25/20 or 32/20 ?

[mpbarry1]

have both, but the 25-20 is an unshootable heiloom. but i so love the 32-20. it was the original do everything small caliber, until the 22 rimfire. The 32-20 was the gun that won the west... after 1882 anyway...

[Jack Stanley]

Before the gun companies decided to make more 32-20 rifles I was considering having one made . Fortunately Bro.... ummmm .... uh ..... well , OK I'll say it , Browning provided a glorious rifle for use or just admiring . Just don't let some folks know or they might try ta trade ya a cuppa coffee fer it ............ even up !!! ( Sorry IM , I just couldn't resist !!)

I think Ballard rifle company in Michigan can make either caliber for ya though .

Jack

[ohiochuck]

I like both. Before you choose you might want to review both these sites for more detailed info.
Good Luck!
Jim
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/re...reloaders.html

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/re...reloaders.html

[Kansas Ed]

I also have both calibers. Honestly I would take the 25-20 with cast gas checked boolits. My logic goes something like this.

The 32-20 is really too big for pot luck game. Rabbits, squirrels, bull frogs etc. but it does an outstanding job on coons, possums, ground hogs, coyote and fox. I've even taken down a big Mule Deer doe with one shot through the chest at 70+ yards.

The 25-20 does all the above well except the deer, and works well on rabbit and squirrel to boot. I figure I have plenty of Deer rifles, so I find the 25-20 more realistically versatile.

Ed

[timspawn]

I like both. Before you choose you might want to review both these sites for more detailed info.
Good Luck!
Jim
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/re...reloaders.html

http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/re...reloaders.html

There is lots of info there. Thank you.

[TXGunNut]

Big fan of the 32-20, accidentally bought a Colt revolver chambered for the cartridge and have had a ball with it. So much fun I had to buy a Navy Arms SAA replica last weekend just because. Still looking for a Winchester 92 in 32-20 but am finding more nice 25-20's. I've heard the little Lee pill that works so well in a 32-20 makes an excellent plinker for the 30-30. It's true a 30-30 will do anything a 32-20 will do but IMHO the 32-20 does it in a more interesting package and with less powder.

[timspawn]

I've got Ruger #1 in30/30 and it's great but I wanted repeater that used less powder. I'd love a 300 BLK in a lever action.

[Bullshop Junior]

Ruger #1 30/30....you had my interest, but now, you have my attention.

[timspawn]

Ruger #1 30/30....you had my interest, but now, you have my attention.

It was a limited run of rifles sold by Lipsey's.

[Marine Sgt 2111]

I have a Marlin in .32-20 and for small game...hands down a great cartridge and yes you can take a deer with it.

[snaketail]

25-20 is a classic - great shooting little cartridge, but finding brass these days is a challenge.
32-20 would be my choice...brass, boolits and choice of firearms is better.
If components were equal I'd have to flip a coin, and hope that it came up 25-20.
I used to have a 32-20 T/C - a fast 125gr boolit will turn the light off on a deer. (But T/Cs are .308 and there are more bullet selections available.)
M

PS: Jack Stanley - OK, you don't like Browning...that just means more for the rest of us.

[fouronesix]

I have and shoot both lever 25-20s and 32-20s including a Colt SAA in 32-20. All originals. No way a 32-20 can be compared to a 30-30- two different critters all together.

In my experience, the 32-20 is much more cast bullet friendly than the 25-20.

[salvadore]

I had a late eighties early nineties Marlin 25/20 CL that shot like crappola no matter what loads I tried. I bought a 32/20 made in 2004 or so, not sure but it is a tack driver with cast or jacketed. Currently shooting a plain base 3118 type with 3.7 grs 231 for cheap, same as my 1931 Colt OP.

[northmn]

I have and shoot both lever 25-20s and 32-20s including a Colt SAA in 32-20. All originals. No way a 32-20 can be compared to a 30-30- two different critters all together.

In my experience, the 32-20 is much more cast bullet friendly than the 25-20.

The cast bullet friendly is my thing with my 32-20. I have used 2 different Lee molds for mine that work great. One is a 100 grain roundnose for a 32 revolver and the the other a 120 grain rn. Both work great. As to small game I have shot a few with the 32-20 and there is little waste. Use hard cast bullets. Most of the comments as to its advantages for larger varmints likely hold. Some claim the 25-20 may shoot a bit flatter but I have seen a variety of handlaods for the 32-20 and I doubt if one could really see much difference with open sights.
Either is a handloading proposition to get the most out of them.

DP

[MT Chambers]

What are the advantages of a .32-20 over a .30/30?

.30/30's are more affordable and brass is easy to get, You can load from mouse phart to deer loads with cast.

Just wondering....

Don Verna

The 32/20 is really a pistol cartridge and the .30/30 is a rifle cartridge, rifle actions are diff. sized and the smaller cart. is prolly better for plinking and youngsters.

[Jack Stanley]

Snaketail , don't get me wrong I like the little Browning so much I almost bought another one at the show just because it was there . Sorry about the last post the quick reply doesn't have the sarcasm icon to click on .

I can't help but wonder if the CZ 527 would take the 32-20 round ........................

Jack

[Canuck Bob]

I have a Winoku 92 in 32-20. It is great and I figure the cast bullets will be a little friendlier for my ham hands these days.

In reply to why not just a 30-30 I have a 32 Special 94 but the little 92 is just a dandy gun.

[mpbarry1]

I am hoping that winchester comes out with the new1873 in 32-20. drool..

[KirkD]

I have had both the 25-20 and 32-20. I just like the 32-20 better. It is my favourite small game cartridge and my favourite cartridge for teaching young people how to shoot. Almost no recoil and quiet.

[Char-Gar]

I have a Winchester 92 and Remington 25 both in 25-20 and like them very much. But were I the OP I would get a 32-20 for the reason he mentioned.