.32-40

Just curious as to what the choir says regarding favorite loads for .32-40 with cast bullets. In my case I'm shooting a couple Winchester High Walls, one barreled by Harry Pope, the other by an unknown, both long heavy barrels. Bullets of choice range from 165 to 200 grains (plain base, breech seated), and I'm sort of stuck in a rut with using 4227. Accuracy is good at 14.0 grains, but I'm getting kind of bored and am casting sidelong glances at the Li'l Gun, 1680, H-110, 5744, and AA#9 that are whispering to me. Any opinions on these alternatives to "old tried and true" 4227? Mind you, no shots will probably ever be fired out of these guns at deer (I'll not lug 13-14 pound rifles around the deer woods!), rather 200 yard bullseyes are the quarry - so rip-snorting loads are not desired! As long as I stay barely super-sonic at 200 yards I'm happy.

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Originally Posted by gnoahhh

Just curious as to what the choir says regarding favorite loads for .32-40 with cast bullets. In my case I'm shooting a couple Winchester High Walls, one barreled by Harry Pope, the other by an unknown, both long heavy barrels. Bullets of choice range from 165 to 200 grains (plain base, breech seated), and I'm sort of stuck in a rut with using 4227. Accuracy is good at 14.0 grains, but I'm getting kind of bored and am casting sidelong glances at the Li'l Gun, 1680, H-110, 5744, and AA#9 that are whispering to me. Any opinions on these alternatives to "old tried and true" 4227? Mind you, no shots will probably ever be fired out of these guns at deer (I'll not lug 13-14 pound rifles around the deer woods!), rather 200 yard bullseyes are the quarry - so rip-snorting loads are not desired! As long as I stay barely super-sonic at 200 yards I'm happy.

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I shoot a Winchester 1894 rifle and carbine. I have good luck with IMR 4895 (27), 3031 (28), and 4198 (21.5) with 170gr cast bullets. Velocities hover around 1800-1900. I also like 2400 and trail boss for less velocity.

For target loads in my Winchester/Miroku reproduction 1885. I use the Lyman 165 grain plainbase design and either 13.5 grs. SR4759, 21 grs. H4895, or 14 grs. IMR4227. The 4759 load has a muzzle velocity of slightly over 1400 fps, the other two are a little under 1400. All loads are accurate.

One could build a 32 Miller and start all over.

IMR 4759 along with IMR 4227 were THE powders for the 32-40 years ago. Now that IMR 4759 is no longer made (darn bean counters) if you find some try it out. Me I'll use what I have in my Finn Model 27 7.62x54r with cast bullets. Frank

Loading a batch now. Going to try unique for around 1350fps and see how that goes. I'll let ya know.

I have two rifles a highwall with a Green Mountain barrel and an original '94. The GM barrel is very tight and uses the Lyman boolit (170gns) with 26gn of 3031 whilst the lever gun uses an Saeco 8mm boolit of 190gns (sized to 0.322" ) and 13.5gns of 4227.

https://i.imgur.com/kAWVgGkl.jpg

Any comments on the loading for an early marlin take-down made prior to the acceptance of smokeless powder? And further, in as much as the taper on the .32-40 is so pronounced, do you think it would qualify as a "straight wall" per the new various hunting regulations around the country?