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Rifle · SAAMI

.32-20 Winchester

.32 WCF32-20

The original dual-purpose cartridge — chambered in both revolvers and rifles so cowboys needed only one type of ammunition..

Caliber
0.3126″ · 7.94 mm
Introduced
1882
Case
Rimmed
Primary use
Small Game, Cowboy Action
Status
Active
Velocity1,200–1,460 fps
Energy320–545 ft·lb
Typical grains85 · 100 · 115 gr
Identity
Introduced
1882
Type
Rifle
Origin
United States
Inventor
Winchester
Manufacturer
Winchester
Standard
SAAMI
Status
Active
Availability
Common
Build
Case capacity
17 gr H₂O
Twist (typical)
1:20
Primer
Small Rifle
Case type
Rimmed
Pressure & range
Max pressure
16,000 psi
Eff. range
150 yd
Max range
400 yd
Recoil
8–12 ft·lb
Subsonic
Capable

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Winchester Cowboy Action 100 gr, 1,210 fps, BC 0.190 G1 · 25 yd zero.

overlay up to 2
RangeVelocityEnergyDrop (in)Drop (MOA)
0 yd1210325-0.9″—
25 yd11602990.0″0.1
50 yd1114276-0.7″-1.3
75 yd1074256-3.1″-4.0
100 yd1039240-7.5″-7.1
125 yd1008226-13.8″-10.6
150 yd981214-22.3″-14.2
175 yd957203-33.1″-18.1
200 yd935194-46.2″-22.0

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady LEVERevolution85 gr · FTX · 1,400 fpsBuy now →
Best for TargetWinchester Cowboy Action100 gr · LFP · 1,210 fps · BC 0.190 G1Buy now →

Buy links open .32-20 Winchester ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · verified
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀7.940.313✓
Neck ⌀8.300.327✓
Shoulder ⌀8.700.343✓
Shoulder angle5.7°—✓
Base ⌀8.980.354✓
Rim ⌀10.360.408✓
Belt ⌀n/a
Rim thickness1.650.065✓
Neck length9.550.376≈
Case length33.401.315✓
Overall length40.441.592✓

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .32-20 Winchester is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 18 active loads across 9 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 21 →.

BrandLoadGrainBulletFPSft·lbBC
WinchesterCowboy Action100LFP1,2103250.190 G1
HornadyLEVERevolution85FTX1,400370—
WinchesterSuper-X100Lead1,210325—
FederalClassic100Lead HP1,210325—
FiocchiShooting Dynamics100LRN1,210325—
RemingtonStandard100LRN1,210325—
RemingtonCore-Lokt SP100Core-Lokt SP1,210325—
RemingtonCore-Lokt100LSP1,210325—
WinchesterSuper-X JHP100JHP1,210325—
Sellier & BellotSP100SP1,210325—
FiocchiStandard100LRN1,210325—
PPUFP100FP1,210325—
Sellier & BellotLFN100LFN900180—
Black HillsCowboy RNFP115RNFP800163—
HornadyCowboy115LRN800163—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

5 reloading powders listed for .32-20 Winchester, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

No. 2Bull's-EyeUniversalHP-38HS-6
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .32-20 Winchester

12 models in the database chamber .32-20 Winchester. Browse all →

Uberti 1885 Low WallA. Uberti Uberti 1873 Cattleman .32-20 Win 4.75-inchCimarron Firearms Cimarron Frontier .45 Colt 4.75-inchUberti Cattleman 45 Colt 4.75-inchColt Single Action Army .32-20 Win 4.75-inchColt's Manufacturing SAA .32-20 Win 4.75-inchColt Single Action Army .45 Long ColtColt SAA Single Action Army 45 ColtColt SAA .32-20 Win 4.75-inchColt Single Action Army .44-40 WinMarlin Model 1894 CL .32-20 Win 22-inchColt's Manufacturing Official Police .38 Special 4-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent
Root — no documented parent
Direct descendants (1 · 2 total)
.25-20 Winchester
Family TreeOpen .32-20 Winchester in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads21 factory loads for .32-20 Winchester↗Reloading5 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .32-20 Winchester↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Winchester introduced it in 1882 for the Model 1873 rifle. The same cartridge worked in Colt Single Action Army revolvers, creating the first true rifle-revolver cartridge combination. Extremely popular through the frontier era.

FAQs

What twist rate does .32-20 Winchester use?
.32-20 Winchester typically uses a 1:20 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .32-20 Winchester?
.32-20 Winchester uses a 0.3126″ (7.94 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .32-20 Winchester still in production?
.32-20 Winchester is active; typical availability is common.
What is .32-20 Winchester used for?
.32-20 Winchester is primarily used for small game, cowboy action.
What are the best powders for .32-20 Winchester?
Reloading powders commonly listed for .32-20 Winchester include No. 2, Bull's-Eye, Universal, HP-38, among 5 suitable options.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 18 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →