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bpjack
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Pope 32-40 first outing
Sep 22nd, 2026 at 1:29pm
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I am at the range with both of my new rifles.  I started with the Pope and used a load and bullet that has worked well in my other rifles. It took 5 shots to get the Lyman receiver sight adjusted. I then shot this group. The 1st shot was the high right one. 100 yds. I moved to 200 as well and it shot well but the lighting wasn’t the best and I didn’t have an adjustable rear aperture. I am going to try again after I am done with the .22. More to follow. 

Jack
  
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JKR
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #1 - Sep 22nd, 2026 at 2:24pm
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Jack,
That’s the kind of start we all hope for first time out with a new rifle. 
Nice one!
  
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calledflyer
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #2 - Sep 22nd, 2026 at 3:58pm
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Looks like the Pope blessed this one. Smiley Smiley
  
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bpjack
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #3 - Sep 22nd, 2026 at 4:22pm
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I am happy with today's results.  Here is the 200 yd group with the same load as the 100 yd group.  1.230". Iron sights.  probably a bit of luck involved.

Jack
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #4 - Sep 22nd, 2026 at 4:31pm
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That's some nice shooting!
  
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bpjack
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #5 - Sep 22nd, 2026 at 4:33pm
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Old Harry is saying 'I told you that my barrels will shoot!"
  
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #6 - Sep 22nd, 2026 at 4:56pm
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But Jack, Pope barrels are known to be pesky finicky and difficult to develop accurate loads with.
How did you do it so fast? 

  
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bpjack
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #7 - Sep 22nd, 2026 at 5:10pm
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I channeled old Harry last night and he said. “Go with what you know, Jack, Go with what works for you”. My Borton/Darr bullet seems to shoot well in all my 32-40s.  The velocity was running around 1350 fps. I tried some higher velocities but the groups opened up. Next outing I will have more lathe bull targets, a tang mounted soule sight with a Merit Eyedisc. Not sure I have a variable aperture eyepiece that will fit the existing receiver mounted Lyman sight.
  
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #8 - Sep 22nd, 2026 at 5:56pm
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Beats the Beatitudes! 

Bet it's the swanky transitioned octagon-to-round barrel. Yep. That's the ticket.

  
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #9 - Sep 22nd, 2026 at 6:09pm
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Jack
If you don't mind sharing, what load were you shooting?
I have an Arowinko-Pope barrel on a Stevens 44 1/2. He made a number of "Pope" barrels back in the 1980s on Pope's rifling machine (from his Jersey City shop after Pope's death). 
I have not been able to get groups that look anything like those you shot and this barrel is essentially a new Pope barrel (or as close as you can get to a new one).
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bpjack
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #10 - Sep 22nd, 2026 at 6:29pm
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My load uses a Hoch version of this mould from CPA.  I was told it was a Bolton/Darr design.  My mould casts around 209 gr in 20-1.  12.8 gr of 4100 and a Remington primer.  The bullet is seated leaving about 1/16" unengraved.
In the Pope it was running about 1350 fps.

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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #11 - yesterday at 4:10am
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Awesome shooting.
  
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #12 - yesterday at 11:55am
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Great shooting, and with iron sights.
I have this mold, I was fortunate to get one of the last batch he made for CPA. It seems to have just the right amount of lube for smokeless.
I would like a similar bullet scaled up for breech seating smokeless 38-55. Does anyone know of a similar design for a 38 that I could get BA or Brooks to make?

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Jack [/quote]
  
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bpjack
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #13 - yesterday at 1:11pm
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Frnkeore used to draw up a bullet design in his software and solicit members here to commit to purchase a mould from NOE who would agree to make that design if they had at least 10 orders. Not sure if NOE is doing that any longer or if Frank is willing to do that.
  
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Re: Pope 32-40 first outing
Reply #14 - yesterday at 1:28pm
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recently i picked up a collection of popes, in it is some pope reloading tools. if you would like to shoot a pope mold i have some in 32 calibre.  contact me and i can help you.   tony<><
  
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