What center- fire rifle cartridge is 32 W.S. ?

Question

This is the marking on a Model 94 Winchester lever action rifle

Answer 1

It was a VERY popular deer cartridge.  It is just as capable as the .30-30 for taking deer at 100 to 150 yards.  After that it really dies off.  The .30-30 is still strong out to 200 yards or further with modern ammo.  The .30-30 took over and pretty much phased out the .32.   I am not aware of anyone currently chambering a new production rifle in .32 WS.   You can still find commercial offerings in .32 to feed your rifle but the selection is very small.  Most of the time you will only find 1 load or 2 max on the shelves at Sporting Goods stores.    

Answer 2

32 Winchester Special

More info here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.32_Winches...

Answer 3

You have a .32 Winchester Special.  You can still find ammo, and Hornady has even loaded the new Leverevolution in it.  I cant find it in stores, so I buy mine from Able Ammo on line.  Basically it is a 30/30 necked up to 32 caliber.  It was often thought to be a better bear rifle than the 30/30.  It handles 170 grain bullets better than 30/30.

I am the lucky owner of a Model 94 made in 1961 that is like new.  only has had 30 rounds through it.

Take care of it, Very few Post 1964 rifles were chambered for this caliber, so you probably have a pre-64 rifle that will carry a premium for value.

Answer 4

32 Winchester Special is part of the same family of cartridges as 30 WCF (the famous 30-30) and th parent case, 38-55. The 32 was made with a slow twist rate when smokeless propellants were still new, so it could be loaded with black powder in the days when smokeless might not be available. It's the best choice of the three if you think smokeless is a passing fad; otherwise, the other two are better choices.