It's been a while since I worked loads for my MN, but I got to thinking about the 32 sdapters and MN bore size. I have used them in the past but they can be a pain single loading and if you eject them in the prairie, they could be gone forever. Anyway, my carbine does not have the tightest bore, so I figured I would roll my own 32 load.
Now before anything, this is my load for my rifle. If you do not know your bore size, or know anything about reloading, do this at your own risk. In gallery loads, you have a possibility of squibing a round, or if you use pistol powders, the chance of secondary ignition. This load was shot from an M44, if you try this in a 91/30 verify after each shot that the bullet has left the barrel.
That being said,
Many have heard of "the load", in using red dot or unique and cast bullets in thieir mosins. I have done this in the past, but always worry about the proper placement of the powder in the case. 7 gr of Unique is not much, and I always worry about double charging a case.
Enter trailboss, TB is a very light and bulky powder, used mostly in cowboy action pistols. This powder has also found its place as a reduced load powder, the Hodgdons manual has it listed for several high power rifle cals.
So I loaded up some 71 gr midway 32 fmj bullets over 12.3 of TB. The 2.8cc Lee dipper will give about 12.3 -13 of TB in one throw. Seated the bullets to 2.450 and gave them a try.
Very pleasant shoot, no recoil and just plain fun. The 25Y group was rather impressive, the 50Y was somewhat of paper plate accuracy.
Now this is not meant to be an accuracy load by any means, just something for plinking cans, or maybe squirrel or bunny hunts.
The beauty is that the fmj bullet loads smoothly from the magazine.
I did try a 90 gr 32 cal lead pistol swc bullet, but it was a complete no-go. You can see in the pic the perfectly round holes to the outside of the target.
So if you looking for a fun load and don't want to cast, here is a fun option.
Cool, Ive been doing this too. We have a great time plinking pistol targets with full size battle rifles. The heavy weight of the rifle easily soaks up any recoil.
Ive enjoyed the .32 insert with .32 s&w long. The .32 s&w long is a real cheap and easy reload.
In addition I have been doing "the load" type cartridges. I've been using around 10gn unique and up. Ill have to check my notebook. Trying to get a load that gives a better seal in the chamber. The powder load doesnt fill up much and some say to make sure you tap it to settle it on the primer but Unique seems to be forgiving in that regard. I just started using TrailBoss, great powder.
I've been using the 100gr FMJ (.312) and the 115gr (.313) cast from Midway. Made these up for 7.62x54r, .303. and 7.7 Japanese. Been getting around 2" groups @ 50
I have begun playing with plinker loads myself. I have a bunch of IMR4227, so I developed a load of 31 gr. behind a Hornady 100gr HP/XTP .312" bullet. It is surprisingly accurate, but the low pressure barely seals the chamber and you need to tip up the muzzle before firing. Oddly, the cases grew shorter and unevenly to boot!
Other powders like Trailboss and Red Dot are on my radar for further experimentation.
I now have a 7.62x54R neck die, so hopefully that will help on the chamber seal. Also, I found that the PRVI and JMS/Igman cases are lighter that Lapua and Norma cases, so I'll start using them for the plinker loads and save the Scandinavian heavyweights for full loads.
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Now officially collecting Mosin M38s!
In my M44 I use the Lee 90 TL .314 SWC and push it with 3.5 grs. of Alliant Bullseye. MV runs just under 1000 fps. and will shoot 2" groups at 50 yds. all day long.
If you don't cast and a .314 dia. cast lead bullets will work for you you can substitute the Hornady .314 32 cal. LSWC. I tried those out before I bought my mold and the results were excellent as well,I gave the Hornady LSWC bullet a light coat of thinned Lee Alox just for good measure.
As a side note the Lee bullet can be sized down to .311 with no issues and works equally as well in .308 cal. rifles like 30-30,308 and 30-06 working between 3.0 to 3.5 grs. of Bullseye to find your sweet spot. All loads are subsonic.
