Timber, I should have been more specific. my 32-40 loads have a 1/32" wad at the mouth of the case, just to contain the Powder. The case seats the bullet into the throat/Rifling. Use that procedure with all my 32-40s and never have had a problem. The 38-55 I was testing is a Pope and I approached that with care. tried it out first on a Winchester with Nickle Steel barrel. No problems and then have used the same procedure in my Pope, again no problems and have shot it a lot. But I have a wad punch that gives me a significant over size wad in the 38-55 case such that I have to use a shouldered punch to get the wad down into the case. It is tight enough so that no amount of bumping it or slapping it around will jar the wad loose. Frank was right to warn you. I keep the wads .100 off the powder so that I can shake the loaded case and hear the powder shake inside. I have never rung a Barrel or chamber. My standard load in 32-40 is 15.0 Grs 4759, CCI Large Pistol Primer. In 38-55 18 Grs 4759, same primer CCI 300. Neither of these loads show any sign of High Pressure at all. Some of these shells have had over 1000 shots fired and are still in use. Now if I were a Bench shooter I might not like the results. But as my interest is Offhand I am satisfied with the apparent accuracy. HTH. Regards, FITZ.
P.S. I have never said that 4759 was the very best Powder for these Rifles. Just that I can with a little effort find a good and acceptable shooting load. What I do like is that in these calibers with the Powder charges I have listed it is Impossible to throw a double charge that you do not notice. Try it, 30 Grs 4759 runs right over the top of a 32-40 cartridge. 36 Grs 4759 does the same in a 38-55 case. HTH Regards, FITZ.

Timber, I am shooting a 32-40 with the same barrel maker.  I am using a Saeco bullet and 14.2 gr. of IMR 4227 and the last group was .8" at 100 yards.  This is also the load I was recommended from CPA.

Just saying......Merry Crhistmas

Thanks Traveler! And Merry Christmas! Where do I find/buy that bullet? I haven't found on Google yet and how heavy?  I'm having hard time with local gunshops having 4227.  Going to have to order.

I do think the chamber in my barrel is coned for breach seating.  I was messing around with bullet seating depth and my 200 grain bullet can stick way out (maybe 20% seats in brass) and can stick in chamber with force and just barely extract and bullet stays in brass.

Thanks again.

Timber, here is the link to the bullet mold I am using.  It is shown under the Traditional Bullet Molds, as number 732, and is described as 200 grains - mine come out at 205 gr with 24:1 (lead:tin).

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Get a Lyman "M" die to expand the necks and create a seat for the bullet so you won't shave the lead on seating and also a chamfer and deburring tool to give the new brass a once over.

Thanks!  So glad the wife doesn't know who Timber is...The guy who is "going broke" "saving money"...but I do need one.

Well said Jack...

New Year resolution was no more toys!  I'm not missing out on anything, as it seems I need a wheelbarrow full of money to use the toys I have.

Still ain't found the magic...I haven't obtained a group less than 1.5" at 100 yards so far; my Winchester 52 .22lr with CCI SV will do that and less at 100 yards.   

Oh well...wouldn't want this to be easy (because so far it is not).

More powder charge combinations...bullets...primers...etc. etc. etc.  But I did get a neck sizing die!   

Breech seating venture and expense reserved for next year...

Thanks all.