The .32 at the range

[Hanshi]

After being gifted a bit of Swiss 3F I decided to try it in my .32 flintlock.  I tried several powder charges with both Swiss and Goex.  I've had this SMR several years but just never have yet come up with a definitive load.  Some loads were good and promising but I always thought I could do better.  After peppering a couple of targets with several loads I tried 20 grains of Swiss, a .311" ball and a .024" canvas patch lubed with Hoppes.  There were two bad flyers but the 10 or 12 shot group was 1".  Distance was a few feet under 25 yards - I couldn't move the heavy target stand.  Next time I'll try a bit farther distance plus check some more loads with both Swiss and Goex.  I like a small game rifle to be sighted in no farther than 35 yards, 25 or 30 even better.  With my old eyes I doubt I could hit anything farther than that.  I'll take some photos of the target and post asap.

[bmtshooter]

Good to hear that someone is actually making smoke !! 

[Hanshi]

The weather is becoming nice enough to get out and shoot, when there's no rain.  I shoot more little calibers than the bigger boys, especially the .32 & .36.  But the .45 & .50 also have their time making smoke from time to time.  With the situation/cost/location concerning both powder and lead I can get lots more range time with the pee-wee guns than I can with the deer calibers.

[Dogshirt]

I had the .58 out last week looking for the right load/patch/ ball. With two sizes of ball, and four thickness of patches, I could be all Summer looking for the right one. Oh well, life is hard, then you retire. 

[old salt]

Hanshi down in ny wood you would be lucky to further than 25 yards. I usually sit under a big old olk and shoot six or eight and then go home.

[Hanshi]

Hanshi down in ny wood you would be lucky to further than 25 yards. I usually sit under a big old olk and shoot six or eight and then go home.

I was born and spent 62 years in Georgia and know what you're talking about.  Tough to see anything past 25 yards and shots are normally much closer.  That's why I don't stretch out the range with .32s and .36s.  As long as they make tight groups at 25 or 30 yards that's all one needs.  Of course just for fun at the range I've occasionally fired much farther than that and especially when plinking.  But a squirrels head is no longer such an easy target for this mid 70s shooter.

[DandJofAZ]

Well, mid 70's shooters with those darned dirty glasses can still SHOOT.  Maybe because we have fired so many times in years past.... Keep making smoke.

[Hanshi]

I'm beginning to suspect that since my eye surgery apparently helped out some and I've got a little shooting under my belt now, I may be getting a little of my old mojo back.  May retire from any hunting but will be shooting as much as I can.

[Watauga]

Hanshi    Glad its working out 

[Hanshi]

Thank you, Watauga; I'm hopeful.

[William]

I'm beginning to suspect that since my eye surgery apparently helped out some and I've got a little shooting under my belt now, I may be getting a little of my old mojo back.  May retire from any hunting but will be shooting as much as I can.

More power to you, I hope you get back into it.

[beowulf]

sounds good . as long as you can still hit the target you`re ok !   

[DandJofAZ]

Or at least the back board....

[Hanshi]

Or at least the back board....

That's only one of the things I've been missing with every shot.  CRIPES! 

[Hanshi]

Okay, I finally got the photo of the .32 target with 20 grains of Swiss 3F to post up.  It won't impress anyone, even me, but considering how lousy I'd been shooting prior to the eye surgery and the months afterward as it healed and I got in a bit of range time, it works for me until I get where I can do a bit better.  That's at least what they call "squirrel head accuracy" - not that I'll necessarily be shooting at squirrels anytime soon, if at all.