Suggested starting load for .32 cal, plus powder measure rec...

Shooting a 32 can be cheaper than shooting a 22, especially these days.

Thanks for all the info fellas. Im thinking I'm going to start at 15 grains of 3fg and work up from there. I don't see myself requiring more than probably25 grains, even so that gives me plenty of room to experiment. As soon as I get to a load that gives me a walnut sized group or smaller at 25 yards, I'll call that good to go.

I love the 32, it's my favorite caliber to shoot by far. Lead and powder just seem to last forever. I really like lighter powder charges in mine the best. I rarely shoot over 20 grains and usually it's 10 or 15 with 15 being my favorite. Even a 10 or 15 grain charge in a 32 will really tear up a rabbit or squirrel so keep that in mind when it comes to shot placement. Best of luck with yours.

Sidney Smith said:

.... As soon as I get to a load that gives me a walnut sized group or smaller at 25 yards, I'll call that good to go.

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American, or English walnut?
Can it be carried by a swallow?

I started with 20 grs in my Pedersoli .32 cal. At 30 yds I can put 5 rounds touching in a 1 inch bullseye. Never tried a different load since 20 grs worked right off the bat.

One problem with small charges is that the ball may get seated so far down that it blocks the touch hole. I have a .32 cal that needs at least 20 grains to keep the patched ball above the touch hole. To check: put a feather in the touch hole, and see if it moves as you seat the ball on the powder.

Col. Batguano said:

American, or English walnut?
Can it be carried by a swallow?

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Whatever the ones are that come in a bag and are out on a tray for the holidays.

Dibbuk said:

One problem with small charges is that the ball may get seated so far down that it blocks the touch hole. I have a .32 cal that needs at least 20 grains to keep the patched ball above the touch hole. To check: put a feather in the touch hole, and see if it moves as you seat the ball on the powder.

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I would think that your touch hole is probably pretty far off the face of the breech if the patched ball covers it up with a light load. My touch hole will be about 1/8 th of an inch in front of the face of the plug, so I don't think it would take much powder to keep the patched ball above the hole.

My ‘standard’ 32 caliber squirrel load in Pedersoli flint (and percussion) is 12 grains of 3F Swiss. An inch high at 25 yards, about an inch low at 50. Use a Ballistic Products 1-1/2 buckshot in a wet patch, with a .375” hard felt wad (Duro-Felt Products) over the powder. I standardize on 3F Swiss for most of my shooting, but 4F shows a lot of promise in 32 caliber, at least in my opinion.