My Little Powder Pig

[Semisane]

Friday evening I had a short sweaty session with my little .32 caliber Pedersoli Frontier flinter.



This is the only small caliber muzzle loader I've ever owned. So when I first got it last September I spent some time on various forums looking for posts on the .32 caliber. Just about every one I found talked about loads with 20 or 25 grains of powder, with a few as low as 15 grains and as high as 30 grains.

I've had only three previous range sessions with the gun, trying powder charges of 20 and 25 grains with different patch thicknesses. While it did pretty well, it never shot quite the way I thought it should.

Just for the heck of it, I started the Friday session with 35 grains of GOEX FFFg - a real magnum load for the .32.

Here's the first target with the stiff load.



Wow. Those four shots stacked together are the best I've done with this gun so far.

Let's try five more shots and really pay attention to sight picture and shooting technique. Here's the next target.



Hoo-Ha! That's what I call "head of squirrel".

Shooting wasn't much fun because of the heat. I had a towel over my shoulder and had to wipe the sweat from my face and eyes before each shot. The humidity was so bad the pan fouling turned to soup within two minutes after the shot, and if I didn't wipe the flint and frizzen before the next shot it would not spark at all.

But I was determined to try one group at 50 yards before quitting. Here's that target.



Oh well - maybe I should have tried 40 yards instead.

I'm not sure I like shooting this mini-caliber as much as I do my .54's and .58. But maybe the weather had an influence. Anyway, I guess I'll keep this little powder pig for now.

[bronko22000]

You know Semi, I have been struggling with getting my .32 Cherokee to shoot good too. Like you, it shoots decently with 25 gr of FFFg but not great. I almost took it out last weekend but I wanted to shoot the .54 again and play with the SS GM LRH .50. Maybe Sunday or next Monday I will take it out.

[pluckit]

A .32 caliber Green Mountain barrel for my Hawkins is high on my "Gotta get me one" list.
I think that 50 yard target shows some possibilities for enjoying a squirrel dinner.

[rafsob]

Thanks for the update on the .32 cal. Semi. Now I want to take my .32 Crocket out and play. Haven't had it out in a while. but I was using about 25 grs of Goex FFF. I will be a the range on wednesday and will give it a go.

I must say she is a pretty one there my friend. Then again, you always have nice things. Even the ones with scopes.

[cayugad]

nice shooting there Semisane. That would make a heck of a squirrel and bunny rifle.

[sdhunter11]

I just got into bp with a 54 gpr for target and deer a few months ago but with all the prarie dogs around here i think i could have alot of fun with a little rifle like that.

[nchawkeye]

I think what you are seeing is that 1-47 inch twist is too slow for a .32...

My .40 has a 1-48 and my squirrel load is 25grs of Goex FFF, but it preforms well with 20-70 grs...It's also deep, cut rifling...I believe it's .015 deep...I'm guessing that rifle has button rifling which will run .006 deep...

[pluckit]

Originally Posted by sdhunter11

I just got into bp with a 54 gpr for target and deer a few months ago but with all the prarie dogs around here i think i could have alot of fun with a little rifle like that.

It looks like it's already too late for you my friend. It seems you have caught the fever and before you know it you'll be trying to figure out where you're going to put them all, muzzle loaders that is. And I have to agree, I think a .32 cal muzzle loader would be a lot of fun. I just love my little .32 cal. cap lock pistol. to Muzzle Loaders Anonymous.

[sdhunter11]

You are probably right pluckit, just dont tell the wife