Why the "long rifle"? - Page 2

Jim Watson · January 14, 2020, 01:17 PM

Powders improved... for a while.

There was the gunzine writer who tried the story of the .32 Winchester Special, said to be meant to shoot smokeless factory loads and reloads with black. His rifle shot like any other 1894 with smokeless but was disappointing with fresh Goex.
He found an old can of DuPont powder. How old he didn't say, but old enough that an antique collector wanted the empty can for its label. Business picked immediately. The old powder gave higher velocity, less fouling and better accuracy.

When I got into BPCR, the smart money was on Swiss powder. I know I could not get equal performance from Goex. Goex then brought out Express powder with improved milling. It was getting a good reputation but did not stay on the market long. This was along about the time Hodgdon bought up Goex and I wonder if it were a product line consolidation measure.
They now offer Olde Eynsford as an upgrade.
I still have some Swiss if I want to get back into that game.

bamaranger · January 14, 2020, 06:39 PM

So Jim, your logic is that the longer barrel allowed for better use of the variable quality of powders of the day.......am I following right?

Thus....powder quality, or lack of it, was primarily driving the long barrel design?

Jim Watson · January 14, 2020, 08:46 PM

That is what Wyosmith says.

January 14, 2020, 06:39 PM	#27
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	So...... So Jim, your logic is that the longer barrel allowed for better use of the variable quality of powders of the day.......am I following right? Thus....powder quality, or lack of it, was primarily driving the long barrel design?

January 14, 2020, 01:17 PM	#26
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	Powders improved... for a while. There was the gunzine writer who tried the story of the .32 Winchester Special, said to be meant to shoot smokeless factory loads and reloads with black. His rifle shot like any other 1894 with smokeless but was disappointing with fresh Goex. He found an old can of DuPont powder. How old he didn't say, but old enough that an antique collector wanted the empty can for its label. Business picked immediately. The old powder gave higher velocity, less fouling and better accuracy. When I got into BPCR, the smart money was on Swiss powder. I know I could not get equal performance from Goex. Goex then brought out Express powder with improved milling. It was getting a good reputation but did not stay on the market long. This was along about the time Hodgdon bought up Goex and I wonder if it were a product line consolidation measure. They now offer Olde Eynsford as an upgrade. I still have some Swiss if I want to get back into that game.

January 14, 2020, 08:46 PM	#28
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	That is what Wyosmith says.