Irascible,
I plan to breech seat. I have ordered a Shilen barrel, a Hoch 322100 mold, and brass. Although I've loaded black powder cartridges for a good while, this type load is new to me. I appreciate all the advice you have.
Lynn

Thanks Boats.
We are of one mind when it comes to tradition. Paul Shuttleworth said that if I decided I wanted a .32-40 that this barrel could be reamed to fit that cartridge. We'll see.
Lynn

I see what you're saying. I suppose the type rifle/cartridge will be somewhat determined by the group we're shooting with. I don't know of a Shuetzen group around Dallas, Texas but would be interested in finding one.
Lynn

To DWS's point offhand it makes less difference traditional vs modern than bench rest. In fact I am not sure a modern Schuetzen has any advantages fired from the offhand position. I compete against full on modern rifles and when they beat me it's me they beat not the rifle.

Bench it does make a difference but it's not just the cartridge, combination of stock design heavy short barrels more powerful internal adjustment scopes etc make it difficult for a traditional rifle to compete.   

Way I see it If somebody is going to compete bench might as well go whole hog instead of using say 36x modern scope and holding yourself back with a long 32/40 case half full of powder. That's only my opinion though

Boats

I'll muddy the waters a little more. First decide where you fall on the Tradition scale of single-shot shooters. If you fall more on the traditional side go with the 32-40. If you are looking to see how accurate you can make a falling block rifle shooting plain based lead bullets you may want to look at one of the .357 based cartridges they offer advantages. They will not make a consistent 240 bench shooter a 250 but they may push you to a clean target if you are a consistent 249 shooter. There are different ways to skin the cat if you have chosen the 32-40. Rocky mountain cartridge makes a reduced capacity case. It is a turned brass case with a straight hole bored down through the middle. this gives a powder chamber very similar to what you end up with in the .357 family of cartridges. One word of caution the reduced capacity cartridges give the higher pressure characteristics of the of the .357 based cases so weaker actions are not appropriate for this case. 

40 Rod

Andy Z. and the New England crowd perfer the 38-55 for bench. Andy has shot some pretty good groups with that cartridge. maybe he will weigh in here.

40 Rod

DWS to your point on 38/55 vs 32/40 and offhand.

I think It's all about recoil and fatigue.  I find shooting the Hudson match with the 38/55 it takes more effort than same match with the 32/40.  This from experence with the same gun switch barreled. Basic rule in any firearm competition has always been lightest recoiling cartridge that delivers the required ballistics is going to score higher. 

As the rule relates to Single Shots ? Depends on the match. Under ASSRA rules you could wait out conditions and take 3 days to shoot 100 shots, if so fatigue is not going to be a big factor with the 38/55. I don't know since I usually go right though the targets, probably to the detriment of my scores.

Our Club's Ram Bash we have to shoot in turn 3 shooters side by side one right after the other in 10 shot strings.  Afternoon of that including a dozen sighters and perhaps a shoot off  I know I have shot something end of the day using 38/55 & 300 gr bullets.  I am pretty sure the course of fire and recoil is why the 45/70 shooters never win that match.

I suspect offhand a 7mm or 28 caliber is going to have an advantage something with a pre charged short case  bullet and twist optimoal for the cartridge breech seated.

In fact if somebody was at the absoluete top level and wanted to win single shot matches the rifle to have would look like this. 

Good strong action with center hammer and fast lock time. Nice triggers with a short fat barrel weight to suit what the shooter can handle, more the better. 

Modern internal adjustment 36 X scope. Stocked to suit the shooter with upright head positon high comb and deep prongs to the buttplate Palm rest adustment set for straight line weight transfer rifle to hip bone no curves or deveation. 

My opinion anyway

Boats