AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: Goo on February 20, 2024, 03:53:53 PM
-
I am just finishing up a new build for a friend. The barrel is a new old stock 0.32 calibre dixie gun works from the 1980`s. If anyone has any suggestions of where to start on ball diameter, patch size and powder charge it would be much appreciated.
-
Hard telling who made the barrel for Dixie. You will need to know the bore size, rifling depth and twist before any recommendations can be made. BUT I would source some .310 balls and several thicknesses of patch material and start with 25 grns. of FFF powder.....LK
-
The .32 I had, with a 48" rate of twist, liked 35gr. 3F GOEX with either of these two combinations.
3/4" round .019" patch or 3/4" round .022" denim patch + with .311" pure lead ball or .320" pure lead ball(.319 Lee mould).
With such a small ball a short starter was not needed with either ball size, as a small amount of pressure against the ball with a choked up
5/16" rod would start the ball into the bore. I usually used a short starter as it is faster loading.
25 yard shooting was easily accomplished with as little as 20gr. 3F, making tiny groups, but load that shot 2 1/2" at 50 yards. At 35gr. I could put 5 into 1 1/2".
I would suggest a .311" Lee DC mould and a 3/4" arch punch for making patches. 8 ounce denim will work just fine. The groove depth might not be much on that Dixie barrel.
I did try melted Track's Mink oil for lube and the 55th shot loaded easier than the first one. No wiping/swabbing or any other type of 'cleansing' other than loading the next patched ball.
If the bore is a bit rough, maroon scotchbrite w/WD40 on a jag will help.
-
My load is about the same as the others. 35grains of Goex 3F, a .020 patch with a lube of 50/50 TOTW mink and pure beatsfoot oil, and a .320 ball, 4F for the prime.
-
Thank you for the advise and suggestions it will make things easier take a bit less time.