As my previous posts indicate, I am new to the Schuetzen game.  I very much appreciate the info and advice offered, but still have much to learn.  Given the dearth of available published loading info, I am in the uncomfortable position of groping for good starting loads for my .32 RKS.  Ron Smith suggested AA #9, and I tried 9-11.5 grs., with the latter giving about 1250 fps, but considerable variation.  Case is 1.420", bullet a 222 gr. spitzer cast 24:1.  Edited to add:  barrel is a Ron Smith gain twist, 1:18" or so to start, ending at 1:11.5"

Question:  What velocity is likely to produce the best accuracy with this case and bullet?  Are there other powders I should consider?  Any suggestions for a starting charge would also be appreciated.

Paul

In my .32 RKS gain twist barrel finishing at a 11.5:1 twist I  shoot a 235 grain Paul Jones spitzer at 1,526 fps using 12.4 grains of H108 or equivalent loads of AA#9, AA 4100 or MP300 to get the same velocity.


Should be starting at 1400 fps; but faster loads are usually more accurate until you have too much pressure and start dimpling your cases from gases going around case mouth.
Some of this is minimized by belling the case mouth slightly to get a better seal of the case in the chamber.

I use Rem 7 1/2 primers.
Picture of my home made belling tool from modifying old .223 FL sizer by replacing de-priming rod with an adjustable belling rod.

As I have indicated before it achieves 1/2 MOA capability.

A few years ago I did an article of all the .357 based cartridges I could find at the time. One of the things that I found was that no matter the length all the cartridges were very similar as to load. The recommended loads were within a couple of tenths of each other across the board. My recommendation to anyone new to loading these cartridges is to take the loading information that can be found for the .32 MS, decrees it by 10% and slowly increase until you get best accuracy. Keep a sharp eye out for signs of pressure as they do increase quickly at a cirtian point. But all in all I think you will find your sweet spot between 1450 and 1500 FPS depending on your barrel.

40 Rod