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Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet (Read 646 times)

Green_Frog Frequent Elocutionist Offline "It ain't easy being green" ASSRA Life #281 Posts: 4127 Location: Lynchburg, VA Joined: Apr 18^th, 2004	Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet Aug 7^th, 2025 at 10:11am	Print Post
	Purely on impulse I just bought an old Ideal 31950 mould which is advertised to drop a bullet weighing only 98 grains. I’m guessing this was designed for short range or gallery loads, but I’m not finding much about it. Has anyone used this bullet for short range rounds? I’m wanting it for 25 and 50 yd target use. Any tested loads gladly accepted! Froggie


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jimmy Senior Forum Member Offline Now available in Oklahoma. Posts: 346 Location: Skiatook Joined: May 12^th, 2009	Re: Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet Reply #1 - Aug 8^th, 2025 at 2:47pm	Print Post
	Want to sell a few of those bullets?


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frnkeore Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7483 Location: Central Point, OR 97502 Joined: Jun 16^th, 2010	Re: Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet Reply #2 - Aug 8^th, 2025 at 6:35pm	Print Post
	Are you going to load it sub-sonic?

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Babydriver Full Member Offline Posts: 133 Joined: Mar 22^nd, 2024	Re: Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet Reply #3 - Aug 8^th, 2025 at 6:41pm	Print Post
	I have an old Ideal Hand Book no. 12 and it shoes your 31950. Short range whatever that is. In looking at the book further I have a 37583, regular 38-55 M short range. 155 gr. I have ner cast it. Might be interesting to try. Vic


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boats Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7647 Location: Virginia Joined: Apr 23^rd, 2004	Re: Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet Reply #4 - Aug 8^th, 2025 at 6:42pm	Print Post
	I’ve used 32/40 loads (with correction) 115gr bullets at the Conestoga clubs winter gallery matches. Sub sonic is required. Interesting the match is CF RF iron sight any sight. 4 classes. Sub sonic CF & RF scores nearly identical. Unfortunately have not been able to attend for some time. It’s a great match Boats
	« Last Edit: Aug 8^th, 2025 at 11:10pm by boats »

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boats Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7647 Location: Virginia Joined: Apr 23^rd, 2004	Re: Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet Reply #5 - Aug 8^th, 2025 at 11:09pm	Print Post
	Can’t find my old load data easily but remember how I developed the load. Sharpe’s “complete guide” shows 125 gr lead bullets with 7.0 Unique at 1425 FPS 12,500 lbs Breech pressure. My bullets are 115 grs. I started with the “Complete Guide” 125 gr recommended load and reduced powder until the bullets were sub sonic. Sub Sonic judged by lack of crack sound when fired. Testing was shooting offhand targets match distance and course of fire. Then shooting the CPA With it’s Rimfire barrel same course of fire. After comparing targets and scores. Rim and center fire targets looked the same, offhand groups and scores. Left the charge as is. Like most gallery matches Conestoga is offhand, no reason for me to test bench rested. If bench rest gallery is intended bench testing should be done. I’ve never seen a bench rest gallery competition . May be some out there. Boats


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Swede Junior Member Offline Posts: 54 Location: Karlskrona Joined: Sep 12^th, 2007	Re: Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet Reply #6 - Aug 15^th, 2025 at 9:14am	Print Post
	I have the 32359 115gn but have not tried it yet


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frnkeore Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 7483 Location: Central Point, OR 97502 Joined: Jun 16^th, 2010	Re: Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet Reply #7 - Aug 15^th, 2025 at 12:12pm	Print Post
	What I did for my German Schuetzen rifle (8.15x46r), was use 32 cal buck shot and 1.5 gr B'Eye. I modified the cases to take shotgun primers so, I could push them in and out, by hand. Like Boats, I tested for subsonic, by lowering the powder charge, until there was no crack. Case capacity of 32/40 is just a little larger but, you can use that 1.5 gr load and go up or, start at 2.0 gr and go down, if needed.

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Oleblacksmith Participating Member Offline Posts: 45 Joined: Jan 10^th, 2024	Re: Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet Reply #8 - Aug 15^th, 2025 at 5:15pm	Print Post
	I'm sure someone has posted this site in the past but it has pretty fair descriptions of Lyman and Ideal molds. (You need to *Login* or *Register* to view media files and links) From the site-- "31950. This is the factory .32-40-98 M. short range. Tool for regular cartridge will not seat it. No. 3 special tool only, made for it. (PB, FN, 98 - TP is 295) [might also be 105 gr. ed.]"


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GT Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 2216 Location: Northeast Wyoming Joined: Jun 28^th, 2015	Re: Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet Reply #9 - Aug 15^th, 2025 at 11:29pm	Print Post
	Froggie, I'm watching this with interest. I picked up one of these molds some time ago, tried it at 200 yds just for grins, it was like a round ball, had a large pattern on paper. I'd read that it was intended like you described (indoor gallery shooting) but I've never got back to it. I have a couple of 32-40 builds shooting now so I may revisit it again. GT

	"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk" T. A. Edison "The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right" M.T.
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calledflyer Frequent Elocutionist Offline Posts: 3776 Joined: Mar 9^th, 2015	Re: Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet Reply #10 - Aug 16^th, 2025 at 9:25am	Print Post
	Far from being an expert and not ever shooting a featherweight slug in a .32-40, such a bullet may have done fair in the original barrel with its 16:1 twist, but a modern barrel with a fast rate may not do the same. I could be all wet here, but maybe worth thinking of.


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Green_Frog Frequent Elocutionist Offline "It ain't easy being green" ASSRA Life #281 Posts: 4127 Location: Lynchburg, VA Joined: Apr 18^th, 2004	Re: Lighter than normal 32-40 bullet Reply #11 - Aug 25^th, 2025 at 7:10pm	Print Post
	Testing was shooting offhand targets match distance and course of fire. Then shooting the CPA With it’s Rimfire barrel same course of fire. After comparing targets and scores. Rim and center fire targets looked the same, offhand groups and scores. Left the charge as is. Like most gallery matches Conestoga is offhand, no reason for me to test bench rested. If bench rest gallery is intended bench testing should be done. I’ve never seen a bench rest gallery competition . May be some out there. Boats [/quote] Thanks to all, especially to you boats. I definitely want some tested starting loads to get an idea where I should begin. How about it, boats? Any chance of seeing you for what may be Chinquapin’s swan song next month? Froggie


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