light to medium pitted 32-20 bores vs. accuracy

Win 38-55

Win 38-55

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Gentlemen, I'm looking for the last levergun I'm planning to buy. It has to be a 32-20 and I've decided I'd like it in an original Winchester Model 1873. Bores, can be less than pristine in the '73's. I've got a fair amount of experience shooting out of pitted bores, including sewer pipes, and have found that with some playing around, I can get even sewer pipes to give decent groups at 100 yards. However, I have no experience with pitted smaller bores like the 32-20. I've found a nice '73 32-20, with fine pitting in the bore, with the occasional larger pit.

Question: For those of you with 32-20's that have light pitting in the bore with the occasional larger pit, or with bores that are even worse, how accurate is your rifle with the particular load and bullet you use.
 
Winchester Mdl 73 in 32-20

"This is the last lever action, I'm gonna buy", Yeah, I can remember saying that, a number of times, and here I am, at 72, waiting for a another one in the mail, good luck on that resolution? lemme know how you get on.
But back to the 32-20,I have 2 of them in 73's, one with what I think is a super barrel inside, and one with some pitting, ranginging from, light pitting at the chamber end, to a couple of deeper and more serious pitting about 7 to inches in from the muzzle, I had thought of relining it, but the good rifle shoots into a 2 to 3" circle at 75 metres, and the poor one, 4 to 5" at the same distance, I shoot a 120 grn Saeco cast over 4.4 grns Unique, loaded with 15 rounds, either is a good woods walking rifle, if a trifle weighty? regards Bully
 
Hey Kirk,

I can't provide any insight on the smaller calibers (32-20, 25-20), but that little 44-40 carbine I picked up has similar pitting, but she groups great. Not sure what kind of difference the smaller diameter makes, if any. Good to find out though, so hopefully some others here who have shot this cartridge alot can provide insight.
Glad to hear you may have found that 32-20 you've been looking for.
Matt
 
Winchester Mdl 73 in 32-20

The Saeco mould was originally g/c, but when I got the double cavity mould somewhere in the past it had been non g/ced, and I guess the originals where supposed to weigh 115 grn, but they come in at about 120 grn now, they chrono out of my 5.5", incredibly nasty prohibited 32-20 SAA's, at about 780 fps, I'm guessing from the rifle barrels about a 150 fps faster, as I haven't checked them as yet? Both the the 32-20, and it's little sister, the 25-20, are just about my favourite cartridges, long may they live. regards Bully
 
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