.32

[huntertrapper]

im looking to get a .32 percussion this year, well maybe flintlock, for squirrels and turkey whats a good all around powder load for the .32?

 

[John Wasmuth]

I've always had good luck with Goex 3fff in my crocket rifle.

 

[paulvallandigham]

15-20 grains of Goex FFFg powder for rabbits, and squirrels: 20-30 grains for larger game, like turkey or ground hog, or coyote. Use a RB, of course. You can try using #1 buckshot, which is .30" in diameter With a .015" patch) , or even 0 buckshot, which is .32" in diameter, With a .010" patch. If either of them work for you, you can buy buckshot cheaper than you can cast the balls yourself- now that lead prices are falling again. Accuracy is excellent with the Buckshot loads, and they are more than adequate for squirrels, or that rare shot at a turkey. Just remember that a .32 is normally a 25 yd. gun, with a 50 yard shot hat larger animals okay. The little balls lose velocity very quickly , and just don't have the weight to penetrate animals at longer ranges. The small ball will kill a coyote out to 100 yards, however, with a well placed head or neck shot.

The reason these small bore guns are so much fun is that you can practice your stalking skills on the game you hunt with it, and those skills will help you get closer to deer in season with a larger bore gun. Having said that, When, and where it was legal to use, the .32 has killed a lot of deer with shots through the ear at close ranges.

 

[huntertrapper]

thanks fellas... i planned on getting close to the squirrels and where i hunt squirrels theres turkeys so i figured id take one this fall if given the chance. maybe a coyote too but their hard to kill around here.

 

[hanshi]

30 grains of Goex 3f gives over 1700fps in my .32 Crockett and is a one hole shooter at 30 yards. It also does very well out to 50 yards, which is as far as I've tried it. I've killed lots of squirrels with that load. 20 grains is better for squirrels IMO and is just as accurate. You can go up to 35 or 40 grains & test for accuracy. It will be a barn burner with the latter load.

 

[410-er]

20grs of FFFg is my load.

 

[bubba15301]

why do you say a.32 is only good for 25 yards on small game?

 

[buttonbuck]

find or have made a 103 grain maxi ball and then you can shoot further. and bigger critters. Thompson center was wise to make the 32 maxi ball it keeps pace with the 36 cal.

 

[Bretwalda]

My favorite load is Swiss FFFg and a PRB with 12-15 grains for squirrel; 20-25 grains for longer range/larger critters . I have also use the Buffalo Bullet Company's .32 Ball-et, a 70 grain hollow based conical with 25-30 grains of powder on feral dogs...very accurate, easy to load and kills with tremendous authority. I have always felt the .32 has much potential than a lot of people give it credit for...if you are good and steady with your shot placement. Good luck on the project, as your going to love the .32!!! :thumbsup:

 

[shmrck1]

John,
I like those ball-ets also, especially
on squirrel with my .32 Crockett.30 grains 3fff
goex.
snake-eyes :hmm:
bubba,
I would say my max yardage for my
.32 is 35yards mainly because that is just
about my max. distance to see and hit a squirrel.
Has nothing to do with what the rifle can do,but
what I am personally capable of doing.I try to
stay within my abilities.

 

[buttonbuck]

but now that they do not make ball ets what are people to do? Is there an acceptable mould you can find to cast conicals in 32 caliber for muzzeloaders that anyone has been successful with? I have about 200 maxi balls but I sure cant afford or feel ok with spending 125 dollars plus at evil bay for an old stock maxi ball mould in 32 caliber.

 

[Bretwalda]

:shocked2: I spoke with someone at the old Buffalo Bullet factory last week and she indicated that they were going to be manufacturing Ball-ets again as soon as their shipment of lead came in this week. .32 ball-ets were going to be priced around 9.50 per box of 50. I have been looking for these for a long time and plan to stock up while they are available. I will report if I get what I am after. :hatsoff:

 

[buttonbuck]

good to hear about the ballets that is pricewise about twice as much as roundballs but by weight it seems on par. I still would like to know who makes a mould for 32 cal conicals or maxi balls I seem to recall some lyman moulds for pistol will work but I was wondering which ones and or if any company will make a reasonably priced custom mould?

 

[huntertrapper]

might not be getting one till my birthday is september...but thats prefect time casu squirrel comes ina few weeks after

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Some forums put together group buys for special order molds. If you are really serious about getting a mold for a 32 conical. You need to settle on a design and then get together a number of people and contact a mold company to get prices for "running them off." As I recall Lee gets around 60 dollars for a group buy mold with about 20 molds to be made. The problem is that Lee stopped production of their hollow base molds, so you are pretty much stuck with a flat base Maxi type. All that being said, there are a number of smokeless bullet molds that may be close that might be altered by the addition of wiping bands. For instance an old Lyman 32353 or 32362. The 321317 made for the 32 Rem auto was a gas check bullet with a couple of grooves. The gas check recess would make it easier to load and if made of pure lead probably would load without bruising your palm on a starter. (Pure lead also casts a very slightly oversize bullet.)

 

[Rat Trapper]

20 - 30 grains of Goex 3F