how to load HC .32L RF
- Thread starter m-134
- Start date
, but what do y'all use for projectiles (are you casting your own 
) ?
Prospector indicated that "my gun shoots about 2"-3" with .315 round ball (46 gr) at 12 feet all well centered on a head size target. this tightens up with 00 buck but i needed to pass them through the sizer end of the H&C die. This will make a flat on the side of the ball that matches the outside dia. of the case(.319-.320) Not sure what the weight is on either of these options
He also mentions the H&C cast bullets from France. Not sure of their weight but the H&C site indicates .316" dia
Other options are the Bullet Barn 32 RN BB which are 78 gr and .312
I notice that Lee also makes a mold TL314-90-SWC 32-20 WCF, 32 S&W Long, 32 Colt New Police. They list as 90 gr and .314"
According to Wiki "The .32 Short fired a 80 grain lead bullet at 945 feet per second from a 24-inch rifle barrel. The .32 Long fired a slightly heavier 90 grain bullet at approximately the same velocity";. Wiki lists the bullet diameter as .313
I have a batch of old 32 RF that are marked either H, A, D, or US on the base. They mike in the .313-.315 range
I recently also found the following stats online
Caliber 32 (.316")
Bullet Weight 80 grains
Power Charge 9 grains
He also mentions the H&C cast bullets from France. Not sure of their weight but the H&C site indicates .316" dia
Other options are the Bullet Barn 32 RN BB which are 78 gr and .312
I notice that Lee also makes a mold TL314-90-SWC 32-20 WCF, 32 S&W Long, 32 Colt New Police. They list as 90 gr and .314"
According to Wiki "The .32 Short fired a 80 grain lead bullet at 945 feet per second from a 24-inch rifle barrel. The .32 Long fired a slightly heavier 90 grain bullet at approximately the same velocity";. Wiki lists the bullet diameter as .313
I have a batch of old 32 RF that are marked either H, A, D, or US on the base. They mike in the .313-.315 range
I recently also found the following stats online
Caliber 32 (.316")
Bullet Weight 80 grains
Power Charge 9 grains
Last edited:
This has been covered here before - in detail. You don't need to buy the HC cases - you can do it yourself if you're handy:
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427850
You need:
- 27 Cal Ramset Powder Charge - "Green" has about 2.3 grs of powder, "Brown" has about 1.7 grs
- Winchester 32 Short Colt Brass. It's a bit shorter than 32 Long Colt, but easy to find (you have to make 32 Long Colt from 32 S&W)
- a 0.311-0.313" Round Ball Weighs about 48 grs
- a 17/64" and a "Q" drill. A lathe is the best way to drill the holes.
To apply this to a larger round like the 38 RF, you have to offset the holes so the the rim of the Ramset is against the edge of the brass. I'd make a jig to hold the brass off centre and use a 17/64" end mill to make the cut. (my next project).
The beauty of this setup is that the Ramset is both the primer and the powder charge, and you don't have to line up the round to align with the firing pin. The powder seems to be like Bullseye in Burn Rate (fast) and for my Remington #4 Rolling Block, "Green" contains a suitably mild charge for a 48 gr Round Ball. Brown 27 Cal charges are very difficult to find, and are required IMO if you go heavier than the 48 gr Round Ball. Firearms not as strong as the #4 would require caution using the Ramset charge - you might want to empty the powder and replace it will blackpowder, or a suitable smokeless charge.
I press the Ramset into place by squeezing it in using a vise - once in place, I do the same with the Round Ball, then put a dab of Alox on it.
Drill a two step hole into the base of the 32 Short Colt Brass - a 17/64" all the way through the web, then a shallow 0.332" ("Q" drill), deep enough that the Ramset charge sits flush. Notice how the firing pin nicely strikes the edge of the Ramset.
A shot of the two-step hole, and a fired Ramset Charge. The Aluminum Block has a "Q" drill sized hole (I have since drilled a shallow hole the diameter of the rim, (to centre the cartridge over the hole). I use it to deprime using a metal rod and a small hammer.
__________________
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427850
You need:
- 27 Cal Ramset Powder Charge - "Green" has about 2.3 grs of powder, "Brown" has about 1.7 grs
- Winchester 32 Short Colt Brass. It's a bit shorter than 32 Long Colt, but easy to find (you have to make 32 Long Colt from 32 S&W)
- a 0.311-0.313" Round Ball Weighs about 48 grs
- a 17/64" and a "Q" drill. A lathe is the best way to drill the holes.
To apply this to a larger round like the 38 RF, you have to offset the holes so the the rim of the Ramset is against the edge of the brass. I'd make a jig to hold the brass off centre and use a 17/64" end mill to make the cut. (my next project).
The beauty of this setup is that the Ramset is both the primer and the powder charge, and you don't have to line up the round to align with the firing pin. The powder seems to be like Bullseye in Burn Rate (fast) and for my Remington #4 Rolling Block, "Green" contains a suitably mild charge for a 48 gr Round Ball. Brown 27 Cal charges are very difficult to find, and are required IMO if you go heavier than the 48 gr Round Ball. Firearms not as strong as the #4 would require caution using the Ramset charge - you might want to empty the powder and replace it will blackpowder, or a suitable smokeless charge.
I press the Ramset into place by squeezing it in using a vise - once in place, I do the same with the Round Ball, then put a dab of Alox on it.
Drill a two step hole into the base of the 32 Short Colt Brass - a 17/64" all the way through the web, then a shallow 0.332" ("Q" drill), deep enough that the Ramset charge sits flush. Notice how the firing pin nicely strikes the edge of the Ramset.
A shot of the two-step hole, and a fired Ramset Charge. The Aluminum Block has a "Q" drill sized hole (I have since drilled a shallow hole the diameter of the rim, (to centre the cartridge over the hole). I use it to deprime using a metal rod and a small hammer.
__________________
redbirddog
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Maple Syrup land Ontario
Thanks Andy,
Great tutorial!
Great tutorial!
One thing I don't quite follow is, if the Brown has less powder than green, then why would it be more suitable for a heavier ball?
Also, how do you get the powder out of thise ramsets? Any tips?
Thanks
Heavier bullet would generate more pressure. It would be a good idea in an old gun to use less opowder to keep pressure down.
To open the blank's crimp, I made a little tapered spike. Mount it in the drill press (not running, only using it as a press), push it into the crimp enough to allow the powder to escape.
To open the blank's crimp, I made a little tapered spike. Mount it in the drill press (not running, only using it as a press), push it into the crimp enough to allow the powder to escape.
Received the H&C kit so started experimenting with it.
With the length of the cases, you cannot load Ramsets with the bullets provided ie they are too long.
Will be ordering up some starter primers I suppose to get the H&C working.
I will also look for some 32 Short Colt to mod em up.
With the length of the cases, you cannot load Ramsets with the bullets provided ie they are too long.
Will be ordering up some starter primers I suppose to get the H&C working.
I will also look for some 32 Short Colt to mod em up.
- Location
- Not really sure.
you could try and find .32 long colt as well and cut the cases, not sure which ones will be easier to find though.
NorthCoastBigBore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Northwest BC (Rural) 103-I-##
I've heard of others loading .32 RF with it, no reason why not provided you strictly follow the IMR guidelines for Trail Boss; and I intend to try it out in my .32, should have some ready to go within the month (too hectic right now). Trail Boss has quickly become my favourite powder (second only to real BP), just follow the instructions to a "T" and read carefully before doing so...it's your fingers.
