98grn .32 hbwc?

[downunderrunner]

Just wondering, as I have access to some 98grn .32 hbwc's, would they be suitable as a sort of "minie ball" for a .32 cal front stuffer?

[JoeJames]

Just wondering, as I have access to some 98grn .32 hbwc's, would they be suitable as a sort of "minie ball" for a .32 cal front stuffer?

As a concept it sounds good. Wonder what the groove diameter is on the .32? Shoot, one of my cousins is working up a 22 caliber muzzleloader and the barrel is an old 1890 Win. octagonal. The boolit is the main question.

[mooman76]

I have thought of trying it myself and even have them but just never got around to it. I see no reason it shouldn't work with the right barrel twist.

[RU shooter]

I would think they would be too small in dia . Figure the round ball dia is normally .31-.315 and used with a patch that is .010 or thicker . The bore dia is I think .320 then add the groove depth .006 let's say.

[Black Powder Bill]

32 dia is .312-.314
Now maybe a fat .323

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[Mk42gunner]

I've been wondering that myself, since I bought a Traditions Crockett rifle yesterday and have several .32 pistol molds, no HB though.

As long as it will fit down the bore and the twist is somewhat close to suitable I think it would work.

Robert

[swamp]

I have used 357 HBWC in my 36 Seneca. They worked pretty well.

[downunderrunner]

Thanks for the encouragement, what twist would y'all recommend? Thinking about making my own barrel, button rifled, to suit a spare lock and trigger I have

[mooman76]

It depends on what you want to shoot. 1-48 is common for .32 but that is more of a RB twist but I have heard of some shooting conicals ok. If you are wanting to shoot conicals, I myself would want a bit tight twist, like 1-32 or 1-36.

[Mk42gunner]

I'd look up the Greenhill formula if I were contemplating making my own barrel. I don't think a 1:48 round ball twist will work for a HBWC used as a Minie ball.

Robert

[carbine]

You would need shallow rifling depth. Orig .58 minie guns have rifling that is 1-72 or 1-66. 1-48 is a modern compromise.

[mooman76]

1-48 is only a compromise in certain calibers. The larger the caliber, the less twist is needed and the smaller the caliber, the more or faster twist is needed. That is why most 32s are the 1-48 twist. But yes, the minies do better with a shallow rifling. Since the regular HB32 is not really designed for a ML, the twist needed would be questionable. Minies usually do best when they fir the bore, .001 under bore size for the minie.

[fixit]

I have a traditions deerhunter in 32, and I worked up loads with a Lee double ended wadcutter with fair success, but I had to paper patch them with double thickness of packaging paper to get them to engage the rifling. With a loading block and crossed strips of paper, it should be workable. You can get some idea of what I mean by looking into the muzzleloader bench rest paper patching methods.

[downunderrunner]

Ok, thanks guys, think I'll go with 1:36, out of a 28-30 inch barrel, probably full stock too, anyone want to throw some suggestions at me?

[Mk42gunner]

I've wanted an Ohio rifle in the style of a Vincent for quite a while. Most were half stocks, but at least some were made as full stocks.

Robert

[45DUDE]

With a 38 hbwc 850 fps is about the limit to keep the base intact and still group. Not sure what a 32 would stand. I have blown the base off of some Remington hbwc on purpose seeing what they will stand.

[downunderrunner]

Oooooooo, the Vincent's are beautiful, but I really love the "jaeger" style full stock look, but for weight a half stock may be better?