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.

Lindcott Armory

Rifle · SAAMI

.32-20 Winchester

Also known as .32 WCF · 32-20

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

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VelocityBeing verified

EnergyBeing verified

Typical grains85 · 100 · 115 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1882
Type: Rifle
Origin: United States
Inventor: Winchester
Manufacturer: Winchester Repeating Arms
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

Introduced by Winchester Repeating Arms

Ballistics

Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .32-20 Winchester.

Performance

Best for Withheld until verified

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

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	7.94	0.313	✓
Neck ⌀	8.30	0.327	✓
Shoulder ⌀	8.70	0.343	✓
Shoulder angle	5.7°	—	✓
Base ⌀	8.98	0.354	✓
Rim ⌀	10.36	0.408	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.65	0.065	✓
Neck length	9.55	0.376	≈
Case length	33.40	1.315	✓
Overall length	40.44	1.592	✓

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

Verification

Being verified

Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.

Suitable powders

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

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

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

Powder $/lb Charge (gr) Bullet $/ea Primer $/ea Brass reuses Brass $/ea

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 SAA .32-20 Win 4.75-inchMarlin Model 1894 CL .32-20 Win 22-inchColt's Manufacturing Official Police .38 Special 4-inchColt Official Police .38 SplColt Police Positive Special .38 Special 4-inchRemington Remington Model 1895 .44-40 Win 22-inchColt Bisley Model .45 Long Colt

Lineage

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

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

Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .32-20 Winchester
Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
Standard SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 – 2015 (Centerfire Rifle) — Velocity & Pressure / Cartridge & Chamber Drawings · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Manufacturer Winchester Ammunition — Super-X Rifle — 44-40 Winchester 200 gr Power-Point (X4440) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Manufacturer Remington Ammunition — High Performance Rifle 32-20 Win 100 Grain (SKU 28410) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived
Manufacturer Black Hills Ammunition — Authentic Cowboy Action — .32-20 (115 gr FPL) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun archived

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 →