Husqvarna .32-20 Single Shot Bolt Action Rifle

[Dave DeLaurant]

I've been seeing these rifles at Simpsons for more than a year. They were made in .25-20, .32-20, .30-30 and .45-70 -- note that all are hyphenated American cartridges. There was also a broadly similar rifle available in .22 LR.



After acquiring a venerable S&W Hand Ejector in .32-20, I had been thinking that one of these rifles in the same chambering would be a hoot to play with. Many at Simpsons were pretty badly worn to judge by their descriptions, but this month I found an example with a bore rated very good.

The stock came with a large green decal stuck on the right side of the buttstock, but I was able to remove it without damaging either the stock or decal by using Ronsonol lighter fluid as a solvent. The varnish was in sad shape, so I took the stock down to bare wood, restained and applied a couple coats of TruOil. It could use a few more coats later on.



The original front sight was essentially invisible -- I suspect it was shortened and once had a more visible bead. I measured the dovetail and it was standard width, but when I test fit a Lyman 19 Globe sight into the notch it proved considerably deeper. I had to shim it into place using a piece of flattened cartridge brass. I've got a square post insert installed to go with the two-leaf flip-up open rear sight.

I had a theory, already proven with my S&W, that 7.5 Swedish Nagant revolver ammo would work in this gun, but my first range session was not encouraging. The firing pin wasn't reaching the primers. When I got back home I took the bolt apart for internal cleaning (a fiddly task) and it gradually dawned on me that the threaded sleeve that retains the striker could be screwed in further to increase firing pin protrusion. If this holds any interest for you, there's some photos and explanatory text at the end of this video:



As the video shows, cartridges need to be inserted well into the chamber, and the light 7.5 revolver cartridge has only the barest report on firing from this long barrel. The action is a bit stiff due to friction from the extractor as the bolt rotates.

The rifle shares quite a few features in common with Mauser single shot sporting actions. They aren't identical, but both function essentially the same way and lack ejectors. Here's one of my Mausers for a side-by-side comparison:



I had a good, if brief, time at the range with it today. It should prove interesting to see how proper .32-20 ammo shoots in it by comparison.

 

[Walkalong]

Very cool rifle.

 

[ThomasT]

I wish I coulld find one of those in 32-20 or 30-30. The 32-20 would be an excellent Rook & Rabbit rifle. I have such a fascination with those guns after reading an article about them in an old Gun Digest written by Collin Greenwood. Most real R&R rounds were straight walled rounds with heel based bullets. I would rather have the inside lubed bullet and already cast 32 caliber bullets so a 32-20 would make sense. I have a friend in N Carolina who told me has has a large stash of 32-20 brass so brass is covered.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Very neat!

Id love one in .32-20 as well.....if I was at all sure ammo will ever be available again.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I wish I coulld find one of those in 32-20 or 30-30. The 32-20 would be an excellent Rook & Rabbit rifle. I have such a fascination with those guns after reading an article about them in an old Gun Digest written by Collin Greenwood. Most real R&R rounds were straight walled rounds with heel based bullets. I would rather have the inside lubed bullet and already cast 32 caliber bullets so a 32-20 would make sense. I have a friend in N Carolina who told me has has a large stash of 32-20 brass so brass is covered.

I wish you the same good luck with the rifle as with the brass -- I'm still waiting on Starline to catch up on the latter.

I have a copy of that GD article -- Greenwood also did an entire book on rook and rabbit rifles. I have a copy of that too and can recommend it highly, along with the latest two volumes in the British Single Shot Rifles series.

https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Brit...classic+rook+and+rabbit&qid=1687392042&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/British-Single-Shot-Rifles-Miniature/dp/0967632420/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2JWRCOTS56MRT&keywords=british+single+shot+rifles&qid=1687392082&sprefix=british+single+shot,aps,277&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc

https://www.amazon.com/British-Single-Shot-Rifles-Vol/dp/1931464588/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2JWRCOTS56MRT&keywords=british+single+shot+rifles&qid=1687392082&sprefix=british+single+shot,aps,277&sr=8-5&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc

I think the .25-20 version would also be a gas to shoot!

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Very neat!

Id love one in .32-20 as well.....if I was at all sure ammo will ever be available again.

Keep the faith brother -- the Italians are still making guns for it. Or at least Cimarron still has them in their catalog -- I've spotted a few new ones for sale on Gun Broker anyway:

https://www.cimarron-firearms.com/model-p-jr-32-20-32-h-and-r-dual-cylinder-3-1-2-in.html

https://www.cimarron-firearms.com/1873-short-rifle-32-wcf-20-oct-barrel.html

 

[tark]

I wish you the same good luck with the rifle as with the brass -- I'm still waiting on Starline to catch up on the latter.

Hi Dave, It's me. You want some 32-20 brass? I have 98 new Starline cases I'll give you. You know the drill. Free to you and I'll pay the shipping. Call it an early Christmas present...

I lost your address. Shoot me a PM and I'll get them off to you.

 

[ThomasT]

I think the .25-20 version would also be a gas to shoot!

You bet. What a neat little round. I think the closest we will ever get to an american made Rook & Rabbit rifle is the Henry single shot in 357 magnum. A gun that is on my want list. I wish they would make it in 32 magnum. Good luck with that. There is a poster here who lives in Houston IIRC who has a collection of R&R rifles he has posted pictures of before. Maybe he will see this and post them again.

Thanks for the links. I don't think I can justify the cost of those books just to feed my obsession with those guns. There is just something primitive and back to the beginning about a single shot rifle. Its right up there with a small caliber MZ rifle in about .40 caliber.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

You bet. What a neat little round. I think the closest we will ever get to an american made Rook & Rabbit rifle is the Henry single shot in 357 magnum. A gun that is on my want list. I wish they would make it in 32 magnum. Good luck with that. There is a poster here who lives in Houston IIRC who has a collection of R&R rifles he has posted pictures of before. Maybe he will see this and post them again.

Thanks for the links. I don't think I can justify the cost of those books just to feed my obsession with those guns. There is just something primitive and back to the beginning about a single shot rifle. Its right up there with a small caliber MZ rifle in about .40 caliber.

Greenwood's book was still priced pretty reasonably when my wife bought me a copy for Christmas about ten years ago. I always figure money spent on good books is well-spent.

With a lighter and shorter barrel the Husqvarna could fit the general notion of a Rook & Rabbit gun, but that thick 25" barrel makes it heavier than the photos suggest. Another rifle I own comes closer to the ideal R&R weight; it has a Francotte Martini Cadet action fitted to a surplus FN barrel, chambered for .357 Magnum necked down to .308. I haven't checked but I'd guess it weighs around five pounds, give or take.



There were some Winchester 1885s made in 32-20, but those bring premium prices. Gun Broker currently has a neat one listed in a Winder Musket style stock, with a Buffington rear sight no less. Very American!



https://www.gunbroker.com/item/992452035

 

[Roverguy]

Cool! As you note, similar to the 1871 Mauser pattern. I need another 30-30 bolt gun like I need a migraine, but……

 

[Speedo66]

Curious, when did Husky produce those?

Good luck with your new rifle!

 

[MacAR]

I see these little rifles on Simpsons often (browse their site daily), and have thought about getting one occasionally but have never been brave enough. I used have one of the single shot 22's, and it was extremely accurate. One of these days, I'd like to find a little rifle similar to that because, like yourself, I'm somewhat enamored with rook and rabbit rifles. And short of spending a couple g's, I'll likely never have a "real" one. But a classy little rifle like the Husky in 32-20 or similar would fill the niche just fine I would think.

Mac

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Curious, when did Husky produce those?

Good luck with your new rifle!

Thanks! According to the one fairly convincing source I could find online, it was made from 1908-1925.

http://www.rex.gl/search.html

 

[Jim Watson]

What does a Swede shoot with a .32-20? I don't know the game available there.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I'm sure they've got rabbits and squirrels, for one thing. Beyond that, beats me -- my grandparents were from the other side of the Skaggerak in Denmark.

Any Swedes in the audience?

 

[ThomasT]

Greenwood's book was still priced pretty reasonably when my wife bought me a copy for Christmas about ten years ago. I always figure money spent on good books is well-spent.

Its not just the price of the book but the rifle that will surely follow if I read the book. I can resist anything but temptation. And reading more about R&R rifles will lead down the rabbit hole so to speak. I really like your Martini. Gunsmith Gil Sengel wrote an article years ago in Rifle Magazine about turning a Martini action into a R&R rifle in 357. I still have the article and read it when I run across it. And of course get myself all fired up about getting a Rook & Rabbit Rifle. And this thread ain't helping none.

 

[jdsingleshot]

I couldn't find any bolt guns in .25-20 WCF, so I made these from scratch--all but the barrel blanks.

 

[Roverguy]

What does a Swede shoot with a .32-20? I don't know the game available there.

It’s obviously a capercaillie rifle!

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I couldn't find any bolt guns in .25-20 WCF, so I made these from scratch--all but the barrel blanks.

OK, I'll bite -- what action did you base it on? Is the bolt action a single shot? Looks pretty sweet to me!

Reminds me a little of a Savage 23 series repeaters. I think the 23B was in 25-20 and the 23C was in 32-20. I've never seen either one outside of a book though.

 

[jdsingleshot]

The bolt action is similar to the '93 Mauser. Made from scratch though and cylindrical like a Rem. 700. Yes, it is a single shot, though I have a Stevens clip that flirts with it...

 

[tark]

I've got two 25-20s. A Remington model 25 and a Savage 23B. They are both a blast to shoot. Loaded down a bit, either would be good squirrel guns. The 25-20 chambering was by far the most popular in both of these guns. The 32-20s are harder to find. I also have two 23Ds in 22 hornet. I'd post a pic but my puter' and my phone are currently at war with one another.

 

[Speedo66]

What does a Swede shoot with a .32-20? I don't know the game available there.

I'm sure they've got rabbits and squirrels, for one thing. Beyond that, beats me -- my grandparents were from the other side of the Skaggerak in Denmark.

Any Swedes in the audience?

Not Swedish, but have been there many times with my Swedish wife.

They have axis deer which are quite a bit smaller than white tails. They also have hedgehogs, but I don’t think people there shoot them.

We really need member @Skoghund (Forest dog) to answer those questions.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Also blue and ruffed grouse, lots of ground squirrel, gophers.

And, by now, ****** Probably coyotes, fire ants and armadillos……

Added; not to mention European wild boars. Alg (moose) and red deer (stag),Roebuck (quite small), and wolves. Reindeer, fox, beaver, Wolverine, lynx. BROWN BEAR.

Most of Scandinavia is heavily forested.

 

[Skoghund]

Not Swedish, but have been there many times with my Swedish wife.

They have axis deer which are quite a bit smaller than white tails. They also have hedgehogs, but I don’t think people there shoot them.

We really need member @Skoghund (Forest dog) to answer those questions.

Well the 30-30 is a class 2 firearm so the largest deer you can shoot with class 2 is roe deer or beaver, badgers. .32-20 I would think is a class 2 but would be as rare as hens teeth here in Sweden, I would have thought. 6.5x55 is the smallest round that can be used on large hoofed game and that is anything bigger than roe deer.
No Axis deer in Sweden but they do have white tail deer in Finland. White tail deer to be shot on site if they cross into Sweden. We have Red, fallow, roe deer plus the tightest population of moose in the world.Not forgetting wild boar. Plenty of capers and black grouse plus a type of willow grouse. Ducks, geese, badgers, foxes so no shortage of thing to hunt.

 

[Jim Watson]

White tail deer to be shot on site if they cross into Sweden.

Were they introduced from North America and you don't want them competing with other game?

I recall a Swedish study of terminal ballistics some years ago. It just happened to conclude that the 6.5 was about right for area game. What a coincidence.