Thoughts on the 32-20 in a rifle?

[Flatlander]

Kinda pondering one for a truck gun. To bridge the gap between 22 and "big".

[Tx Gun Runner]

I love my 32-20 .... Super accurate , cheap to reload and flat shooter . You need a Lyman M-die and NO heavy crimps to keep from damaging brass .

[kaytod]

The marlin in 32-20 is a dandy gun. However, all the ones I've seen have had a very short throat. Read non-existent. If you want to shoot some LBT type designs they will need a bit of massaging by lengthening the throat.

120 grain LBT style hardcasts will easily run 2000 fps out of a 20 inch barrel.

[robl]

.357...

[dmize]

I have a Marlin in 32-20 that I bought to go with a Vaquero,I REALLY like it and all the other "dash" guns I have,but I would tend to agree with Rob,If your wanting a working truck gun I think Id go with a .357,seems like they are easier to find,easier to reload,and a really big selection on bullets and loaded ammunition.

[Flatlander]

I should maybe be more clear ... "a" truck gun ... one of several in the truck at any given time I have used the 357 lever a good bit and am sure I will again, just want something new, interesting, and fun to load for.

[brionic]

Mark, have you looked at the Browning 53? They are still somewhat affordable compared to their other repro lever actions from the same era.

[Flatlander]

Well, yes and no ... yes in that I have looked at them; no in that I forgot about them; but in any event, while I appreciate the design (as well as the 1886 and 71 Brownings) ... in the end, I can't stand'em because I can't take them apart and put them back together. Whether it needs it or not, I always wind up doing it, and it is enormously frustrating to be sitting at the kitchen table at 2 in the morning, the wife mad, the kids neglected, trying to get it all back together.

I am a MARLIN MAN.

[AxeHandle]

I bought one the last time they stopped making it...again. The plan was to shoot lever rifle silhouette matches with it. Ordered some Lyman sights and then got busy. Haven't even installed the sights much less fired it yet. Of course I traded for a Cowboy 32 at the same time and haven't fired it either. Maybe next year..

[dmize]

Jul 25, 2011 8:50:17 GMT -5 Flatlander said:

I should maybe be more clear ... "a" truck gun ... one of several in the truck at any given time I have used the 357 lever a good bit and am sure I will again, just want something new, interesting, and fun to load for.

Well if thats the case I think the 32-20 would be a splendind addition to your collection or "set".

[robl]

...Kinda like Cable he can do a decent gun show with his everyday truck guns...

By All means get a Marlin 32-20 lever gun. Axe has a couple he'll sell you for a song:-)

[Flatlander]

A man has to be prepared for anything. Rattlesnakes are ... well ... rattlesnakes and get killed with anything handy. Opossums carry EQUINE PROTOZOAL MYELOENCEPHALITIS and must be eliminated quickly and with extreme prejudice. Skunks need killing, preferably from a distance, and since they are 99% hair and 1% body, a rifle is good ... can't tell you how many skunks I have missed, though found a plug of hair. Coyotes are on the list, at ranges from 10-600 yards (if I miss, I keep shooting til I can't see them no more). Feral hogs are easy enough to kill, but down on the creek, something heavy duty makes you feel a little better. And that's just the "job" stuff. The "fun" stuff kills the tin cans.

So that is why there needs to be at least five guns in the truck at all times. I like my new Ford ... it has a rear seat that raised up and has a storage compartment underneath, full-length, freeing up space in the seat and floorboard.

But anyway - I like the notion of the 32-20. Seems like a nice little cartridge one can full length size with ease and delicacy on my Lee hand press.

[nframe]

You will be most pleased with a Marlin .32-20 Mark. I also have a Browning 53...actually 4 of them if you count my boys rifles. They are wonderful rifles, but unless you "tune" the extractor, they will throw the brass out of sight if you aggressively run the action...which is how I usually do it. My dad has a Model 65 Winchester .32-20 that I covet! Great cartridge and an exemplary game killer...especially for the handloader. I've killed two deer and several hogs with a Ruger BH .32-20

[2 Dogs]

Mark, I absolutely cannot disagree with Chuck. Henry has a 32-20 Marlin he has done great work with as well. However, I decided to stay with my Marlin Cowboy 357 magnum. For me it was more about having a bit more horsepower in the same size package. Mine is a hammer. Shot well right out of the box. BUT, unlike alot of people here I am a 357 magnum fan having done lots of work with the cartridge in the past. Its quite a killer.

[agrizz]

Jul 23, 2011 20:27:14 GMT -5 Flatlander said:

Kinda pondering one for a truck gun. To bridge the gap between 22 and "big".

Truck guns I have a 30-30 Winchester 94 truck gun for deer, 38-55 Winchester 94 truck gun for elk and a .375 Winchester 94 truck gun for Bear. A 32-20 Winchester 92 truck gun for coyotes and a 25-20 Winchester 92 truck gun for cats, 218 truck gun for a ditch gun on phesants and prairie dogs. Marlin Mountie .22 lr truck gun for rabbits. Buy the time I find the right gun for the game at hand the critter has escaped unharmed or died from old age.

Guess I need another truck gun to straighten out this problem. Possibly a 357.