Hi guys, I have a Stevens 44 in 32-40 WInchester. This is not the stronger framed Stevens 44 1/2 so I have to keep the chamber pressure down to that of blk powder. At present I'm shooting 12.2 grains of IMR 4227 powder with a Lyman 319247 bullet. It's not shooting too bad but the velocity is arouns 1150 fps. When I go up a grain or two on the powder the accuracy goes to hell. This is with both fixed ammo as well as bullets that are breach seated.Would like suggestion for different powders and charge weight. I do have some SR4759 but no data on it where to start. Thanks Sendaro

these are suggestions only, not tried by me, but a fellow in n.d. in a 94 win.. i would trust these, as i have seen what he can do w/sharps rifles and paper patched bullets at 500+ yds.. don't know if mt. baldy bullets are avail. or not, haven't had a chance to get to it yet, but 165 gc w/13.2 4759, 91/2 rem. primers. also 3031 20-24 grs. nei 165 gc, 1300-1600 fps, 9 1/2 rem.. probably hot for your stevens, so start lower. i have used 5744 in my hi wall w/185 gc 16 gr. and powder didn't all burn. his load is 20 grs. so maybe i'm not building enough pressure. good luck, keep us posted as i'm just getting started w/mine, too.tom.

T Square, Thanks for the suggestions.Have been on the ASSRA form reading what the guys have to say about the Stevens 44 in 32-40. They are saying that the 44 action is weak and that the pressures need to be low like blk powder to keep things safe. I plan to take their advice and keep in low. Not looking to make a 32-40 Swift, but rather make my 32-40 as accurate as I can. Will try the SR4756 and see what it does.If I come across anything that is outstandly accurate will post the results. At present the IMR4227 is producing the best accuracy at 12.2 grains with all the cast bullets that I've tried. The SAECO 200 grain bullet is not working for me at all. I believe that the 1 in 16" twist is not fast enough for the long bullet. They are not key holing but the holes in the target paper are not nice and round. It appears that they were made by a bullet with a yaw. If I knew how to post photos on this form I have several that the viewers would enjoy and I'm sure would find interesting.If you like high walls take a look at the November issue of Precision Shooting. There is one on the cover and an article that I wrote about one that belonged to Mike Walker in 2R. May all your shots find their intended mark, Sendaro

Sendaro,

NOT 4756!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4756 is a fast-burning pistol powder.

You want to use SR4759, which has a burning rate similar to 2400 and 4227.

I have no personal experience with the Stevens 44, but you need to be VERY careful-the .32-40 is right on the edge for that action.

I use 14.0-14.5 gr. of 4227 in a CPA action, which is much stronger, for ~1440 fps with a 200 gr. breech-seated bullet. You probably need to stay well below that load.

Clarence

ClaMar, Thanks for the information. My mistake on the powder id. The powder I have is SR-4759. It's an old can with the gold colored back ground. Can still smell the either in the can and it looks good as new. What is the twist rate in your rifle? Mine is a 1 in 16" twist that I believe is too slow for the 200 grain bullet. Bullets in the 158 to 170 grain weight range (under 1" in lgt) seem to shoot better than the longer ones in my rifle. I'm new to this and their are no shooters in my area to learn from. Have been a shooter and hand loader since 1963, but that was with modern center fire rifles and handguns. Just love the way that this old Stevens rifle looks, and feels when I bring it to shoulder.Have no intension of hunting deer with it, but rather plinking and maybe a woodchuck or two. Want to learn more, and would be very happy to listen to suggestion and advice from those in the know about these old single shot rifles. thanks again. Sendaro

Sendaro,

That must be a really old can of SR4759. I've been shooting it since the early '90's, and all the cans I've bought have been the purple color.

You might try the ASSRA website or the Wyoming Shooting Union website. Both of them have a lot of information on Scheutzen shooting, and the .32-40 is one of the more popular calibers.

My rifle has a Douglas 1:15 twist with a chamber specially cut for breech-seating. It seems to stabilize even a 200 gr. spitzer just fine, although the one I like best is the Paul Jones mould based on the Barnett tapered design. Try different powders-they make a difference in my rifle. I have some turned Rocky Mountain cases that use small rifle primers that I hope to try in the spring.

Just thought of something: Saeco makes a tapered mould that comes in two lengths, 200 and 180 (I think) gr. It has a flat point and may work well in the slower twist.

Some shooters have said that a bullet just barely stable, even showing evidence of wobble as it goes through the 200 yd. target, can produce excellent accuracy.

Good luck in your search for lighter bullets that shoot well. That's a fine old rifle!

Clarence

as i'm only the second owner of this rifle, got it from original owners grandson, i got the original (?) mould w/it. winchester flat base semi-ptd. 165 gr.. haven't cast any with it yet, but he told me g/pa used to shoot schuetzen around buffalo,n.y. with it 1890's thru 19 teens. of course no records from then, dang it! but i picked up some 4759 to try and hopefully pretty soon. keep you posted, tom. thanks clarence, any help is greatly appreciated

t square, Please keep me posted if you should come up with any loading data for the SR-4759 powder in the 32-40.I like the idea that the Sr-4759 has more bulk, and the IMR4227 at 12.2 grains is leaving about 65% of the case empty. thanks, Sendaro

Clamar, I'm sure that the can of SR-4759 is old but it smells like it's new when I open it. I have started searching imformation on the ASSRA and have found helpful info there. I will continue to do so. Sure would like to have one of them CPA 44s in 32-40, but can't justify the price of a new one. Maybe I'll come across a used on some day. There is nothing going on in my aea of up state NY where shooters are shooting these types of rifles. Funny thing is that Harvey Donaldson lived about 8 miles from where I have lived all my life. Old Harvey was always hanging out at the Pine Tree Rifle Club and I remember him well from my teen age years and shooting there. Wish that I knew back then what I know now of Harveys past shooting experines. Thanks for the suggestions. Sendaro