I recently emailed Henry Arms about the idea of making a modern equivalent of the Savage 23, center-fire, bolt-action, clip-magazine, small game rifle. I envision something like a 1930s era classic sporter, with 24" barrel, but modern ghost-ring rear sight, chambered for the .32 S&W Long / .32 H&R Mag; .25-20 WCF, .32-20 WCF or .22 Hornet. An option could be to make a take-down back packer's version similar to the Air Force M4 bolt-action survival gun, but to me the quiet report of a long barrel with subsonic ammo is what makes the concept attractive. If the barrel is shorter than about 22" it is simply too loud, even with subsonic loads, such as factory .32 S&W Long 98-gr. LRN or HBWCs.
Many suburban areas where hunting is still legal are being lost to urban sprawl. Even the mild crack of high speed .22 LR or .22 WMR is objectionable. Silence is "Golden." I have some experience with English rook rifles and went to some expense to have a gunsmith make me a .32 S&W Long "American Rook Rifle" using a tiny antique single-shot rifle action. Ordinary .32 S&W Long factory loads are very quiet, like subsonic .22 LR and just as accurate, but with much better killing power than a .22 LR. You can also handload the .32 S&W Long in a strong revolver such as the Ruger or S&W Model 31 to approximate .32 H&R Magnum ballistics, of about 1000-1050 f.p.s. in a revolver or 1300 f.p.s. in a rifle, though you need to stay below about 1050 f.p.s., using lead bullets only (so that you don't stick one in the bore!) for minimum noise, and below 900, around 850 is ideal for low noise. This is possible with factory lead loads for the .32 S&W Long without having to reload. Or use any lead .32-20 lead bullet from 85-120 grains with 2 grs. of Bullseye, 2.5 grs. of W-W231 or 3 grs. of Unique. For a heavy load in a strong gun such as a Ruger, to approxiate the .32-20 load 6.0 start to 7.0 max. of #2400 with a 85-100 grain bullet in Remington cases with the Federal 200 primer.
Years ago the .32-20 and .25-20 were the primo small game getters. Today people have lost the concept of a mild, quiet rifle which doesn't make your ears ring or grind tender eating game into fur burgers.
The .32 H&R Magnum is the full equal of the .32-20 and is a good 100-yard. varmint, small game and wild turkey gun. The brass is easier to reload, longer lived, and companion handguns are readily available.
If you agree that a modern center-fire small game gun, with a traditional, agricultural flavor is needed, please email or write Henry Arms to express your support. They need to assess the market to see if there is adequate demand to do this.
