32cal loads

[c deperro]

How many grains of powder are people shooting out of a 32 cal. ?

[B.Barker]

That's a loaded question. Some barrels in .32 will shoot well with a range of loads(number of grains). In my dealings with the .32 barrels with wide grooves are better shooters than ones with narrow grooves. Some will shoot well at 25 yards with 15 grains of fffg but the group will fall apart at longer ranges. I would start at 25 grains and see what that does. The .32 is great for small game but they are a bit light for shooting very long range.

[Daryl]

Mine shot best at all ranges, even to 100yards, with 35gr 3F GOEX, a 10 ounce denim patch measuring .021" thick with either a .311" or .320" pure lead ball.

[Ghillie]

I've been shooting one since 1972.  I use 30 grains at 25 and 50 yards and 60 grains at 100 yards, all 3F, Douglas barrel.  Won my first, first place ribbon at our local club with it.  Once killed a ground hog at 125 yards using 70 grains of 3F.  I have had more fun shooting this rifle than all my others over the years.  Including my .45's, .54's and my current .58.  Great game guns and great fun guns, cheap to shoot.

[MuskratMike]

35 grains of GOEX 3F .310 round ball.015 ticking patch with TOTW mink oil. 25-75 yards works great 44- inch barrel. Flint ignition (of course).

[smylee grouch]

I have never had a 32 but I suppose I guy could start with one grain of powder for every cal. and work up from there in 5 gr. increments until you get a good shooting load.

[MeliusCreekTrapper]

My first muzzleloader was a Traditions Crockett in 32. I used a 30 grain charge of 3F behind a 310 ball in a .010 patch. Was great out to 40 yards for sure. Never really shot it much past that. Was great for squirrel hunting.

[Fyrstyk]

I have 4 .32 rifles and one pistol.  All of the guns, 3 percussion & 1 flint, and the pistol shoot their best with 25 grains of 3f, and a mink oil lubed .015 patch.  I get one hole groups (bench rested) @ 25 yards with one of the percussion guns using 15 grains of 3f.  The .32 is very accurate and economical to shoot, but not for long range or in the wind.

[nobade]

My TC has a pretty fast twist and shoots best with 15gr. My longrifle is twisted much slower and comes together at 35gr, less than that and it throws shots all over. I've never tried it with those big charges, guess I'll have to see what it will do.

[hanshi]

A little Traditions Crockett I owned for years shot 5-shot groups of under an inch at 50 yards with 30 grains of 3F Goex, can't recall the patch.  My current .32 flintlock really likes 20 grains of Swiss 3F and a heavy canvas patch.

[Bassdog1]

Three TC 32s all with 1 in 30 twist. 15 grains 3F Goex, .010 patch lubed with mink oil will shoot one ragged hole out to 30 yards which is as far as I need them to shoot. Have got really nice groups up to about 35 grains but have not found a reason to burn the extra powder for Squirrels or paper.

[Bob Roller]

My only experience with any 32 caliber rifle was in the mid 1960's but it was a breech loader,a Ballard with a custom barrel but I did break it's old record for accuracy shooting from a rest.Does anyone make a fast twist 32 for a bullet of about 175 grains for a muzzle loader?
Bob Roller

[Daryl]

 A 175gr. bullet should likely need a minimum of a 16" twist.
A 14" RoT would be better.

[Terry Cheek]

I just ordered a 32 Kibler kit. I'm following this thread for a starting point when the kit is finished.

Terry

[Bassdog1]

Terry I would start at 20 grains and work up slowly. The fast twist in a TC 32 allows for some pretty low charges. Not sure what twist your barrel is but I have owned a couple 32s with 1 in 48 and they both shot better groups from 25-35 grains.