32 loads

[dubber123]

This is my first post in this section (I think), so here goes; I have a really nice T/C Cherokee in .32. I got it on a trade with my brother because he couldn't get it to shoot, and guess what? I can't either. The best I can get is about 1-1/2" at 50 yds. with maxi-balls. This isn't good enough, and I really wanted to shoot round balls in this gun. I have a .54 21" carbine that shoots MUCH better. I believe it may be my load. In rummaging around, I found a pound of Pyrodex P, and 3 pounds of Goex 4F. Do any of you have applicably loads for either powder? If you can give me charges by weight, it would be helpful as I don't have a measure that goes below 50. I think I have been shooting too hot a load and that might be my problem. Thanks.

[tommag]

Rather than buy a new measure for now, you might try some spent cases and see how many .45acp,9mm,.44, etc. cases full it takes to fill your 50gr measure.
I think 50 might be too much for a .32. I use 20-40 grs in a .36

[dubber123]

Funny, I never thought of just seeing how many of a given case would get me to 50 in my measure, I was guessing at about a 25 gr. by weight charge, and that would get me close. Thanks. Any specific pet loads are appreciated also.

[tommag]

Has a nice catalogue for $5. It has lots of things like capacity of various cases by volume in it. Even though its a catalogue, it is a pretty good reference source for the money. If you settle on a charge wt., try depriming the case and soldering a screw-eye into the primer hole to attach a lanyard. makes a good fixed measure.

[mooman76]

I have a 32 and I think the max is 40 but I have shot up to 60. I would start at 20of 3f and 30 should be plenty, same with 4f unless you have a real reason to go higher. Also I usually don't swab but I found out beings the 32 is so small fouling affects it more and if I didn't swab every few rounds my groups would suffer. TC is a fine gun and it should shoot better. Did you try some different patches? Ditto on the Dixie catalog. Lots of good stuff in there including info. I could mesure you some MT brass if you like.

[dubber123]

Moonman, it's been a while since I have shot it, but I believe I tried 5 and 10 thousandths patches with the round balls, (Hornady factory). I noticed the bore seems to be on the tight side, and I bought a new Lyman mold thats a little smaller. As a side note, when shooting patched loads, do they have to be pure lead? I was wondering if the patch takes the place of sealing the bore enough to allow me to use WW metal.

[tommag]

I went out and tried 3 different cases against my measure and got the following:
.357---28 grs
9mm--15 grs
.44mag-35 grs

I've heard of foks using ww for balls with good results. The theory is that the softer balls will slug up better.

[mooman76]

You can use WW metal, I always have due to lack of soft lead but they say soft lead shoots better. Never understood it myself since like you say the ball never touchs the bore. One thing to keep in mind. The bore is so small I noticed when I place ball and patch the starter tends to bind up a little with the patch giving me the illusion of a tighter than normal fit. But tighter will almost always shoot better.
I measures some brass also and got this.
38special 22
45acp 25
40&357 sig 20
44 special 33
30carbine 20
223 33
41 30
9mm 15
7.62x39 35

[9.3X62AL]

I have one of the Traditions Crockett 32's, and recipe for success was Hornady .315" RB--.010" patching--and 30 grains of Goex 3F. You might be getting burn-through or tearing with patching only .005" thick.

Those little 48 grain RB's really jack up jackrabbits, and it cartwheels ground squirrels right proper. It remains the only front-loader I've ever actually whacked critters with, and its efficiency at this task rather surprised me. One jackrabbit got rolled at about 70 yards, and it was DRT. It's a lot more gun than a 22 LR at a given distance, for sure--and doesn't give up much accuracy to my rimfires, either.

[mooman76]

I just picked up a Dixie Gunworks .32 Tennessee Mountain rifle at a pawn shop in great shape for $200 out the door. I must have went back and looked at it 3 or 4 times. It's balanced great. Only draw back that slowed me down is it's a flinter. Nothing against that but I haven't had much sucess with the fliters but I guess now I will have to learn. I considered turning it into a caplock but I'm going to give it a try first.

[dubber123]

Thanks for the replies guys, that should get me started.

[BUSHMASTER]

Are you hunting or justout shooting

[dondiego]

Bushmaster - That thread is over 6 years old.

[rodwha]

Ever get it to shoot?

[Squeeze]

the TC cherokee is one of the best shooting .32s out there with the 1-30 twist I have 3, they all shoot well with 10gr-25 gr charge real black, pyrodex rs, or se7en ive never tried maxis in them yet, but a .310, 0r .311 ball and a .015 or .018 patch works great. or a .315 ball and a .010 patch works for me in most of my .32s they are some of the least fussy smallbores I have and better shooters than the usual 1-40 twist for a .32 cal. sounds to me like your loading way too hot. Id definitely recommend getting an adjustable pistol powder measure, start at 10-15 grn chargem and work up to 25 or so in 5 grn increments to see what groups best. You shouldnt have to go more than 30 grn, and im pretty sure a 40 grn charge is max recommended for TC .32 Haha nevermind, just saw the old date :grin:

[shadz]

i hae the sam gun i use a .315 ball over 10 gr FFFg and a maxi over 20gr FFFg on squirrels

[fiberoptik]

blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com
Answers all BP questions. Highly recommended!