.32 Cal. load

[hankfannin]

Hi all. I'm a newbie and have been reading and learning from posts for hours. What a great forum.

Any 32 cal shooters: I have a GM barrel, L&R flintlock KY style I built and I'm having trouble finding the most accurate 50 yard target load. On another thread I read that 30 grs. is actually a "heavy" load for a 32 which surprised me and a couple of guys recommended 20 or 25 grains of 3F. Anyone got any suggestions and tips on what gives you the best results.

Any help appreciated.

 

[gunmaker43]

well welcome to the forum, my .32---36" bbl. flintlock, really likes 20 gr 3f .015 patch. great shooting gun. I have a target from X-sticks 16 shots all touching. I'm not making it up...he-he... Tom

 

[gard72977]

I think you are about right on the charge. Try Swiss brand 3f. It seems to make a difference in small calibers

 

[Semisane]

The sweet load in my .32 Pedersoli Frontier is 35 grains GOEX FFFg. And it's a very sweet spot indeed - quarter size 30 yard groups. The gun does not like lighter charges at all.

 

[Wes/Tex]

I've owned 3 and extensively shot 2 others to help their owners develop the most accurate target loads. The top target loads were, in grains of FFFg; 20, 25, 25, 30 & 30. The 20 grain load was a TC Cherokee with the fast twist rifling typical of their small bores. The other four guns were more typical long rifle styles with slower twist. I'm guessing you'll find something in the 22 to 30 grain range will fill the bill. Most .32's can us up to 50 grains safely but the accuracy usually falls off above 35 to 40.

 

[biliff]

My .32 GM barrel shoots sub 1/2" 25 yd groups and just over 1" 50 yd groups with 20gr FFFg Goex, .318" ball and a drill patch.

 

[don hepler]

I shot 15-20 grs. not really worried about 50yds.,that's a long way for a small game pea shooter.

 

[bonron]

I have the same rifle and It likes the same load yours does and doesn't like light loads. Ron

 

[kopfjaeger]

I have two .32 caliber flintlock longrifles. A Southern rifle 42" rice barrel, and a Tennessee rifle 42" green mountain barrel both rifles shoot really good with 30 grains of FFFG Goex, a 0.015 patch, .310 round ball, and mink oil lube.

 

[hankfannin]

Many thanks. I may try that exact combination. Where did you find the .318 ball and also what is "drill". I'm not familiar with that. What's the patch lube? ( I'm trying to copy you and hopefully your results)

Hank

 

[hankfannin]

Thanks to all that responded and I really appreciate the input and help. Guess I'll have to spend some more time at the range.

I just started using Dutch's System and I'm slowly but surely getting those groups smaller and smaller.

Hank

 

[biliff]

Many thanks. I may try that exact combination. Where did you find the .318 ball and also what is "drill". I'm not familiar with that. What's the patch lube? ( I'm trying to copy you and hopefully your results)

Hank

The ball is cast from a Lyman mould. Weighs 48 grains.
Drill fabric is picked up at Jo-Anne's Fabric. Other places may call it "pocket drill". It's about .018"-0.020" depending on the bolt. Tough stuff with a tight weave.
For extended target range sessions I spit lube. No wiping needed. Hunting I just use bore butter, but you'll have to clean after 5 or 6 shots to maintain accuracy as it doesn't seem to clean the fouling out like spit does.
Sounds tight but loads easily enough.

 

[hankfannin]

Many thanks. I just cast about a 100 .311 balls with a Lee double cavity mold. The balls came out very nice, smooth and round. I haven't weighed them yet. I ordered a digital scale which should be delivered tomorrow and then I'll be able to compare weights.

One problem though - the spru is big. I mean on a ball this small a diameter it seems to take a huge chunk. On a 50 or 54 cal it wouldn't be a problem.

I'm wondering if this is going to effect accuracy.

Anyone else experienced this and is it a problem?

Greyhawk

 

[biliff]

The sprue does look pretty big on the little ball.
Hasn't been a problem, though.

 

[hanshi]

Although my .32 is percussion it gives excellent accuracy with 30 grains of 3F, a .311" ball (Lee molds don't leave a sprue) and a .015" patch. Twenty (20grns of 3F) grains gives almost as good accuracy as 30grns and is more economical.

 

[Mike New]

My .32 green mountain (42 inch)squirrel rifle likes .315 RB 20 grains 3f and a greased (or spit if plinking) .015 patch. I have not tried a bigger RB. I shot about 100 .310 and got acceptable groups but when I went to .315 it was like flipping a switch. Mike

 

[Rifleman1776]

You got good advice. Look to your ball/patch/lube combo for accuracy improvement.

 

[Billnpatti]

You have gotten a lot of great advice. Let me add one thing that will make tremendous advances in your accuracy. Go to www.blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com and order a copy of Dutch's system. It will have your rifle shooting well enough to hit a squirrel in the eye in a lot less time than if you do not use a logical system like he has. It is not just an investment in your current rifle but in all rifles to come into your hands. I can guarantee that you will not be sorry for spending the $20 that he charges for his system. :thumbsup:

 

[hankfannin]

Thanks. I have Dutch's System and I'm doing my best to get those groups smaller using his method. The problem I'm having is that there's so many variables: for instance using a micrometer to measure compressed patch thickness. With all due respect to Dutch there is absolutely no way that anyone can measure cloth compression to any constant and totally repeatable measurement to the degree that he calls for, .001 thousands I believe, by using the strength of your fingers alone to squeeze the micrometer. No two people can get the same measurement and for that matter neither can one person. It totally depends on how hard you turn the barrel. Micrometers are not made to work that way. That being said the method can be used to at least determine different nominal patch thickness and that has been very helpful.

Anyway - after shooting about 7 different thickness of patches and maybe a pound of powder I'm finally getting those groups to under 3 inches at 50 yds.

Greyhawk

 

[hankfannin]

Thanks for the reply and you're right. they don't leave a spru, per say, what they do is slice a small piece of the ball off leaving a flat spot. That's what I was calling a spru. Is that the same as you get and does it affect accuracy much, assuming of course, that the flat spot is placed face up and centered each time.

Greyhawk.