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Model 1873

pruss
I'm considering the purchase of a Winchester Model 1873 and have a couple questions. On the top of the barrel the marking is .32 Cal. I've seen .32 WCF but not .32 Cal. I'm fairly certain that .32 WCF is 32-20 but would like to confirm the .32 Cal. Could it be 32-40? If so, how would that caliber effect the value of the rifle? Thanks,
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • pruss
    Can anyone recommend a cartridge for a Winchester model 1873 .32 cal. Mfg. in 1888
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  • perry shooter
    32-20 is the cartridge it was originally chambered in they also were originally BLACK POWDER but I believe I am correct in the fact that todays ammo is OK they used to make Hi Velocity and that may be more then that old boy should use Bert H and others will be along to verify.
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  • Bert H.
    perry shooter has it correct... all of the modern factory manufactured 32-20 ammo is safe to shoot in your old Model 1873 as long as it is in shooting condition. The 32-20 is an anemic cartridge compared to most, but is a suprisingly accurate cartridge.
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  • pruss
    Thanks for the help. This is an awesome gun and I can't wait to shoot it.
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  • ruger41
    This is a great topic and it brings up a question i've had for a long time. Since the guns made before 1894 were using ammo loaded with black powder how dangerous is it to use ammo loaded with smokeless powder? I always thought the pressure levels were so different? Is the smokeless modern load, loaded to the same velocity and energy level as the old blackpowder load or is the smokeless load even less?
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  • kms1961
    shooting winchester 100 gr factory loads out of my 1873 no promblems at all
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by ruger41
    This is a great topic and it brings up a question i've had for a long time. Since the guns made before 1894 were using ammo loaded with black powder how dangerous is it to use ammo loaded with smokeless powder? I always thought the pressure levels were so different? Is the smokeless modern load, loaded to the same velocity and energy level as the old blackpowder load or is the smokeless load even less?



    Because of legal liability considerations, the big ammo companies lawyer proof their loads that can be fired in original 19th Century black powder firearms. Although loaded with smokeless, the pressure levels are similar to the original black powder cartridges.

    A very small number of custom reloaders specialize in hotter high velocity loads, that can be chambered in the old timers. You want to stay away from those.
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  • ruger41
    thanks for the info! I have a friend who owns a '73 in .32wcf and I was not sure if it would have been ok for him to shoot anything but custom made blackpowder ammo in it since his rifle was made prior to 1894.
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  • Bert H.
    There are few exceptions to what rufe-snow stated, but for the most part, he is correct. One exception that immediately comes to mind is the modern factory loaded 45-70 300-grain jacketed ammo. You do not want to shoot it in any of the old original Springfield Trapdoors, or in any of the old lever-action rifles. The only old rifle that can safely handle it is a Winchester Model 1885 high-wall.
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  • CapnMidnight
    Bert,
    I've also been told it's not a good idea to shoot modern 30-06 in my old 95, I've always loaded pretty mild stuff for it. What do you think?
    W.D.
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by CapnMidnight
    Bert,
    I've also been told it's not a good idea to shoot modern 30-06 in my old 95, I've always loaded pretty mild stuff for it. What do you think?
    W.D.


    Factory loaded ammo should not be a problem in an original Model 1895 as long as the headspace is correct. Hot handloads will cause damage though.
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