.32-40, 28 grains IMR 3031 behind 170 grain jacketed bullet

I am not one to generally load MAXIMUM published loads, but Ken Waters has stated this is a maximum load for the 1894 Winchester and similar rifles. Trouble is, I just cannot seem to get much accuracy with this rifle, and this load is the most accurate one so far. So I researched further, and sites on the internet suggest that old loads such as these may be too hot, as case capacity has decreased since this data was published. Advice? There were no signs of excess pressure in the rounds I fired yesterday.

I have the sight as low as it will go and it still shoots about 5" high at 50 yards. In your experience, does a Model 1894 carbine in .32-40 generally shoot high?

 

Are the sights original to the gun?

 

Yes, the original elevator sight as found on carbines in the early 20th century.

 

Is accuracy the issue , or , are you just shooting high? The 32-40 was originally a black powder load and the sights may reflect this.

 

Don't know if it will help your problem or not, but the loads I use in my Winchester 32/40 shoot to point of aim. I load the 170 Hornady with 18.8 Gr. of IMR 4198 and 170 cast with 8.0 Gr. of Unique.
Neither of these loads push a lot of velocity, but shoot good for me and I have taken game with it using the jacketed load.

 

I realize there is little commonality between a full diameter bullet, fixed ammunition cartridge, and my Schutzen load, but somewhere between 13.8 and 14.4 grains of IMR4227 makes a very accurate cartridge with a 200 grain Saeco cast bullet, breach seated or in fixed ammunition.

Being cast bullets the cost per shot is relatively small.

I also form brass from Starline 38-55 to 32-40. Factory Winchester brass is increasingly scarce and expensive.

HTH.

 

Apparently I had worked up a load several years ago, after trying several different options, and given the powder I have on hand, and reasonable accuracy, 16.5 grains of IMR 4227 provides reasonable accuracy. Still shoots high, but reliable. I found my notes from 2013 and had I found them earlier, I would have been able to resolve this issue much sooner.