My first year hunting with a Savage Model 23 in 32-20 was with mixed results. I settled on a Blue Dot load behind a Hornady 100gr XTP giving me around 14-1500 fps.
The bullet expands nicely but doesn't fully penetrate the deer. Deer were shot between 75 feet and around 50 yds. Neck shots will be the only shots taken and at 50 yds, I feel I need to hunt as an archer with the 32-20 and not a rifle hunter. It's great for too close to civilization hunting which is what I actually purchased the rifle for.
I ended taking two deer with this rifle, a third deer shot was collected by a neighboring hunter after I gave it a 30 yd lung shot.
Dan
