.315 Round Ball in .32 Squirrel Rifle

[99whip]

Has anybody used a .315 round ball in a .32 cal squirrel rifle? I've typically used a .310-.311 round ball and varying thicknesses of patch material with 25G's of 3F. I guess there'd be room to move down a little in patch thickness and try the heavier ball, has anybody done it? Or have any thoughts on it?

 

[rodwha]

I don't have a small caliber rifle but need one. It seems those that I read about typically use closer to 15 grns of 3F or even 4F.

What twist does it have?

How is fouling? How often must you wipe?

I've often read that people with a .32 cal rifle complain about fouling issues and the need to wipe often. But then I also wonder if they are using a dirtier powder, and what kind of lube and whether it's enough. There are a few who claim their's runs long and well with no complaint.

I've been a bit curious, and as I don't have a lot of funding I figured a Traditions Crockett is my sole affordable option. A .32 is more than plenty for small game but I figure a .36-.40 works for a plethora of critters, and if I could get a .380" ball to work it would be most excellent as I need a .36 cal revolver or three...

 

[uncmrkhd]

Has anybody used a .315 round ball in a .32 cal squirrel rifle? I've typically used a .310-.311 round ball and varying thicknesses of patch material with 25G's of 3F. I guess there'd be room to move down a little in patch thickness and try the heavier ball, has anybody done it? Or have any thoughts on it?

I got a 32 cal Crockett and I shoot 310-320 with diff loads trying to find which is best. Small ball thick or thin patch or larger and diff patches. Mine seems to like 20gr best but then again the rifle can shoot better than I can most days

 

[99whip]

I don't have a small caliber rifle but need one. It seems those that I read about typically use closer to 15 grns of 3F or even 4F.

What twist does it have?

How is fouling? How often must you wipe?

I've often read that people with a .32 cal rifle complain about fouling issues and the need to wipe often. But then I also wonder if they are using a dirtier powder, and what kind of lube and whether it's enough. There are a few who claim their's runs long and well with no complaint.

I've been a bit curious, and as I don't have a lot of funding I figured a Traditions Crockett is my sole affordable option. A .32 is more than plenty for small game but I figure a .36-.40 works for a plethora of critters, and if I could get a .380" ball to work it would be most excellent as I need a .36 cal revolver or three...

I can't remember the twist rate off the top of my head, but I have it written down in my box. I do wipe between shots, it's probably not totally necessary, but when I was working up loads it was a good habit I got into. In my experience the smaller calibers are more sensitive to all the standard factors that influence accuracy, with fouling being right up there. With this particular gun I have found the best accuracy so far with the current combo of rb (.310), .015 lubed patch, and 25G (3F), I tested it at around 20G for a while and was surprised that 25 seemed better, but I think there is a little more accuracy to be squeezed out of it. So, I am thinking about trying a .315 ball just to see what kind of difference that might make, will have to drop down in patch thickness of course.

But, they are fun to shoot.

Went and looked, 1-48 twist...

 

[99whip]

I got a 32 cal Crockett and I shoot 310-320 with diff loads trying to find which is best. Small ball thick or thin patch or larger and diff patches. Mine seems to like 20gr best but then again the rifle can shoot better than I can most days

Thanks uncmrkhd, that's good input.

 

[Jorge Nicky]

It took me quite a while to work up an accurate load for my traditions deerhunter 32cal (1:48"), but here is what finally worked for me.

30gn pyrodex p
3/4" .020" pillow ticking square patch lubed with 50/50 beeswax/crisco trimmed at muzzle
311 cast round ball resized to .308

I load powder, tap the rifle a few times near the lock to get some powder into the bolster, then short start the ball over 3/4" lubed square patch. Trim the patch flush, long start, then ramrod home verifying the 'loaded' mark on the ramrod. She always fires, will shoot cloverleaf groups (bench rest) at 25yds, and I never have to clean the barrel while shooting (50+ shots). I do clean the nipple (pick) between each shot.

30gn Pyrodex p seems to be the most accurate for me and cleaner than FFFG. The .308 resizing made loading a lot easier and increased accuracy. I resize and load off the sprue. Casting my own balls, cutting/lubing my own patches makes the 32 very economical to shoot. Starting to punch/load my own caps, don't have this tuned yet.

The 1:48" twist is just too slow for 32. I have not had much success with lighter loads than 30gn. A 110gn 32 maxi ball shoots very poorly (twist too slow) even at 50gn of pyrodex p. At 311/308 rb with 30gn of pyrodex p she is a bit too hot for squirrels, but makes an excellent rabbit/chuck gun out to 50yds.

Bottom line, a lot of fun to shoot and does not beat my face and shoulder up after a long day of shooting.