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I’ve loaded the .33 WCF for a lot of decades and have researched loads a good bit over the years. I was fascinated to read Mike Venturino’s section on the .33. Mike was not having good luck with his .33 using standard powders and had the revelation to use slower powders such as H4350. I would have never considered that, but Mike had strong success (e.g. increased accuracy and elimination of extraction problems). Personally, I haven’t had accuracy or extraction problems with standard loads (and always load on the lighter side of factory ballistics – as has been suggested by several above).
steve004 said
I’ve loaded the .33 WCF for a lot of decades and have researched loads a good bit over the years. I was fascinated to read Mike Venturino’s section on the .33. Mike was not having good luck with his .33 using standard powders and had the revelation to use slower powders such as H4350. I would have never considered that, but Mike had strong success (e.g. increased accuracy and elimination of extraction problems). Personally, I haven’t had accuracy or extraction problems with standard loads (and always load on the lighter side of factory ballistics – as has been suggested by several above).
It appears that the consensus from all of us who have loaded for the 33 WCF, is to load it for slightly less than factory specifications. Oddly, nobody mentioned using IMR 3031 (and I should have). I used 38 gr of 3031 with the Hornady 200 gr FP bullets, and it generated a load just under 2,000 fps. The maximum load listed for the IMR 3031 was 40 grains.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
steve004 said
I’ve loaded the .33 WCF for a lot of decades and have researched loads a good bit over the years. I was fascinated to read Mike Venturino’s section on the .33. Mike was not having good luck with his .33 using standard powders and had the revelation to use slower powders such as H4350. I would have never considered that, but Mike had strong success (e.g. increased accuracy and elimination of extraction problems). Personally, I haven’t had accuracy or extraction problems with standard loads (and always load on the lighter side of factory ballistics – as has been suggested by several above).
It appears that the consensus from all of us who have loaded for the 33 WCF, is to load it for slightly less than factory specifications. Oddly, nobody mentioned using IMR 3031 (and I should have). I used 38 gr of 3031 with the Hornady 200 gr FP bullets, and it generated a load just under 2,000 fps. The maximum load listed for the IMR 3031 was 40 grains.
Bert
IMR 3031 is a powder I have commonly used. I’ll bet I have used it in some of my .33’s but will have to check my loading binder to know for sure.
steve004 said
Bert H. said
steve004 said
I’ve loaded the .33 WCF for a lot of decades and have researched loads a good bit over the years. I was fascinated to read Mike Venturino’s section on the .33. Mike was not having good luck with his .33 using standard powders and had the revelation to use slower powders such as H4350. I would have never considered that, but Mike had strong success (e.g. increased accuracy and elimination of extraction problems). Personally, I haven’t had accuracy or extraction problems with standard loads (and always load on the lighter side of factory ballistics – as has been suggested by several above).
It appears that the consensus from all of us who have loaded for the 33 WCF, is to load it for slightly less than factory specifications. Oddly, nobody mentioned using IMR 3031 (and I should have). I used 38 gr of 3031 with the Hornady 200 gr FP bullets, and it generated a load just under 2,000 fps. The maximum load listed for the IMR 3031 was 40 grains.
Bert
IMR 3031 is a powder I have commonly used. I’ll bet I have used it in some of my .33’s but will have to check my loading binder to know for sure.
I took a peek at my binder this morning. It turns out that I’ve used IMR 3031 more than any other powder in my .33’s. I see my loads were either 36.6 grains or 38 grains. Most commonly, they were 38 grains. These were loaded with 200 grain Hornady (old style flat point bullets). Bert and I were clearly on the same page.
steve004 said
steve004 said
Bert H. said
steve004 said
I’ve loaded the .33 WCF for a lot of decades and have researched loads a good bit over the years. I was fascinated to read Mike Venturino’s section on the .33. Mike was not having good luck with his .33 using standard powders and had the revelation to use slower powders such as H4350. I would have never considered that, but Mike had strong success (e.g. increased accuracy and elimination of extraction problems). Personally, I haven’t had accuracy or extraction problems with standard loads (and always load on the lighter side of factory ballistics – as has been suggested by several above).
It appears that the consensus from all of us who have loaded for the 33 WCF, is to load it for slightly less than factory specifications. Oddly, nobody mentioned using IMR 3031 (and I should have). I used 38 gr of 3031 with the Hornady 200 gr FP bullets, and it generated a load just under 2,000 fps. The maximum load listed for the IMR 3031 was 40 grains.
Bert
IMR 3031 is a powder I have commonly used. I’ll bet I have used it in some of my .33’s but will have to check my loading binder to know for sure.
I took a peek at my binder this morning. It turns out that I’ve used IMR 3031 more than any other powder in my .33’s. I see my loads were either 36.6 grains or 38 grains. Most commonly, they were 38 grains. These were loaded with 200 grain Hornady (old style flat point bullets). Bert and I were clearly on the same page.
Steve,
That was the load I found that shot the best. It is listed in my 1966 edition of Hornady’s reloading manual 
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I’ll jump on the wagon, as well. I use only IMR 3031 in the .33 Winchester. Without looking into my records, I don’t recall the grain weight though. I am effectively out of the old, original flat point bullets but successfully use the newer flex tip bullet of the same 200 grains weight. Being a take down, I gain enough space to load through the magazine if I will unscrew the magazine a turn or so (kind of similar to the relief for the big .50’s in the 1886’s). Point of impact is essentially the same for me as well. I shoot the rifle/cartridge in our metallic silhouette shoots and the pointed bullet retains more energy for the 200 and 300 yard targets. I do have issues when we have our cold weather shoots as the powder is temperature sensitive, so impact is lower in cold weather. Tim
I’d use the refinished gun you already have for load development and put the money you’ve saved towards the purchase of an unmodified gun
If you can’t convince them, confuse them
I also use 3031 for my 33wcf with the Hornady 200 gr flat point & Buffalo Arms 200 gr copy of that bullet. I have loaded & had no problems or issues with the 40-grain max load but will reduce it a grain or 2 in my future loadings after reading the advice here.
Had to unlock and look up what grain weight of IMR 3031 I use. I use 37.0 grains. Not hotrodding it, but adequate. Tim
tim tomlinson said
Had to unlock and look up what grain weight of IMR 3031 I use. I use 37.0 grains. Not hotrodding it, but adequate. Tim
In years past, I tried a lot of varying powder weight loads, going down to as little as 33 grains. But as I previously mentioned, the accuracy degraded the lighter I went with the powder charge. In the end, the 38-grain load of IMR 3031 shot the best in my rifle. I did try other powders (IMR 4198 was one of them) but I do not remember what powder weights I experimented with. I suppose I could dig up my 25-year-old notes if needed.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert, I don’t recall now how I arrived at 37 grains. If I don’t write it down where I can find it again, it didn’t happen! May have to try 38 grains for fun!! NOW just let me write it down somewhere, in maybe 3 different notes placed in three different spots……Tim
tim tomlinson said
Bert, I don’t recall now how I arrived at 37 grains. If I don’t write it down where I can find it again, it didn’t happen! May have to try 38 grains for fun!! NOW just let me write it down somewhere, in maybe 3 different notes placed in three different spots……Tim
You can always have it tattooed on the back of your hand 
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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I’ve learned that a bottle neck cartridge often does not lend itself to reduced loads. Apparently the 33WCF is one of those. I believe the .348 is another. I somewhat understand the relationship but I enjoy beating my head against the nearest wall.
Mike
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