.32-20 ammo

[Muley Gil]

Over the years, numerous posters have asked about what ammo is safe in .32-20 revolvers. I was digging through some ammo and came across this box of Remington .32-20. Note that it is labeled Express Rifle. However, on one of the side panels, it states these cartridges are for arms chambered for the cartridge. Shown is a round loaded with a lead bullet. Remington also loaded this cartridge with a jacketed soft point bullet. Both are safe in good quality, good condition revolvers. Winchester loaded their revolver safe .32-20s with a copper washed lead bullet.

Also shown is a picture of a .32-20 High Velocity cartridge, loaded with a 80 grain jacketed hollow point bullet. This is a RIFLE ONLY round, intended for the Winchester Model 92 and Marlin Model 1894 lever actions and not for the older, weaker Winchester Model 1873. Photo courtesy of alk3844.

 

[gonzogeezer]

I think the Savage 23 was also chambered for .32-20. I have one in .25-20, which I believe uses the same cartridge.

 

[glowe]

Remington still labels their 32-20 as express rifle, but understand it is a lead load perfectly safe for revolvers. Rifle velocity is stated as being 1210 fps and certainly much less in a revolver. MidwayUSA sells them for $87.00 a box of 50. Of course they are out of stock with no backorder.

 

[JP@AK]

I have one in .25-20, which I believe uses the same cartridge.

It does not use the same "cartridge." The caliber of the bullet is different (.32 v. .25).

I'm sure what you mean is the .25-20 is based on the .32-20 cartridge case. That is true. So is the .218 Bee.

 

[Johnnu2]

How 'bout these:

 

[delcrossv]

I don't think there've been any rifle velocity 32-20 made in the past several decades. That ship sailed long ago.

 

[Muley Gil]

Those Western soft points are safe in revolvers.

 

[weatherby]

Muley IIRC that rifle round is 80 grains ?
The package lists it as OPE= open point expanding.

 

[Muley Gil]

Muley IIRC that rifle round is 80 grains ?
The package lists it as OPE= open point expanding.

You are correct. I must of had a CRS moment.

 

[glowe]

How 'bout these:

That box appears to be jacketed with expanding lead nose bullets as the box is labeled, "Soft Point" . . . but if the ammo in the box is not jacketed, maybe it is from a different era?? I have an earlier 32-20 Winchester box with the same 115g "Soft Point" that are jacketed. If so, I would not shoot them in a hundred year-old revolver just in case.

 

[Johnnu2]

I just went and checked that box of ammo in my picture. You are correct, they are JACKETED, soft points. I only fired one round from that box just to see what it 'felt' like. I shot it in a custom Ruger with a HUGE cylinder. I can tell you that it was significantly 'hotter' than any of my handloaded rounds. It is the only time I fired a .32-30 'factory' round. Here are 2 pics of the monster I used:

 

[Muley Gil]

Well, if you note on the side of the box it states "Adapted to all standard arms chambered for this cartridge". That includes revolvers.

My first .32-20 revolver was a pre WW I S&W and I shot those jacketed soft points through them when I could find them on the shelf. This was in the 1970s and '80s, so yes, the guns are older now and I wouldn't be surprised that if the factories are loading them lighter. We all know that .38 special +P is milder now than when it first appeared in gunshops. Liability ya know.

Johnnu2, I imagine that round was a lot louder than your handloads also. .32-20 revolvers were known for their loud "crack", compared to a .38 special. They were also known to shoot flatter as well, with less bullet drop at extended range.

 

[Johnnu2]

It's been awhile since I tried that factory round; I really can't remember the loudness however, I distinctly remember the sharp recoil it generated. I'm guessing here, but I would expect that it was about as loud as a .30Carbine round out of my Ruger Blackhawk. LOUD!!
J.

 

[s&wchad]

All the .32 WCF ammo (.32-20) I've seen in this thread are safe for handguns. I can't speak for specialty manufacturers like Buffalo Bore, but mainstream manufacturers haven't produced "rifle only" ammo in at least 80 years.

Here's an old box of Remington that was strictly for rifles. These are probably closer to 100 years old. They didn't leave any doubt about the intended use.

 

[Johnnu2]

GREAT PICS of GREAT OLD BOXES..... FABULOUS

J.

 

[s&wchad]

The wording on this box is a bit more ambiguous, but they are safe in modern handguns. I probably wouldn't shoot them in a black powder Colt SAA, but they would be OK in a Colt or S&W handgun intended for smokeless powder. Note that the side panels state, "... and other guns".

 

[weatherby]

And then there are these.....

I'd certainly call them rifle rounds.
Packed in a "20" round box.

Important "not for revolvers"

A rather pedestrian 1480 fps for a 115 jacketed bullet.

 

[Drm50]

I have a old box of 32/20 that says for rifles only. I have a box of Remington in old Green/ Red Kleenbore box, jacketed with hollow point. Most of factory ammo I have in Winchester Super X in yellow boxes from 60s, lubaloy bullets. I don't think I've ever bought a new box of shells for 32/20. Picked them up on deals or with a gun. Had several guys that gave me their empties. I got couple molds and cast my own bullets. I've found that both the old rifles and revolvers like cast. Some are downright worthless with jackets.

 

[s&wchad]

I had a Colt Official Police that was chambered in .32-20. It was in fabulous condition, except for some serious erosion on the front of the cylinder, that radiated out from each chamber. Every time I looked at the gun, I focused on the erosion. Ended up selling it...

I can only assume that the damage was caused by shooting rifle cartridges. The Official Police is a strong revolver and it held together, but the flash gap allowed the high pressure gasses to take a toll.

 

[metrotps]

There is a fellow on one of the local forums that has 2 boxes of Winchester Super-X 100 grain lead for $55 each. If anybody needs some I could contact him. Not sure if he would ship them. Photo is from his ad.