.32-20 Winchester
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| .32-20 Winchester | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Rifle / Handgun | |
| Place of origin |  United States |
|
| Production history | ||
| Designer | Winchester Repeating Arms Company | |
| Designed | 1882 | |
| Specifications | ||
| Case type | Rimmed, bottleneck | |
| Bullet diameter | .3125 in (7.94 mm) | |
| Neck diameter | .327 in (8.3 mm) | |
| Shoulder diameter | .342 in (8.7 mm) | |
| Base diameter | .354 in (9.0 mm) | |
| Rim diameter | .408 in (10.4 mm) | |
| Rim thickness | .065 in (1.7 mm) | |
| Case length | 1.315 in (33.4 mm) | |
| Overall length | 1.592 in (40.4 mm) | |
| Rifling twist | 20" | |
| Primer type | Small rifle | |
| Maximum CUP | 9000 CUP | |
| Ballistic performance | ||
| Bullet weight/type | Velocity | Energy |
| 85 gr (5.5 g) SP | 2,300 ft/s (700 m/s) | 999 ft·lbf (1,354 J) |
| 110 gr (7.1 g) SP | 2,100 ft/s (640 m/s) | 1,077 ft·lbf (1,460 J) |
| Source: "Cartridges of the World"[1] | ||
The .32-20 Winchester also known as the .32 WCF was the first small-game lever-action cartridge that Winchester produced.[2] It was initially introduced as a blackpowder cartridge in 1882 for small-game, varmint hunting, and deer.[3][4] Colt produced a single-action pistol chambered for this cartridge a few years later.[5]
Contents |
[edit] Performance
The .32-20 works well for a variety of small game. It also performs well, having a reputation for good accuracy, when used for handguns.[4][6] Although it is sometimes used for deer, it is really underpowered for such usage.[3] Because of its low power it destroys very little meat, making it a good hunting round for appropriate sized game out to about 100 yards (90 m).[6]
It is an easy and inexpensive cartridge to reload.[1] Energy and pressure levels for handloading are determined based on the strength of the firearm action to be used. Due to the fact that most firearms chambered for this cartridge are of older age, i.e. early model Winchester model 92 and 94 rifles as well as older Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers, factory ammunition usually has weaker ballistics than what can be achieved through handloading. Most factory ammunition exhibits ballistics of about 1,200 ft/s (370 m/s) and 325 ft·lbf (441 J) of energy at the muzzle with a 100-grain (6.5 g) bullet from an eighteen to twenty inch rifle barrel.
[edit] Child cartridges
The later .25-20 Winchester cartridge is simply a necked-down version of the .32-20.[2] In addition the .218 Bee was created using the .32-20 as it's parent cartridge.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Barnes, Frank C. [1965] (1997). in McPherson, M.L.: Cartridges of the World, 8th Edition, DBI Books, 64,91. ISBN -87349-178-5.
- ^ a b "Levergun loads: the .25-20 Winchester" by John Taffin, Guns Magazine, April 2004
- ^ a b ".32-20 Winchester (HV-92)" from Accurate Powder
- ^ a b "The .32-20 Winchester" by Chuck Hawks
- ^ "32-20 WINCHESTER CENTERFIRE 1882" by Paco Kelly at Leverguns.com
- ^ a b ".32-20 Winchester" at The Reload Bench
