New 1909 Winchester 32-40. Which mould?

[stubbicatt]

Guys I finally found (one of) my grail guns, a nice Schuetzen rifle in 32-40. I'm busy amassing books, but I wondered if any of you has a recommendation for a mould in about 165 grain weight? At some point I'll find a breach seater, a scope, a palm rest, these sorts of things. But at least initially I anticipate fixed ammo. I'm leaning towards a Saeco mould, but at that price point, any of the custom moulds could work really well and maybe even better.

I have no misgivings about my ability to shoot the rifle well, but with practice I hope to improve.

I've been scouring the internet to find good loads for it, and am open to any suggestions you might have.

Thanks in advance.

[Finnmike]

Saeco 738. But do a chamber pound cast cast and bore slug first. Lucky duck...

[Clay M]

I had a nice original HighWall in .32/40.All original with perfect bore. Wish I had kept that one, but I was into original 86 Winchesters at the time.

I would give Steve Brooks a call and see what he suggest.

http://brooksmoulds.com/

If I am going to shoot black, then I like two diameter bullets.

Otherwise you might get by with molds from RCBS or Saeco.

Brooks molds are not cheap, but for serious target work he makes a great mold.

[Bigslug]

Being for target applications, a custom mold is not an unreasonable thing.

Pound cast the chamber/throat and send it and the cartridge used to LBT with a request for an appropriately contoured nose in the alloy and approximate weight you want to use. . . and a top punch of course. It's a little more expensive up front, but you get a mold that is MUCH more likely to shoot well in your gun, thus saving you buying and experimenting with multiple molds.

[Gunlaker]

I have an original Winchester schuetzen rifle that I shoot a breech seated Seaco tapered bullet in. It's the shorter of the two Saeco tapered bullets. I think it's 165gr. Regardless it shoots quite well breech seated with a plugged cartridge case. I use black powder in mine, cast the bullets out of 20:1, and pan lube with SPG.Chris.

[stubbicatt]

Gunlaker, is that bullet a tapered or two diameter bullet? I like black powder, and I wonder with breech seating, how does one load the cartridge, place wad, and chamber behind bullet such that there is no air space which I have read *may* ring the chamber?

ClayM, how does one properly lube a 2 diameter bullet? The Hoch 202 grain "Pope" bullet looks appealing, but I'm at a loss as to how to properly lube such a bullet?

Thanks guys.

[725]

Any chance of pictures?

[stubbicatt]

I only have cell phone, but here's a photo. I have sourced a breech seater, I need to find a palm rest.

If any of you has a source for one I would be grateful.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/stubbicatt/1909%20Winchester%2032-40/IMG_0241_zpsmvavbn9x.jpg (http://s80.photobucket.com/user/stubbicatt/media/1909%20Winchester%2032-40/IMG_0241_zpsmvavbn9x.jpg.html)

My 45-70

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j187/stubbicatt/1885%20Winchester%20Single%20Shot%20Rifle/IMG_0225_zps0uhle1hn.jpg (http://s80.photobucket.com/user/stubbicatt/media/1885%20Winchester%20Single%20Shot%20Rifle/IMG_0225_zps0uhle1hn.jpg.html)

[Clay M]

ClayM, how does one properly lube a 2 diameter bullet? The Hoch 202 grain "Pope" bullet looks appealing, but I'm at a loss as to how to properly lube such a bullet?

Thanks guys.

I pan lube them and shoot then as cast.
I make my own lube out of five parts Beeswax, three parts Canola oil.
two parts Anhydrous Lanolin.

[Gunlaker]

I don't usually use a wad except for a thin one that holds the powder in he case. I don't buy the ringing a chamber with BP with very small airspace. I have about 1/16 air gap on that rifle. I shoot a lot of breech seated bullets with air gaps of between 1/16" all the way to 1/8" and have never had problem. That's the way it was done in the old days.

I also have an 1885 built by A.O. Zischang. There are no rings in the chambers of either rifle. I believe that both rifles, being target rifles, would have seen a lot of use. Even with the old steel they are still good.

I'm sure that you can get into trouble if the air gap is really big, as I know of guys who've damaged muzzleloaders this way.

Btw, that Saeco bullet is a uniform taper. I won't shoot well unless breech seated. Have you checked out the ASSRA site? Lots of good infomation there on schuetzen.


Chris.

[Clay M]

The Hoch molds are nice too. I have several of Dave Farmers molds. They are a bit more trouble to work with, but the bases are perfect when you get everything right.

Dave Farmer and Steve Brooks are both excellent guys ,and build great molds.

[stubbicatt]

Thanks fellas.

[HWall3240]

Thanks fellas.That is one FINE looking 1885. Dale.

[stubbicatt]

Thanks Dale. I found a palm rest yesterday. Dang but this old stuff sure is fascinating. I have no misgivings about my ability to shoot this rifle well, but so long as there is room for improvement, chances are, improvement will eventually take up that room. ;)

I remember watching a Schuetzen match at CRC in maybe 1994 or something, and the bug bit hard at that time. Just took awhile to follow through. I guess they don't shoot this game in the Denver area anymore. There is some indication fellas are shooting out in Grand Junction. A long way to travel to shoot. I suppose I can do a couple tournaments there.