The Other .32

[higene]

I got a few pics of my Other .32



So far I like how my Howdah shoots with .32 balls. I started thinking about this shoot at the video store. They had this old poster that they were throwing out. I kept the poster and fabricated a target. I watched a movie at home and thought about a load.



All loads used 9 .31 balls. For loads 1 & 2 I loaded 20 Gr Goex ff. The aim point for shot #1 was right between the eyes. It was taken with the right barrel at 5 paces. Shot #2 was sighted at the center of his chest. It was fired at 5 yds with the left barrel.

Shots #3 & #4 were 40 grains if Goex ff. The point of aim for #3 was on the point of the chin. It was taken with the left barrel at 7 yards. The point of aim for the fourth shot was on the heart. It was also taken at 7 yards.

I wanted to do some more shooting to try some other loads but I am saving that for another day. The Howdah is a rip to shoot. I love it!

I can only say:



Try it you'll like it!

 

[mykeal]

Please don't post pictures looking down the barrel of a gun.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I've only had the Howdah out one time. I tried up to 35gr loads, #4 shot and 000 buck. I plan on some .31 over 40gr and I want to try 50gr. I found a source for round ball and want to give them a try.

 

[higene]

Over 40

I have tried different powders. I had trouble getting 777 ff to light. I went to 20 grains of Goex under 777 or Pyrodex. At 60 grains I cut my finger on the metal trigger guard. I wear leather shooting gloves now. I do not get sparks on the wrist holding the fore grip when I shoot that way which is a problem with some other percussion guns that I have.

I cast some Lee hollow base minnie (.58) conicals (they look like gigantic hollow base wadcutters). First I tried sabotting them with 20 gauge shot cups. The fit was too tight. I tried them without a sabot and they key holed.

The cast balls from a Pedersoli mold are tight and a little difficult to load. I am still working with cast balls and I have sent for a 20 gauge hollow base slug mold. I will let you know how it works out.

Higene

 

[RSVP2RIP]

I cast some Lee hollow base minnie (.58) conicals (they look like gigantic hollow base wadcutters). First I tried sabotting them with 20 gauge shot cups. The fit was too tight. I tried them without a sabot and they key holed.

Well thats understandable as .58" is .24 gauge. I don't own one or have I ever read the instuctions, but does the manual really suggest you do that? Shooting a grossly undersized bullet out of a smoothbore can cause a "short started ball" condition that can really hike up the pressure, creating a pipe bomb.