Suggested starting load for .32 cal, plus powder measure rec...

[mooman76]

Shooting a 32 can be cheaper than shooting a 22, especially these days.

 

[Sidney Smith]

Thanks for all the info fellas. Im thinking I'm going to start at 15 grains of 3fg and work up from there. I don't see myself requiring more than probably25 grains, even so that gives me plenty of room to experiment. As soon as I get to a load that gives me a walnut sized group or smaller at 25 yards, I'll call that good to go.

 

[MountainSmoke]

I love the 32, it's my favorite caliber to shoot by far. Lead and powder just seem to last forever. I really like lighter powder charges in mine the best. I rarely shoot over 20 grains and usually it's 10 or 15 with 15 being my favorite. Even a 10 or 15 grain charge in a 32 will really tear up a rabbit or squirrel so keep that in mind when it comes to shot placement. Best of luck with yours.

 

[Col. Batguano]

.... As soon as I get to a load that gives me a walnut sized group or smaller at 25 yards, I'll call that good to go.

American, or English walnut?
Can it be carried by a swallow?

 

[mjpchief]

I started with 20 grs in my Pedersoli .32 cal. At 30 yds I can put 5 rounds touching in a 1 inch bullseye. Never tried a different load since 20 grs worked right off the bat.

 

[Dibbuk]

One problem with small charges is that the ball may get seated so far down that it blocks the touch hole. I have a .32 cal that needs at least 20 grains to keep the patched ball above the touch hole. To check: put a feather in the touch hole, and see if it moves as you seat the ball on the powder.

 

[Sidney Smith]

American, or English walnut?
Can it be carried by a swallow?

Whatever the ones are that come in a bag and are out on a tray for the holidays.

 

[Sidney Smith]

One problem with small charges is that the ball may get seated so far down that it blocks the touch hole. I have a .32 cal that needs at least 20 grains to keep the patched ball above the touch hole. To check: put a feather in the touch hole, and see if it moves as you seat the ball on the powder.

I would think that your touch hole is probably pretty far off the face of the breech if the patched ball covers it up with a light load. My touch hole will be about 1/8 th of an inch in front of the face of the plug, so I don't think it would take much powder to keep the patched ball above the hole.

 

[SDSmlf]

My ‘standard’ 32 caliber squirrel load in Pedersoli flint (and percussion) is 12 grains of 3F Swiss. An inch high at 25 yards, about an inch low at 50. Use a Ballistic Products 1-1/2 buckshot in a wet patch, with a .375” hard felt wad (Duro-Felt Products) over the powder. I standardize on 3F Swiss for most of my shooting, but 4F shows a lot of promise in 32 caliber, at least in my opinion.