Got my 'new' vintage varmint rifle (photos)

Win 38-55

Win 38-55

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Well fellows, I've had a hankerin' for an original Winchester Model 65 Winchester for more than 13 years. When I saw this one in 32 WCF (32-20) come up for auction, I put in a bid and won it. Since money doesn't grow on trees, unlike what my kids think, I had to sell my original 1892 32-20 to help fund this new purchase. Men, she's a beauty. The serial number puts the date of this little rifle at probably 1941 or 1942. The Model 65 was the final variation of the Model 1892 action. It is very rare, with only a total of 5,717 made. The calibers were 25-20, 32-20 and 218 Bee. The 218 Bee is the most common and the 32-20 is the rarest, with only 1,277 ever made. In my opinion, the little Model 65 is described by 'light' and 'elegant'. When I lifted it out of its case two days ago, I was thrilled. It is a beauty and photos simply do not do it justice. The 32-20 cartridge is my favourite small game cartridge. Original loads put a 115 grain bullet out the barrel at 1,225 fps. Today's factory loads are slightly slower. Winchester also put out a High Velocity load for the Model 92, 53 and 65 that sent a 115 grain bullet out the barrel at 1,635 fps. I'll be developing my own loads using a 90 grain cast bullet (might be from a RCBS mould). I haven't had the time to take a nice desktop photo yet, and probably won't until the fall, but here are a couple snapshots I took today ...

Winchester Model 65, 32-20, made in the early 1940's
Full-Plain-Model-65.jpg


Down by the Alfalfa field where the Woodchucks hide
Model-65-trail.jpg
 
Win 38-55, your regular pictures are far better than our fancy ones!
The year your rifle was born, 1941, I was just leaving the backwoods, log schoolhouse to walk the two miles home. A school friend, who had quit school the year before, came along and walked the first mile with me. he had a rifle with him, a Winchester 25-20. It was spring and the snow had just gone.
I asked him what he was hunting for and he said deer. My young life had been drenched with hunting and shooting lore and experiences, and I knew a 25-20 was not a good deer rifle and also, spring was not a desirable time to shoot them. A few minutes later 2 does crossed the trail ahead and went into the bush. We went in after them and soon I spotted the two deer. I really didn't want to see him shoot at them, so I quickly turned the opposite direction and told him I got a glimpse of them over there, pointing the wrong direction!
The poor soul left this world without knowing I had done him in on his deer!
(By the way, do you need a deer hunting partner?)
 
H4831 said:
(By the way, do you need a deer hunting partner?)
Click to expand...
By gum, the best hunting partners have been around for a while and can tell interesting stories about way back. I'd say you are well qualified. I enjoyed that story about the deer on the way to school. I'd have to agree that the 25-20 would not be my first choice for deer. I've even noticed a difference between the 25-20 and the 32-20 on Groundhogs down in the alfalfa field. The 32-20 usually stops them right there. The smaller 25-20, however, zips right through them, but they still keep moving. Both are about the same bullet weight (the bullets I shoot) and the 25-20 is moving about 400 fps faster than the 32-20, but the 32-20 stops them cold. I think it must be the larger bullet diameter and the wider meplat on the 32-20 that is making the difference.
 
Win 38-55, that is one fine looking rifle! I am still a month away from getting my 32 WCF. My dies are backordered too so I cannot even make test loads.

Mine won't be quite as pretty as yours but it is unique. I doubt there are too many Bolt actions chambered this way from the earlt to mid 30s.

Do you have a load figured for it yet?

Congrats.
 
Excellent find! Those little 65's are very rare, and in my opinion they have wonderful lines!
 
Hey. That's nice!

And you just gave me the rundown on some 32 cal shells I have (qty 3), marked 32 W.H.V.M-92, too. Now I know! :)

Cheers
Trev
 
Kirk,

I'm glad to see that little beauty finally showed up for you. I know you've been wanting one for some time, and this one was well worth the wait. Congrats. And hey, now I'll have something to shot while you're putting a few rounds through my Model 53 44WCF!
That must look really nice next to your 53!

Matt
 
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