Here's some pics of trap guns. The first is pictured in Frank F. Conley's book The American Single Barrel Trap Gun. It is A Grade #214. The other pics are of that gun #214 next to a Lefever Trap Gun for comparison.

Here are a few pics of some double barrel guns. The top gun is a Hollenbeck 16 Ga. A Grade w/damascus barrels. The bottom gun is a 12 Ga B Grade Royal Arms fluid steel example. Love these guns!!!

From the 1908 Catalog showing Three Barrel Gun Co. receiver...

Trap3

A C grade ejector hollenbeck.

Attachment 66163

That is gorgeous :shock:

I load 32/40 for Schuetzen Rifles. Many different possable loadings, I think your three barrel gun would be a lot happier with the old factory lead bullet load. 165 grain @ 1400 FPS. 32/40 can give good target & I expect Turkey results at 1250 fps too. In fact for gallery matches were sub sonic is required I use a 115 gr bullet @ 950 FPS.

There were factory HS loads at 1900 FPS with 165 G Jacketed bullets too. Probably way to hot for a break action. I have several old loading manuals with data covering some modern powders like Unique and 4227 if you plan to load. You can make 32/40 cases out of easier to obtain 38/55 too.

William

William I actually shot the .32-40 barrel on Thursday and accurate it is not. I had to hold about 2 feet below the center to hit center. :rotf:

I don’t know what to say about your point of impact without some details . Sometimes a heavy lead bullet at modest velocity will throw high due to recoil. 32/40 is pretty flexable within limits. You might try varying the charge. That is if loading your cartridges, if factory ammunition high strikes would not surprise me.

If it was mine I would pick the expected range , Turkey likely distance for example, then bullet weight, store bought 32 caliber lead 165 grs easiest to obtain. Then run test with very light charges of Unique to obtain suitable point of impact. If velocity over Uniques ability is needed then 4227.

If you would like to see published loads from old manuals with modest charges let me know.

William