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I killed a deer this past weekend with my 25-20 in the doe season. Worked just like an archery kill, but no blood trail whatsoever. Through and through with a 70grn Sierra blitzking just over the top of the heart, 20yrds shot or so.

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i will see how it works the monday after thanksgiving.

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Iv owned the newer Marlin 25-20 & the cl 32-20. both shot great I hunted a season with the 25-20 but never got a shot. I did kill a fallow deer Doe on a farm, with my Marlin 27S in 32-20, thru both lungs at 40yrds , ran 50yrds and died, but no real blood trail, keep the shots close and it will work!


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Seems to me the 32-20 is under-powered for deer. Are you sure it's legal within your state?

Sherwood


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Originally Posted by Sherwood
Seems to me the 32-20 is under-powered for deer. Are you sure it's legal within your state?

Sherwood
any centerfire cartridge is legal for big game in Pennsylvania

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Originally Posted by Sherwood
Seems to me the 32-20 is under-powered for deer. Are you sure it's legal within your state?

Sherwood
Some say the same about the 22lr.... and there is no telling how many deer harvested with that round.... its the Indian, more so than the arrow.

My hunting mentor said thats all they had many years ago, 22lr. Took a long hp(not LR) and would shoot probably 10-12 deer a year that way, in the lungs. Roll a cig, take a smoke, get a drink and then go get em. Said he never recalled loosing one.


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Originally Posted by davet
I killed a deer this past weekend with my 25-20 in the doe season. Worked just like an archery kill, but no blood trail whatsoever. Through and through with a 70grn Sierra blitzking just over the top of the heart, 20yrds shot or so.
Archery kills usually leave a good blood trail.


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Originally Posted by Sherwood
Seems to me the 32-20 is under-powered for deer. Are you sure it's legal within your state?

Sherwood


Back at the turn of the 20th century, the 32/20 was recommended by outdoor pundits as a very good deer cartridge. Apparently deer are tougher than they used to be.

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I've always thought a 32-20 would be a great "tight quarters" round...when hunting near homes in suburban wood lot's etc.

I acquired a very well used Savage Model 23C that had already been drilled and tapped for a side mount. It was actually a $99 special at the local Gander Mountain. I mounted an old Leupold vari-x II 2-7x33.

I shot one big 7 point whitetail at around 15 yds in the neck. I was using a handload which had a 100 gr Hornady XTP at 1400 fps. The deer was DRT but the bullet did not exit.

I also shot a nice sized doe this afternoon close to 50 yds away. Took a neck shot and the deer literally flipped when hit. Then got up and ran as I approached. This doe took another shot as it ran and one more when I caught up to it. None of the rounds exited.

So can one kill a whitetail with a 32-20? Absolutely. Is it the best round for the job? No. In my opinion it's marginal and shots should be taken only when the most ideal target is offered at close range.

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How would it compare to a .38spc in a 20" rifle ?


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I've never shot a deer as you describe with a 38 Special so I really wouldn't know.

I'm sure the velocity will be less with a heavier, larger diameter bullet. I'd feel better with a 357 mag myself rather than a .38 Special.

You'll have to try it and report back.

Dan


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