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Very Hot Topic (More than 25 Replies) BPTR in 32-20 (Read 8907 times)
MartiniBelgian
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BPTR in 32-20
Nov 23rd, 2018 at 6:33am
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I've been now working on and off with my latest rifle, a BSA martini model 12/15 converted to CF and rebarreled with a Lothar Walther .308 1 in 12" twist barrel
The overall goal has been to develop the rifle into a short-range BPTR, and I'm slowly getting there...

I've been finding out what it likes, and what it doesn't like, and how to do fouling management between shots - a pretty important factor, it seems; more so that with the big .45's.

Yesterday evening, I managed to shoot the target below:
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This was shot prone, with slings, unsupported, at 75m.  The target is a 100 rifle target reduced to 75m.

Load data as follows:
Case: Remington 32-20
Primer: Fed. SP
Bullet: 151gr 30:1 RN bullet of my own design, made by Boomer's, cast 30:1
Card overpowder wad
18.4 grs of Swiss 1 1/2Fg

Wiping between shots with 2 patches, moistened with WD40, pushed through in a single pass from breech to muzzle.

The 1st shot from the clean barrel was a low 8 at 6 o'clock, and I also pulled the other 8  Undecided.

Still, the rest seems pretty promising, especially with the nice cluster in the 10-ring.

The bullet is not the typical .32-20 bullet, but is quite a bit heavier - I designed it myself as I am a firm believer is the use of heavy-for-cartridge bullets for optimum accuracy with BP.

Now some more experimenting with seating depth, some 2Fg swiss,....
  
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CW
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #1 - Nov 23rd, 2018 at 8:32am
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That sounds like a neat rifle project. Also very conservative with lead and powder.

Just to get scale, what is the width of the target rings?

What kind of match would you shoot this at? 100M or 200M prone match or is there such an event where you live? 

Thanks, -CW
  
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marlinguy
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #2 - Nov 23rd, 2018 at 9:46am
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Is a Martini legal to compete in BPTR?
  

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Premod70
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #3 - Nov 23rd, 2018 at 10:12am
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Instead of WD-40 on the patches try water soluble machine oil. The water helps to soften any powder residue that may remain in the barrel.
  
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MartiniBelgian
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #4 - Nov 23rd, 2018 at 10:27am
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Target dimensions:  10-ring about 24mm (0.94 inches), each consecutive ring will add the same.  So the 9-ring would be 1.88" etc.

The goal is to use this from 50 to 300 meters, 50 m standing, 100, 200 and 300 prone.  Most matches here are actually shot at 100.  For longer range, I need to go to the UK.

And yes, a Martini would even be legal in BPTR in the US, not in BP silhouette though.  But then again, I'm not shooting in the US.
« Last Edit: Nov 23rd, 2018 at 10:36am by MartiniBelgian »  
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GT
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #5 - Nov 23rd, 2018 at 12:16pm
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MB,
Thanks for posting, looks like a lot of fun!  Please let us know how the 32-20 does at 300 for you. I built one in a Ballard and it does very well at 200 but when I went beyond, the wind had it's way with me.  It does the gongs OK but paper was humbling.
Greg
  

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MartiniBelgian
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #6 - Nov 23rd, 2018 at 12:23pm
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Greg,

That's the reason for the heavy-for-calibre bullet.  Although, to be honest, beyond 300 would be really stretching it.  I'm not really expecting any benefits when compared to the .45's at 300.  At 100 and 200 it will give me a clear advantage, but at 300 it will be at best at equal terms...
  
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art_ruggiero
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #7 - Nov 23rd, 2018 at 3:27pm
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good to hear from you gert   keep it coming   best art ruggiero
  
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MartiniBelgian
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #8 - Dec 21st, 2018 at 1:39pm
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Good evening gents,

I had another go yesterday evening with the little rifle - still shooting prone with sling, no support at 75 meters (82 yds). 
The only variation is the powder: this time I used Swiss FFg instead of 1 1/2Fg, same volume - which came out at 18.2 grains; so 0.2 grains lighter than the same volume of Swiss 1 1/2Fg.

The target below shows 10 shots fired, no fouler, and wiped between shots with 2 patches moistened with WD40. I'm pretty happy with the results, obviously... The group measures 1.58 inches at the outer edges, so 1.27 center-to-center, which makes it slightly under 2 MOA.

This is with the original BSA peep sights, aperture rear and front.
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gunlaker
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #9 - Dec 21st, 2018 at 6:43pm
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That looks pretty good for fixed ammo in a small cartridge using black powder!  I've started doing something similar for prone practice in winter, but with a .32-40 highwall and breech seated smokeless powder.   

Chris.
  
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scharfe
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #10 - Dec 21st, 2018 at 7:32pm
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I just read your post and happened to remember this.
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                                                                        Tim
  
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MartiniBelgian
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #11 - Dec 22nd, 2018 at 8:18am
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Yes, seems like 32-20 will do it with some tweaks.  Fast twist and heavy bullet will certainly help.
  
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beltfed
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #12 - Dec 22nd, 2018 at 3:47pm
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I just wish my orig. Rem Hepburn 32-20 had a faster twist.
beltfed/arnie
  
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MartiniBelgian
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #13 - Dec 23rd, 2018 at 12:17pm
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IMOthe ain advantageis that you have a more compact rifle that balances better prone, combined of course with the reduced recoil of the little round.
But it'l not all smell of roses -  fouling management seems to be quite a bit more important than with the big .45's, even the slightest bit of leading will how up in the group on target.
Seating depth  (or cartridge OAL) also seems to be pretty important, a compression fit of the bullet into the rifling just won't work - barely touching seems to be the sweet spot.

I still have to chrono the loads, but obviously it won't be showing top MV's - which wasn't the intention anyway.

One of the main advantages is that it does tend to lead yourself to believe that you're a pretty good shot  Cool
  
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Re: BPTR in 32-20
Reply #14 - Dec 28th, 2018 at 3:20pm
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BSA martini model 12/15 converted to CF and rebarreled with a Lothar Walther .308 1 in 12" twist barrel

Your first line made me think (wow) there's a brave man and other thoughts.
  
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