Guys I recently purchased a 32-40 single shot. I've contacted a gentleman who will make me a breech seater, so I've got that base covered, and purchased a Saeco mould.

I'm reading all I can here, and I thank you all for your wisdom on these pages. 

I viewed a youtube video from ShootingUSA or something, which featured Scheutzen rifle. I watched the shooter load his rifle, and he put what looked like a thin felt wad into the case after charging it, and tapping it on his table to "settle the charge", and tamped the wad down with a tool what looked like maybe 2/3 of an inch or so, raised the rifle, muzzle skyward, and then fired it. His shots on target were amazing.

I've spoken with Erik Keel on the phone, and he was extremely helpful to me getting me started. Thanks Erik! I don't remember asking Erik about this wad business, or if I did, I don't remember the answer.

The use of such a small charge of IMR 4227 in a comparatively large case has me mystified. I tend to think the wad maybe keeps the powder close to the primer, to assure consistency, and I know from BPCR experience that a wad helps preserve the base of the bullet when using that propellant.

Anybody here use a wad like this with smokeless? I reckon I'd ask you fellas and learn from your experiences.

stubbicat
There are pros and cons about using an over powder wad with smokeless powder in the 32-40 and a breech seated bullet. Some have expressed improved accuracy when using a wad, others have had the opposite experience.
I experimented with cork and card wads seated .2" off the powder using 4227 in my 32-40. I had about 1 out of 3 shots where the card or cork wad stayed in the cartridge case (turned side-ways in the case). When I noticed a wad still in the barrel ahead of the chamber after a shot, I ended my use of wads with smokeless. This was a relatively short lived experiment and I went back to using no wad.
My recommendation is to shoot without a wad (I've been doing it for years). Experiment if you choose, with an over powder wad but keep an eye out for a wad, or fragment thereof, in the cartridge case or bore.
Good shooting and best of luck, schuetzen is a great game.

I take it from the posts that a wad isn't necessary. It may be helpful, but maybe not. It does present a possible issue if it doesn't expel from the case or barrel.

So when I look at a 14 grain charge in the case, there isn't much powder in there. Anybody have inconsistent performance due to what is a pretty small charge which may migrate away from the primer due to lifting or positioning the rifle in his shoulder to pull a shot?

The pinch of cotton may serve to keep the powder positioned near the primer.

I reckon  I'll just have to experiment and see what I learn.

Thanks fellas. Much to learn.

Yep. RSW's illustration demonstrates what I suspected. I wonder if the gentleman on the video put his wad about ⅔ of an inch into the case to form a sort of dam so that his charge didn't migrate any further forward than what is illustrated by RSW? It appeared to be a felt wad, near as I can tell.

Another question: I have to send 3 fired cases off to the gentleman who will make the breech seater tool, and what I have now is cases which have been FL resized by the previous owner. I reckon I'll have to make fixed ammunition with the 200 grain Saeco bullet in order to fire them. I wonder if any of you has a load suggestion for this task? 

By my way of thinking, if 14 grains of 4227 is good for breech seated bullets, those seated in the case sufficiently to fit into the chamber would likely be overcharged at 14 grains. I have other powders I can use, but before I go charging off willy nilly, perhaps one of you has a suggestion for powder and charge weight for me to get some cases properly fire formed to my chamber?

ETA: IMR website lists 13.5 of H4227 as a maximum load with a 208 grain bullet, so I figure I'll load 13 grains and be on the safe side. Interestingly, they list a Remington large pistol primer.

The bore at the muzzle is .322" as slugged.

Thanks.
Stubb.

stubbicat
Firing fixed ammo is one solution to fire-forming cartridge cases. Another is to flair the case mouth so that you get a noticeable amount of drag when the flair engages the chamber. You should notice the drag when a case still needs about 3/4 to 1/2" to fully chamber. With a breech seated bullet and 14 grains of 4227, the cases will be fully formed after a couple of firings. Remember to index the cases so they go in the rifle with the same orientation each time.
Please let us know as you progress.

to fire form you can take a dowel and tap the bullet in since you do not have a breech seater. I would still flair the case mouth as mentioned. Also I know someone who use I believe cream of wheat on top of powder charge and a wad on top to keep in place with no bullet to fire form cases. I have not tried this method so I do not know what % of charge and the effectiveness of this method. Hopefully someone else who uses this method can chime in.

The way I pick a load for CofW/corn meal, fire forming, is look in loading manuals (cast bullet) and pick the highest powder charge, with the lightest bullet, then sub the bullet for corn meal and cap it off with a bullet lube wad.

Frank

frnkeore wrote on Aug 20^th, 2015 at 3:59pm:

Thanks again fellas. I hadn't thought to do the cream of wheat exercise. Never done it before. Now, I don't know much, but I would anticipate a smaller diameter, smooth bore, after engaging in such an exercise! Clean up must be quite the ordeal. A wad of bullet lube, eh on the case mouth, to keep it all in?

I wonder... do you suppose that the CoW over a stout powder charge would sting squirrels off the porch?...