)for a time (about 10yrs ?) in the early 2000's before coming back to NY to set up shop.
 
Thanks for all the comments, can’t wait to shoot it Tuesday morning. Glad the barrel was done by a big name gunsmith.

Have to admit I have a 32 addiction with 3 custom revolvers by Andy Horvath. A Manurhin MR73 in 32 long and an 8 3/4” MGM barrel in 32 long for the Contender. The NO1 fits right in with some of the custom guns being that it’s rebarreled. In the group picture is a pre-war M&P target made into a .32 long target, love the long action and the accuracy it obtains. Larry
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1593.jpg
    IMG_1593.jpg
    73 KB · Views: 28
  • IMG_1596.jpg
    IMG_1596.jpg
    62.4 KB · Views: 21
  • IMG_1595.jpg
    IMG_1595.jpg
    82.3 KB · Views: 21
Playing around last night and the rate of twist is 1-20” and the diameter of a slug I pounded through the bore is .310. Guess the rate of twist was from the early 32-20 guns especially with black powder. Larry
 
Cimarron arms make a single shot in 32-20 and I found one while in Seattle last year. It has globe front sight and peep rear sight. I found outdoor range south of of Olympia and had a hoot!! The other shooters were my spotters as I shot the 100 yard target.
Each shot was a dollars going down the barrel, but everyone tried it and really enjoyed themselves
 
That's a real nice looking rifle for sure. I never knew or expected a .32 cal. rifle, except I've seen Henry in .327 Fed Mag. which would be practical if one is looking for a .32 rifle, IMO, because of the variety of cartridges. Someone really took care of your new rifle. Nice.
 
Did OK Tuesday morning with the 100 gr SWC & 3.2 of 231. Had a nice big ragged group with 10 shots. Gonna try it at 25 yards at Range USA Monday morning. The 2 loads with HBWC did OK, gonna play with the SWC load some. Larry
 
  • Like
Reactions: dwh
Larry,

It was good to see you Wednesday! Sorry I was too busy to gab. I would have enjoyed it. Now, I see why you need brass. Next you need a S&W revolver to go with it!

Kevin
 
I have an old Marlin 1894 from early 1900s in 32/20. It isn’t a cream puff, dark bore but it became a keeper because it outshoots every 92 & 53 Win that has passed through my hands. I had new Marlin 94 and was very disappointed in it. Don’t know about the #1. I can say all the older 32/20 and 25/20 rifles I have owned do much better with cast bullet sized to individual gun. No good results from any with jacketed bullets. In fact I have bought rifles because owner claimed they wouldn’t shoot.
I have seen the trend on 32/20 rebarrel is to use .308” barrels for wider selection of factory bullets. Might do something with light spitzer type bullet that isn’t possible in lever gun.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0327.jpg
    IMG_0327.jpg
    86 KB · Views: 8
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Jebus35745
Show Us Pics of Your Single Shot Rifles
3 4 5
Replies
91
Views
5K
mm93
mm93
kstaines
Need info on a .32-20 Spanish S&W clone
2
Replies
34
Views
2K
DAMDAN
D
Jebus35745
  • Locked
Withdraw Single Shot Rifle in .32
Replies
1
Views
424
Jebus35745
Jebus35745
chief38
THE BEST 22LR RIFLE I HAVE EVER SHOT IN MY LIFE!
2 3 4
Replies
74
Views
10K
AJ
AJ
dwh
Savage Sporter 32-20
Replies
18
Views
1K
Drm50
D

Latest posts

Back
Top