rabbit rifle found!

[Curtis44]

I broke down and ordered a 32h&r carbine barrel from Midway a few weeks ago. The threads on "poor T/C throating", etc had me concerned but i wanted a smallbore CF rabbit rifle. I should not have worried, the thing shoots far better than I had hoped. So far I have tried Lyman 311419 (85gr gc), 311316 (112gr gc) 313249 (84gr rn) and the RCBS 32-98 swc (98gr swc). All have shot well but the 313249, but it has always been a so so performer in two 32 h&r revolvers and a 32 S&W also. The other 3 shot into 3/4 to 1/2 inch @ 50 yards on the first outing. 3.5 gr 231 was the best load for the 311316 and the 32-98, with the 311419, 4.0gr 231 did best. Bullets were sized .311 and .312, and no difference was noted. .309 bullets were too loose in the necks so I guess I need a new sizeing die. Any idea who makes a sizer compatable with the 32H&R in a contender (.308 groove)?

This barrel has impressed me so much that I ordered a scope with paralax adjustment to tighten the 50 yard groups up. The currenty mounted 3X9 scope has lots of paralax at 50 yd so you must carefully center your eye in the scope to keep the crosshairs from moving off of the target. This is typical for highpower scopes, which limits their usefulness on a rabbit rifle when shots are 30-40 yards. I also ordered a 311008 to go with it!

[NoDakJak]

The RCBS32-98 is a great boolit but I think that you will be even more impressed with the 311008. The most accurate load that I have found with them in both 32 S&W Long and 32 H&R Magnum revolvers is with 32 S&W Long brass and 2.8 grains of ZIP or 5.7 grains of 2400. I haven't tried these in a rifle as of yet but a Martini is in the works. Enjoy. Neil

[dubber123]

You may not need a new size die, just a smaller expander. Try a few just sized, with the neck belled. Bell by hand if you have to. Skip the expander die and see if the neck tension is sufficient with .309" boolits.

[Curtis44]

Thanks for the info guys. I have always had great results with the Lyman 311316 in my other 32's and a ruger 30 carbine (that some smash-and-grab lowlife stole out of my Bronco in Missouri, but that's another story!) The cost of GC's is getting out of hand so I wanted to give the 311008 a try. I hope it does as well as the 311316 or the RCBS 32-98 SWC
Dubber, I have tried skipping the expander and just using a Lee universal expander to just flare the case enough so the bullet will start, but it is still a little too loose for my taste. I can push the seated bullet in with my thumb easily.

Now I have this 150 gr Lyman 311414 mould that has a short bearing surface and a long spitzer nose, I wonder..........

[Curtis44]

It stopped raining here long enough to try out the 3118 in the 32 contender carbine. You were right NoDac, the 3118 is a super bullet in this caliber! Mine come out at 116gr with my alloy (90/5/5). A charge of 3.5gr 231 or 4.2gr 800X gives 3/8 to 5/8 " groups @ 50 yd if I do my part. The 311419 does nearly as well with 4.0 231 but requires a gas check, with the extra cost and hassle associated. Overall the 3118 seems the best for my uses. I REALLY like the Burris 4.5X14X32 AO scope on it as well. Focus down to 7 yds. NO paralax when focused at target range. Now to wait for the rain to stop so the whistle pigs will come out!

[NoDakJak]

I am delighted to hear that 3118 is working well for you. Ken Waters once stated that it was one of the best bullets for the 32 S&W Long. My mold is the newer version, 311008 and it has been an excellent buy. My shooting with it in 32 H&R Mag has been limited but it worked well. It has been the most accurate boolit that I have fired in both my 32-20 revolvers and rifle. I have also used it to assemble some pretty fair Bunny loads for my Model 219 Savage, 30-30. Seemed to work very well with Trail Boss. I am testing it in the 7.62X39 now. Hasn't worked well in my SKS with it's huge bore but the CZ 527 slugs at .310 and it is showing promise in that rifle. Great boolit! Have fun. neil

[Green Frog]

Curtis44,

When I read your first post in this thread, I thought to myself, "Why isn't he using the best bullet there ever was for that cartridge, the 3118?" Glad I read it all before I jumped in. I honestly believe that it's the one to use to establish a base line for any .32 S&W, H&R Mag, or .32-20 revolver or light rifle I want to shoot. It was good enough for the late Skeeter Skelton, so it's good enough for me. Kinda looks like a miniature 429421 Keith, doesn't it? :wink:

Froggie :mrgreen:

[rhbrink]

Ok! I've been watching this thread and would like to buy a 32 H&R Mag. for my Encore for all the above reasons, but have been worried about the 10" twist. Just how well does that twist handle the short bullets, how good is the accuracy at 50 and 100 yards?

[Curtis44]

I can see why Skeeter liked it! Too bad we dont have gun writers of is caliber around any more! He was one of us, a common man who had been there and done that who could spin a good yarn. I get so tired of the rich SOB's writing about their custom rifles with Ziess and Swarvwaski scopes and how anyone with lesser equipment is a looser. You Never heard that kind of stuff from Skeeter.
Enough ranting for now! Sorry about the tangent!
Thanks for the info on the 32 mag. Now I feel a strong need for a hollowpoint version of the 3118 0r 311316..............

[Curtis44]

Based on my so far limited experience with the 32 mag in a TC, I'd say the 1 in 10 twist is not a problem. Mine shoots the 85gr fpgc Lyman 311419 into 1/2" or so at 50yd, and the RCBS 32-98 SWC will do as well. The Heavier 311316 and 3118 do even better. I have not tried it at 100 yds yet. I will post here when I do. I think this setup is going to be my favorite contender caliber. Cheap to shoot, very accurate, low lead consumption, pleasant to shoot, relatively quiet compared to high intensity calibers, what more could you ask for? Plus it should be a great small game rifle!

[rhbrink]

Thanks for the info on the 32, Skeeter is one of my all time favorites, sure wish he was still writing! Most of the stuff these guys write these days isn't worth the paper that it's written on!