I've had lots of 32-20 ...........309 or .310 barrels have lots of bullet choices . The .311 or .312 cut the choices in half . I was a bullet caster and 25 cal are like 22 a pain to cast and reload ammo too . The 32-20 are flat shooter and super accurate ... Sold these guns this month ...

 

Hi Bob, It is hard to tell you which one, I have a hard time making a choice when picking one to go hunting with. The 22mag is easy on the wallet as far as off the shelf ammunition. Flat shooting, accurate and fun. The 32-20 with 115gr bullet is a hard hitting small game load. Easy on the wallet if you reload and if you can find primers. Small rifle primers or Remington #6 1/2. I have had no luck with finding the Remington primers in almost 10 months. I can find, but limited Winchester small rifle primers. 32-20 in 100gr factory loads are readily available for me in Minnesota or Wisconsin. I prefer the handloads using A2400, but I'm still learning with the 32-20. I do not own a 25-20, but was close to getting one. I think the 25-20 is a very cool round, and great if used as you intended in you post. If all things on the rifles you are looking at were equal, I would lean toward the 32-20, but that is just me. I like hunting and the 32-20 covers a wider spread of options for me. But in reality the other two could do just as good of job. You may have to decide based on the condition of the rifle your looking at to see what one you fall for! It will just become an emotional decision once the love at first sight sets in. Good Luck!

David
D-hansen

 

I have ruled out the 22mag in favour of one of the old hyphens.

I was looking at a 1894 24" octagon in 25-20 the other day, but it had mismatched parts (rifle forestock, carbine butt) and the buttstock had a repair at the wrist making it overpriced IMO

I guess, like you say, which-ever presents itself first will be my new favourite

 

I have a Remington Model 25 in 25-20 and like it a lot. I let the same gun in 32-20 slip by about six months ago and I'm regretting it. I had to kill a coyote dragging a trap once with a 22MAG and it really isn't enough gun, glad your looking for something bigger. Which ever one you run across first will do you nicely. The 25-20 reloaders thread can help you out a lot.

 

Hi Bob--

I have both--an 1894 32-20 and a 94 25-20. You can't go wrong with either gun as far as I'm concerned. Since you reload--it's a moot point--you'll eventually own both anyway so take the first that comes along and speaks to you and keep an eye out for the second. After all---you have to have something to look forward to-----------------------------right ?

Steve

 

Well said . . . well said.

Both are great rounds. I'm currently having a hoot with a 25-20. It's only good for short ranges though . . . . video of family having fun with it here -

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/3...orum/32-40-38-55-375-other-great-non-standard-calibers/119136-wind-wanna-s.html

 

So well written Steve, now you have us all thinking we need one of each!

David
D-hansen

 

YOU DO----------------------------REALLY-----------------YOU DO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

 

you do----------------------------really-----------------you do !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

Stop!!!!

 

Short range ? 300 yds. ?----------OK !!!!!!!

Steve

 

Lol . . . all kidding aside, I've been pretty amazed with this little round. Here's my daughter thumping a water jug with it. I've never seen a .22 LR or a 22 Mag hit one like that.

 

Now that's special----25-20's are perfect for the young ones. If people would take the time to read the advertising slicks and periodicals listed in the Brophy Book about these mini- hyphens they would definitely very quickly admire the purpose and thought created when developing these calibers. I'm very impressed with the 25-20, 25-36, 32-20, 38-40 and 44-40 calibers-----everyone has there favorites but for me if I could only keep one it would definitely be the 25-20, what a sweet round.

Steve

 

Bob, Steve's right you're going to need both. I have a .25-20 in a Model '94, built in 1910, and a .32-20 in a nearly mint Model of 1889. If you go to the .25-20 Reloading thread it'll blow your mind. It just goes forever with fantastic data. The .25-20 historically fired an 86 grain bullet which at 1350 fps will dent quarter inch plate steel at 80 yards. It's reputed to be a good small game round and doesn't destroy much meat. Then there's the 65 grain gas checked bullet which comes out the muzzle at 1800 fps and with great authority for such a light bullet. Both are very accurate and I like A2400 and IMR 4227 for these . The .32-20 with the 100 grain bullet is fantastic and also very accurate. It buzzes along at about 1280 fps in my Model of 1889. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a small deer with it placing the bullet accurately but I'm more into the collecting and target shooting business. I can't say enough about both calibres and when you have both I'm sure you'll agree. It'll be worth the wait. I put tang sights on both rifles. I put a period Lyman (code 'E') on the .32-20 but I couldn't find another one yet (my other Code 'E' sight is on a .44-40) so I put a modern Marbles tang sight on the .25-20 and it's a good sight too. With windage adjustment.

 

I'll put in my plug for both calbers as well. I have an 1894 marlin in 25-20 and 1894 deluxe marlin in 32-20, and they are among my favorite rifles. The 32-20 is a little more versatile due to the variety of jacketed bullets available, and it hits a little harder on game. Although I dont recommend it as a deer rifle, I shot my first deer with one( in 1960 it was a little more accepted as a deer gun.) I guess if faced with a choice and both were available, I'd take the 32-20 first and keep looking for that 25-20 as my next acquisition.
Coincidently, I cast up about 400 lyman 311316gc bullets last night for my 32-20's and it was my best session in a long time. Good ,bright, filled out and only the first 2 bullets were discarded. These bullets with 10 Gr. of 2400 powder will shoot extremely well in every rifle and hand gun that I've ever had, and speer 100 gr jkt-hp with the same load is just as good. A load of 9.5 gr to 10.0 gr of 2400 powder will do the same with a lyman 257420gc cast bullet in all my 25-20 guns (92 wins,94 Marlins, 25 Rem, 23 sav ,TC contender).These 2 calibers make up the bulk of my shooting, and I'd hate to be without either one and with the right shot placement I feel pretty comfortable in the woods with them. Rocky Branch

 

U need both. Get one find other. The 25-20 reloading sticky in that forum is a great read and you will see them take squirrels to yotes. Post #67 has a reproduction of a John Wooters article about why he wanted a 25-20. This is hard to read but very well worth the read. It will sway you to the 25 & 32-20's instead of a .22 hornet or .22 mag. The biggest deer in the US was taken with a 25-20. Both these shells kill and do it with outdestroying meat. My rimfire books say the .22 mag. is too destructive on small game. I am glad I brought food to eat when I rabbit hunt with .22 mag. Nothing left on cottontails. Dinner has been served on a spit over campfire with the 25-20 and bunnys. Lots of the info on 25-20 applies to the 32-20. Small pistol primers and small rifle. Wind and wet dog here on MO has videos of 700 yd gonging with 32-20 and cast boolits. You have seen 300 yds with 25-20 on this thread. I was building a fence, back in the 80s, across a pond and it was below a beaver pond. A 90# beaver came over his dam and spanked the water with his tail three times as he kept getting closer. He dove and I did not see him until he surfaced right behind me and hissed showing his teeth. He was already in my safety zone so he slid next to the mashed potatoes thanks to a 32-20 colt hogleg and 115 gr. boolits. I used to take whittail deer with .22 mag and 32-20. Head shots to 125 yds. gets her done. Have fun and bangaway.

 

I've owned rifles in both calibers for a very long time. As loaded in factory trim (with blackpowder ballistics), there isn't a lot of difference between the two calibers in terms of downrange effectiveness. Both are FAR BETTER than either the 22 LR or 22 Win Mag. There are also revolvers available in 32-20, if you want to match up sideiron to saddle gun.

Both calibers can be significantly enhanced IN RIFLES well past their 19th Century performance envelope. Such loads should NEVER be used in most revolvers chambered in 32-20. Again, when enhanced both calibers come close to to a downrange "push" in terms of effectiveness.

Cost to operate.......reloaded with cast bullets, I can 3+ cartridges using gas-check bullets for the cost of one 17 HMR cartridge.

 

There is an older gent in my area tht mentioned that he found the 32-20 was a better killer on deer than the 25-20:biggrin: I mentioned to a person from Alaska that I considered the 25-20 kind of an orphan as it was too small for deer and too big for rabbits. He strongly disagreed and liked his for fur bearers like fox as it killed and did not mees them up. He also got a deer with it. I like my 32-20 and turned down a chance for a 25-20 as I felt the 32-20 was fine. I do not load it very hot and like it closer to original loadings but use a 120 grain bullet as that is what I had before I bought it. The biggest advantage I find for the 32-20 is that I can get molds from Lee for it at about 1/3 the cost of those from others and they work well. The 32 Long round nose tumble lube pistol bullet also works but I prefer the 120 as I can crimp it in a groove to prevent stove piping (the tumble lube bullet has not stove piped yet?) I mostly carry mine on the tractor and 4 wheeler when I go out in the woods and cut wood and other stuff. I had a Rossi 357 and sold it after I got the 32-20.

DEP

 

Steve - have you received your Gold Enabler badge yet?

thanks fellas, for all the good advice

As usual here on MO, when you ask which one to get, everyone tells you to get both....god, I love it here :biggrin:

FWIW, I was checking the regs in my area and there is restriction, small game is not to be shot with a caliber larger than .275....
...
...
...
...

yep, by now you have come up with at least 3 reasons why that is stupid, but it's in the books so there it is.

Since the gubment won't let me shoot small game with a 32-20, I think I'll go buy a 264 Win Mag....bureaucratic morons

 

I will have to keep that in mind if I want to shoot rabbits or such in your neck of the woods.I will leave my 32-20 at home and bring my .257 Weatherby mag with 120gr Partitions.:vollkommenauf:

 

bbri - I've got a shooting partner that wears pink earmuffs and hats too. I'm currently introducing her to my old marlins, (she likes the 38-55) and archery

enjoy, they grow up so fast, everyday I wonder where my little girl went

 

bbri - I've got a shooting partner that wears pink earmuffs and hats too. I'm currently introducing her to my old marlins, (she likes the 38-55) and archery

enjoy, they grow up so fast, everyday I wonder where my little girl went

So true, so true . . . oldest daughter is headed off to college in the fall. I've no idea where the time went, and I do CHERISH every moment I get . . .

 

Steve,

Those are couple of keepers. VERY nice.

 

AND----------

A Model 1894 in 38-40--------cuz ya just never know what might show up when yer' lookin'-------see-------I can't stop. :tee:

Steve

 

Mighty fine looking marlins there. I do like the long barrels too. What is nifty about them is they are shooters and not wall mounts. Even my spoiled rotten cat Fred would feel safe enough for a nap with anyone of them around. Have fun and bangaway.

 

I don't own one but load for one a 25/20 the rancher where I hunt has a 92 Win oct barrel 1906 model year and it is a sweat gun!
Max book loads with H110 or 296 and a 75 gr speer fp makes the .22 mag look like a toy it's that much better heck he has taken deer with my load granted shot off the back porch. I alway's wanted a 25/20 in a Marlin as a lever varmint gun so my vote goes with the 25/20 but loading with jacketed bullelts, for some reason I admit to this one I can't cast or get results with anything under .30 cal to shoot as good as a jacketed bullet. Must be my casting?
They are so tiny and hard to work with is my excuse lol.
25/20 a sweat little gun and a good 100yrd yote gun too! and with a 60gr bullet dare I say it's a hornet in a lever?

 

You have to be careful/aware with the brass on both. the mouth of the cases are thin and don't like being banged in the die. Other than that I've not had a problem with either getting them to shoot with lead or jacketed and with a wide range of velocities. I've got a load with the 32-20 for back yard varmits that all you hear is the hammer falling. Good fortune

 

so tell me this...I think this gun is a rifle that someone has replaced the butt with a carbine butt (and it's been repaired at the tang), am I right?

the bore is good, $600 seems a lot to me

 

If you go back to the post I made with a picture of my 25-20 in it it should give you something to compare this gun with. The bore on mine is like brand new--a big concern for me. Mine also came with a period correct Lyman Tang sight. I gave $700.00 for mine--but---the tang sight is worth a least $300.00 in todays market.

The stock fix wouldn't kill the deal for me if it was priced right and the rest of the gun, especially the bore, is in very good shape. It also appears from the picture that the rear sight elevator is missing, they are not easy to find either. Make him an offer you could live with--if he says no--no big deal. I'd go a high of $500.00--but that's me. Good luck what ever you decide.

Steve

 

Hard to see from an angle Bob but I'll bet that's the 'S' shaped butt plate rather than the carbine one. You're probably correct about the buttstock repair. That pin through through the wrist is fairly common. Personally I would spend up to $1000.00 for a nice specimen with a good bore but the buttstock repair puts me off. Maybe $450.00 and I would get another stock from 'Precision Gunstocks'. I can't see the sights very well in this picture. Looks like there's a fair amount of finish on the outside of the barrel. The bolt looks like it was blued which was an option. The 'good bore' is an attractive feature because a lot of these have sewer pipes. Do the mechanics work well? Hard to come by it seems, these days.

 

I can never seem to get this rifle vs carbine...crescent vs "S" butt thing straight

the S is different than a carbine butt?

 

I see the difference now

rifle cresent

rifle S

Carbine