By Anthony Mitchell (from the archives.)
This cartridge is a real old-timer, and was introduced by Winchester in 1882. It was initially referred to as the .32 Winchester Centrefire, to distinguish it from the various rim .32 rim fire cartridges then available. A popular cartridge, it became known as the 32/20, indicating a .32 calibre bullet propelled by 20 grains of black powder.
The photo shows a 32/20 Winchester alongside a 22LR cartridge for comparison.
Originally used in the Winchester Model 1873 lever-action rifle, it is more commonly found in the Winchester Model 1892. It was one of several dual use cartridges then available, able to be used in rifles and revolvers. This was fairly popular in the days of the Old West, as it meant that cowboys only had one lot of ammunition to carry around.
The transition was made to smokeless powder and included a variety of bullet types. A high speed loading was also offered, but has not been around for some time now. Factory ammunition is currently available from Remington and Winchester, and has a 100 grain flat- nosed lead bullet. Muzzle velocity is listed as 1210 feet per second, with muzzle energy of 325 foot pounds. This puts it into the same class as the 9mm Luger and .38 Special. Factory ammunition is loaded with a flat-nose bullet, as the cartridges are designed to be used safely in the tube magazine on the Winchester lever-action rifles.
The flat-nose bullet, coupled with the relatively low muzzle velocity, means that it is limited to relatively short ranges. If the rifle was zeroed at 50yards, the bullet would have dropped by a little over 6 inches at 100 yards, and 20 inches at 150 yards. This limits its practical range to 100 yards or so. Apparently at one stage, Winchester advertised it as being suitable for deer, but it’s really a small to medium game cartridge.
Compared with modern rifle cartridges, it is no powerhouse, and is sometimes quaintly described as semi-obsolete. It is no pipsqueak, however. Some time ago I tested some reloads. The projectiles were 100 grain jacketed soft points loaded to approx. 1200 feet per second.
At 20 yards they completely penetrated 1copy of the Brisbane White Pages, and went half way through the second. The photo on the left shows the projectiles after the event. (This was a few years ago, when the telephone book was a much more worthy opponent than it is today.)
When it’s all said and done, there are other cartridges that shoot harder and flatter, but the 32/20 still soldiers on. Due to the cost of factory ammunition, reloading is pretty much a necessity. Reloading components and reloading info are readily available, so there must be some demand for it.
Until next time, have a happy and safe shoot!
References: Cartridges of the World 13th Edition