Paper patched bullets in the .32-20 at the range

[David LaPell]

Well, I think I am onto something.

My old Winchester 1892 .32-20 was keyholing with bullets with .312" which is what the barrel slugs out at, and (115 grain Lyman bullets). So while I wait for .313" bullets to get here, I decided to try paper patching the .312" bullets. I used rice paper which is almost water soluble as delicate as it is. If it's wet and not in place when you want to wrap it, it will tear it is so delicate. I got the bullets with the rice paper sized out to .315" and I used Lee Liquid Alox bullet lube over the paper when it dried.
I took the gun out this morning with a light charge of 2400 and I actually got the gun to shoot accurately. I didn't mess with sighting it in as I wanted to see if the gun would group.

There's no keyholing anymore and while it's not match grade accuracy, it's a definite improvement.

Here's the .312" bullets at 25 yards, notice the start of the keyholing and what is a 4 or 5 inch group.



Here's with the paper patch bullets at 25 yards.

[barrabruce]

Nice

Keep shooting the pp’d bullets.
It will clean and polish it a bit.

Thought 4 grn s would be better of 2400.
50/50 bees wax /vasalene works well as a lube too.
Cig papers are a little tougher and thin.
But they cost so much these days.
Did some for my 310 cadet and they worked well.
Different but similar.

[FredBuddy]

Your plan is coming together !!!

I wonder what powdercoating would do for you?