Working up load for .32 rifle.

[Electric Miner]

Spent about five hours at the range today. All loads were shot at 50 yards, with a .315 ball, a .018 pillow ticking patch, and Remington #10 caps. Swabbed barrel between shots with alcohol soaked mop. Started off shooting from bench to get it sighted in, then switched to off-hand (won't have a bench in the field, after all.)

Pedersoli suggests 28-40 grains for the Pennsylvania rifle, so began with 30 grains of Pyrodex P. Rifle shot way high and left. Adjusted sights to bring the groups into the center, but groups sucked. Smallest group about 14".

25 grains was even worse, with some balls not even hitting the target/target frame.

Went the other direction, up to 35 grains. Started getting halfway decent groups. However, rifle now in serious need of cleaning, so packed it in and went home. Will try again another day. Want to find some thinner patches, though.



Last five round group (35 grains Pyrodex P)...

 

[BrownBear]

You might try swabbing with a spit patch rather than alcohol. I find the fouling is a lot more soluble in spit or water than alcohol, letting me shoot lots longer while generally improving accuracy, too.

 

[Electric Miner]

I'll give it a try.

 

[buford87]

I would suggest 15 to 20 or 25 grains of powder. I shoot 20 grains in my Pedersoli cub rifle and like that load a lot................watch yer top knot..................

 

[Electric Miner]

I tried 25 grains. It shot horribly. Half the shots didn't print anywhere on the paper or target frame backer. And it was so anemic I can't imagine shooting less than that. Pedersoli suggests a minimum of 28 grains for the Pennsylvania rifle (which is 8 grains more than they suggest for the Cub), with a max of 40 grains.

I'll keep trying, but I suspect this rifle isn't going to like really light loads.

 

[mooman76]

What did you use for a lube? Might try a different lube and did you find any patches after you shot? That tells you allot too.

 

[Electric Miner]

Windy today (tail wind, not crossing), so no patches. Used Bore Butter for lube. I do want to try a thinner wad next time.

 

[BGRooster1]

Did you mean to say ,"thinner patch"? If you did mean wad.Try with no wad.

 

[Electric Miner]

Sorry. Meant patch.

 

[mooman76]

BB isn't the best lube. It works ok for me but I do have to swab it allot or accuracy drops off quick. Take along another lube to try also just to see.

 

[Dean2]

Load development and shooting off hand really don't go well together. Too many varialbes. Bench the gun, develop an accurate load, then practice your off hand shooting would be my strong recommendation. 5 hours shooting off hand, anything you were doing 2 hours in is pretty suspect no matter what the load is, unless you are in excellent physical shape.

 

[rem700]

Load development and shooting off hand really don't go well together. Too many varialbes. Bench the gun, develop an accurate load, then practice your off hand shooting would be my strong recommendation. 5 hours shooting off hand, anything you were doing 2 hours in is pretty suspect no matter what the load is, unless you are in excellent physical shape.

+1