I just picked up a pre-64 Winchester 94 in 32 Winchester Special. According to the serial number, it's made between 1942 and 1947. Unfortunately, it has been drilled and scoped using a sidemount that holds a pretty nice Weaver K-series scope. Anybody have any experience shooting/hunting with 32 Winchester Special? I have read it's like a 30-30, but makes a bigger hole. I plan on hunting deer/hogs/woodchucks with this gun.
Winchester 94 in 32 Win Special
- Thread starter chooks9
- Start date
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It's a good round, SLIGHTLY better than a 30-30 in regular form. 6 of one, half dozen of another. Good for all the above mentioned except maybe woodchuck, like the 30-30 trajectory over 125 yards or so.
Do they make a leverrevolution round for it I dunno.
Do they make a leverrevolution round for it I dunno.
Thanks for the info. I guess it's a bit heavy for woodchucks
...I can continue to use a 22 for that. I have seen that Hornady makes the 32 Win Special in their LeverEvolution line, with a 165 Gr. FTX bullet. According to Hornady's website, their loading (2410FPS/2128 Ft/Lbs of ME) for the 32 Win Special is somewhat more powerful than a standard 170 Gr. 30-30 (2200FPS/1827Ft./Lbs of ME).
- Mar 8, 2013
- 6,993
A friend has one of those 94 Wins in 32 Win Special. I had not heard of it and did some research, and yes it is quite comparable to 30-30 ballistically, and was very popular in the day for dear out to 100 yards max. I have no personal experience but that's what all the research said. Why it fell out of favor I don't know other than perhaps fewer rifles where chambered in it. BTW, my 30-30 does perform much better with the leverevolution ammo. There are two different grain sizes available and both perform better than other ammo in it. I have not seen the leverevolution in 32 win special. I suspect its not a popular enough round?
airsporter
Active Member
I believe the 32 Win Special was originally designed several years after the 30-30 - to favor the black powder/lead bullet reloaders of the time (1901).
The Hornady offering certainly makes this a 200yd deer load. Just not sure its still in production.
http://www.hornady.com/store/32-Win-Special-165-gr-FTX-LEVERevolution/
The Hornady offering certainly makes this a 200yd deer load. Just not sure its still in production.
http://www.hornady.com/store/32-Win-Special-165-gr-FTX-LEVERevolution/
phidelta308
Active Member
I have my grandfather's Winchester 55 in .32 Win Special. Before the Hornady Leverevolution came out, ammo was just about impossible to find. Now it's just difficult. I took it to the range once and put a box and a half of ammo through it. It's not exactly a fun plinker.
One of these days I'd like to hunt with it. Feels like the proper thing to do since it was my grandfather's main hunting rifle.
One of these days I'd like to hunt with it. Feels like the proper thing to do since it was my grandfather's main hunting rifle.
rtmhunter
Ammo Hoarder
I have a model 94 wrangler in .32 win special and have killed quite a few whitetails with it. Hits a little harder than the 30-30 but very similar. Good deer hunting gun. Factory ammo is harder to find and way more expensive than 30-30. When I find some I usually buy it just to have. Have fun with it.
jimbobborg
Oddball caliber fan
It's a good time to start reloading if you are having a hard time finding ammo for it...
Rhino
Active Member
I have one in the same range of 1943-1948, it is a great gun for driving deer. Very light, easy to aim, packs a good punch (slightly more than a 30-30). I have never had a problem finding Remington ammo at Bass Pro, although not the cheapest. They just don't make guns like this anymore. 
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I have one in the same range of 1943-1948, it is a great gun for driving deer. Very light, easy to aim, packs a good punch (slightly more than a 30-30). I have never had a problem finding Remington ammo at Bass Pro, although not the cheapest. They just don't make guns like this anymore.
I agree with you...they don't make them like that anymore. Does yours have a 'BH' and 'M' stamp under the reciever? My rifle has a BH near the trigger and an M on the bottom back on the bottom tang.
I managed to find a box of Remington Core Lokt at Bass Pro. Thanks!
Rhino
Active Member
mine has an "FQ" and an "S"
lowoncash
Baned
.32 is a very nice round. A little heavy for woodchucks. Your date range puts it into the war production years which could give it some value but drilling for the scope takes value away. I think that .32 is manufactured in limited runs so buy it when you see it. I've never had too much trouble finding ammo. Just a note, .32 winchester special is different from .32WCF which is .32-20. I personally like the round very much.
