Patching the 32-40

[Don McDowell]

After shooting the Bergersen match last week with smokeless and greasers, I decided it just wasn't right to treat that Ballard that way. So I came up with patching a modified 311291 Ideal bullet. What I've got right now is 42 grains of OE 2f and a felt wad in resized and fire formed Hornady 32 win special cases. Now just need the weather to give me a break...

[Gunlaker]

I'm interested to hear how it works for you Don. I've done just a little bit of patched bullet shooting in the .32-40, but my results aren't as good as with gg bullets in that cartridge. One of these days I'll spend some more time at it.

Chris.

[Don McDowell]

Chris, hopefully this cold and wind gets out of here in a couple days , and we can see what this concoction will do.

[bruce moulds]

don,
try this.
case droptubed full of 1f or 1.5f powder so wad is level with the top.
breech seat the bullets so there is a 1/16" gap between the base and the wad.
that gap might not be perfect, but will be close. don't be scared to experiment in small increments.
when the gap is right it will sing.
keep safe,
bruce.

[Don McDowell]

Bruce If I had a breech seater, I would be tempted to try that. Except the 42 gr or 2f in there now only leaves enough room to barely set the felt wad. I then compressed enough to let the bullet sit in the case without falling out, or leaning one way or the other.

[Gunlaker]

For me breech seating PP bullets worked best when seating an LDPE wad with the bullet. I made a seater for my .38-55 by cutting a length of aluminum round stock to bore diameter. I drilled out the primer pocket of a .38-55 case and used a bolt with a jamb nut to push on the aluminum rod. This made it adjustable, and also allows me to seat wads with the bullet. I'll find a picture in a minute.

Chris.

[Gunlaker]

Here is a picture of my cobbled up .38-55 seater.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthre...fles-today

Chris.

[Don McDowell]

In Ned Roberts Schuetzen rifle book he mentions seating the bullet up to 1/8 inch ahead of the case.
Chris that breech seater you built is crazy simple, and I may see if I can build one like it.

[Gunlaker]

Don that's because I have no machining skills :-). I've been thinking of upgrading the bolt and jamb nuts setup to use a piece of ready rod with a closet door knob. I should probably replace the aluminum rod with a piece of brass too.

Chris.

[Don McDowell]

LOL Chris, I have no machining skills, and no decent equipment to hone those skills.