Rifle: Winchester High Wall | ||||||||
Caliber: .32-40 Test Loads | ||||||||
Powder: 2400 | ||||||||
Date | Pwdr Charge | Bullet | Bullet wt | BS or Fixed | Avg MV | ES | SD | Group Size |
2/14/2023 | 12.0 | Lee 324-175 NGC | 180 | BS | 1431 | 102 | 30 | 2.750 |
2/14/2023 | 12.5 | Lee 324-175 NGC | 180 | BS | 1469 | 83 | 26 | 2.750 |
2/14/2023 | 13.0 | Lee 324-175 NGC | 180 | BS | 1523 | 79 | 24 | 2.250 |
2/14/2023 | 13.5 | Lee 324-175 NGC | 180 | BS | 1523 | 79 | 24 | 2.250 |
2/22/2023 | 13.6 | Lee 324-175 NGC | 180 | BS | 1565 | 52 | 18 | 3.375 |
2/22/2023 | 13.7 | Lee 324-175 NGC | 180 | BS | 1575 | 70 | 26 | 2.875 |
2/22/2023 | 13.8 | Lee 324-175 NGC | 180 | BS | 1595 | 51 | 18 | 1.250 |
2/22/2023 | 13.9 | Lee 324-175 NGC | 180 | BS | 1604 | 32 | 12 | 2.750 |
2/22/2023 | 14.0 | Lee 324-175 NGC | 180 | BS | 1590 | 41 | 15 | 3.187 |
Yeah, that is the current struggle I have going on in my alleged brain. If this bullet shoots well, why order a mold for a different design. I checked the various mold makers to see if they have a bullet like this Lee bullet. The bullet design is very similar to the 314299 Lyman design I shoot in my Springfield with great success. But Arsenal and Accurate have nothing. NOE has nothing that light in a RN bullet. Besides, the Saeco 632 is the go-to bullet for this caliber in single shots. With a 16 twist, it probably will not tolerate a heavier bullet.You wrote:
That is solid logic. A larger sample size (more shots per group) will tell you a little more but you are clearly on the right track.
- "The first testing was with 10 shot groups. This time it was 5 shots. So, perhaps not apples to apples. But it does appear that 13.8 under that 180 breech seated bullet is a keeper. But getting back to the number of shots, the 13.5 put 6 of the 10 shots into 7/8". So, strong evidence that 13.5 might be the true winner here."
If you settle on a bullet that is in the 165 grain range, those number for that 180 grain bullet will not mean much. However, the 165 gr bullet seems to be a more common bullet weight for that cartridge.
Your results with the 180 grain are very promising.
I think purchasing a custom bullet mold to get the diameter you need may be the most productive next step. Maybe a mold that drops a 165-170 grain bullet that is .327" in diameter and roughly the same profile as your Lee 180 gr bullet?
Keep us informed.
"Yeah, that is the current struggle I have going on in my alleged brain. If this bullet shoots well, why order a mold for a different design."?Yeah, that is the current struggle I have going on in my alleged brain. If this bullet shoots well, why order a mold for a different design. I checked the various mold makers to see if they have a bullet like this Lee bullet. The bullet design is very similar to the 314299 Lyman design I shoot in my Springfield with great success. But Arsenal and Accurate have nothing. NOE has nothing that light in a RN bullet. Besides, the Saeco 632 is the go-to bullet for this caliber in single shots. With a 16 twist, it probably will not tolerate a heavier bullet.
The 165 gr bullet I tried today is the Saeco design from a Saeco mold. Properly sized, I suspect it will be a tack driver.
Regardless, adding the scope will help clarify a lot. With the irons there is still a variable that I cannot control.
Well yeah... that's kinda obvious. Yesterday was just to scratch the itch I had to try the new bullet. I will begin a new ladder test at another club that is about 6 miles from my house. Range is narrow, and both sides are lined with berms and tall trees making wind a non-issue except on really bad days.Sounds Good.
Maybe some more testing WITHOUT the wind issue would be called for.
You may need a baseline without the extra variables. (like weird wind conditions)
I agree. The Schuetzen guys that my buddy Craig spoke to about the .32-40, said they are pushing them around 1570 FPS. So, I'm going to work up another bunch of test loads around 14.0 gr of 2400. But I don't want to ignore that 12.0 group. The ES and SD numbers are for 4 shots and they are impressive. Craig is using 12.3 behind the same bullet, only weighing in a 165 gr. So, there could be a sweet spot around that load as well.With that limited amount of data I would say the last group with the 14 grain loading is the most promising.
The first group is tight, but it's only 3 shots.
Looking good overall.
Date | Pwdr Charge | Primer | Bullet | Bullet wt | BS or Fixed | Avg MV | ES | SD | Group Size | Comments |
5/2/2023 | 11.8 | FLR | Accurate 32-175 | 180 | BS | 1358 | 30 | 10 | 0.559 | BS depth to engrave bottom land all shots. |
5/2/2023 | 12.0 | FLR | Accurate 32-175 | 180 | BS | 1399 | 29 | 9 | 0.801 | 5 sighers then 5 for group. 1st shot deleted as fouling shot. |
5/2/2023 | 12.2 | FLR | Accurate 32-175 | 180 | BS | 1427 | 37 | 13 | 0.959 | |
5/2/2023 | 13.8 | FLR | Accurate 32-175 | 180 | BS | 1559 | 27 | 9 | 1.568 | |
5/2/2023 | 14.0 | FLR | Accurate 32-175 | 180 | BS | 1549 | 30 | 12 | 1.097 | |
5/2/2023 | 14.2 | FLR | Accurate 32-175 | 180 | BS | 1589 | 35 | 12 | 1.205 |