Douglass .32 load/accuracy question!

[Skychief]

I bought a Douglass .32 caliber barrel yesterday. The twist rate is 1 in 66 inches.

I am wanting a 32 that will shoot very accurately with smaller charges (15-25 grains) for squirrel hunting.

So, do you all think (know) that the slow twist (1:66") will require larger charges (30+ grains) to get exceptional accuracy? Or will it shoot lighter loads accurately as well?????

 

[paulvallandigham]

I don't know how long your barrel is, but it should handle the lower powder charges just fine. The only real way to know is to try the various charges out in the gun. READ YOUR SPENT PATCHES. They will tell you what is going on right, or wrong, in the barrel when you fire. If you have to "draft" someone- even a non-shooter-- to stand behind and "up-wind" of you while you shoot, to spot the patches where they fall, DO SO.

The only problem I see with smaller charges is that they do not upset the ball as fast as do larger powder charges. Use ONLY cast Pure Lead balls in this barrel. If a .310 is not providing the accuracy you believe you should be getting, find a .320 ball mold. Stick with using .015-.018" thick patching, either lubed with Bore butter, or teflon coated patching. The bore diameter ball will fit down the barrel, if the muzzle is crowned properly, with only a little extra smack on the short starter. Once in the barrel, the ball should load down the bore easily.

You may need to clean the barrel between shots, but this is not a SPEED SHOOTER'S gun, anyway.

Douglas made good barrels. Generally, they come smooth enough that they don't need lapping to make them smoother. Running a PRB down the barrel before the breech plug is installed is the easiest way to determine if further polishing is needed. :thumbsup:

 

[JJB22]

I have a 32 but is a custom gun. It is a 1/66 twist and I use 20 grains of 3f and have excellent results out to 50 yards, If I had better eyes it might be better. 20 grains is plenty to take tree rats--even the fat city ones if need be. :grin:

 

[Tom Compton]

20-30 gr in a .32 cal will produce a lot of velocity. IMO enough that a 1/66 twist will stabilize the ball.

 

[Skychief]

Taking in all the replies guys....thanks for your thoughts. Anybody else???

 

[rawhide]

my crocket rifle shoots sub moa with 15 grns of triple 7 FFFg. dose close to the same with goex FFFg mines a bit tighter twist. start low and work it up to max. to find the pet load for it. :v

 

[jbtusa]

I have been shooting 30 grs. of Goex FFF in my 30" Douglas barrel for years. It loves that load with a .311 ball (caplock). However, I consider this a hot hunting load and would NOT go over 30 grs.

 

[Skychief]

I have been shooting 30 grs. of Goex FFF in my 30" Douglas barrel for years. It loves that load with a .311 ball (caplock). However, I consider this a hot hunting load and would NOT go over 30 grs.

Hey jbtusa........Is your Douglas twisted 1:66"?

What patch and lube does it like? How accurate?


Thanks. :bow:

 

[Skychief]

Just a little bump to the top. Any more to add?