Very Light Loads

[ryoung14]

In order to get some backyard target practice, I've been shooting my .32 Cherokee with a very light load to avoid disturbing the neighbors. I'm using 8 to 10gr. Pyro P under a PRB. This seems fairly quiet but, so far, not real accurate. Patches look almost good enough to re-use.

From the feel of the ball when it seats (very solid), I don't think I'm seating against powder....more likely I'm seating against the mouth of the breechplug cavity. This probably means there's an airspace between the ball and the powder (or somewhere in the breechplug). If this is true, how dangerous is this? I've shot this load several times and all appears well. Ignition seems super fast. Has anyone experimented with loads so light they didn't fill the breechplug? Any tales to tell?

The initial firing pressures would be exerted against the breechplug rather than the barrel...until the ball started to move. Doubt I would get a 'walnut' in my breechplug, but could I fracture it?

Thanks.
Bob

 

[roundball]

In order to get some backyard target practice, I've been shooting my .32 Cherokee with a very light load to avoid disturbing the neighbors. I'm using 8 to 10gr. Pyro P under a PRB. This seems fairly quiet but, so far, not real accurate. Patches look almost good enough to re-use.

From the feel of the ball when it seats (very solid), I don't think I'm seating against powder....more likely I'm seating against the mouth of the breechplug cavity. This probably means there's an airspace between the ball and the powder (or somewhere in the breechplug). If this is true, how dangerous is this? I've shot this load several times and all appears well. Ignition seems super fast. Has anyone experimented with loads so light they didn't fill the breechplug? Any tales to tell?

The initial firing pressures would be exerted against the breechplug rather than the barrel...until the ball started to move. Doubt I would get a 'walnut' in my breechplug, but could I fracture it?

Thanks.
Bob

IMO, there's no worry at all with that little bit of powder...it's no different than somebody "dry balling" on top of a patent breech, then working a few grains in through the nipple channel or vent...just not enough powder to build any kind of pressure to hurt the barrel

 

[DCF]

I've messed with light loads in my .451 rifle and ran into the same problem. If you put down the charge then fill up the spare volume with semolina to clear the breech section it seems to work.
I'm not sure if there are pressure issues but it made me feel better having no air gap!!

 

[musketman]

You can always add a small amount of cotton (filler) to take up the space in the breech, this will also hold the powder against the back side of the nipple when the gun is held horizontally...

 

[PapaPopup]

You will not have much accuracy with such a light load in a rifle whatever you do. You need somewhere around 25-35 grains for decent 25 yard shooting, got to experiment with different charges for the best groups as no two rifles will shoot the same. But for both safety and maybe a little better accuracy do as previously suggested with the semolina or even better (in my opinion) corn meal to finish filling the breech so you fully seat the ball. Do not use cotton, there is the possibility of a small amount being left behind, glowing, waiting for the next powder charge.

 

[musketman]

Do not use cotton, there is the possibility of a small amount being left behind, glowing, waiting for the next powder charge.

You are correct, I should not have suggested that... :redface:

 

[harryo]

You will not have much accuracy with such a light load in a rifle whatever you do. You need somewhere around 25-35 grains for decent 25 yard shooting

FYI, my Crockett rifle will shoot < dime-sized groups at 25 yards using 10 grns of Fffg blackpowder. My squirrel hunting load is only 18 grns of Fffg KIK and will hit a squirrel in the eye at 35 yds every single time, if I do my part. I very seldom shoot any load approching 25 grns and never shoot anything approaching 35 grns of powder.

 

[Snuffy]

Has the discussion been changed to holding a powder charge in place? I thought the thread-starter wanted a real light bullet load?

If all he wants is a quiet-type fouling shot, I generally place an empty plastic sabot in front of 25 grains of powder to hold it in. Some MLers double-fold a 3" square/round patch and stuff it down on-top of the powder.

 

[Zonie]

If the powder is not being compressed a little, it will not burn consistantly from shot to shot.
Like the others suggested, add a little corn meal or Cream of Wheat on top of the powder so that the ball compresses it a little.
That might improve the accuracy some.

As for damaging your gun, I agree with the others that it won't hurt your gun as long as the ball is rammed all the way down the barrel.

zonie

 

[ryoung14]

Thanks for the input, gentlemen. This is the place to come for ML insight. I'm going to try the cornmeal idea. Even if the airspace doesn't cause trouble, it won't help consistency any.

My other small bores do well with light loads. The .36 Seneca likes 15 to 25gr. of Pyro P, while the .32 System 1 laps up 10 to 20 gr. I know for a fact that it takes close to 15gr. to fill the breechplug of the System 1. Like sabinajiles, I've never found any justification for going over 30gr. with my smallbores.

So far the Cherokee hasn't done so well for me. It's much lighter than the other two and seems to float around the target a lot. The length of pull is a bit short and the sights are the issue bead-and-vee, which I've never liked. The .32 System 1 corrects all of these issues and is a tack-driver....jest don't look so nice.
Bob