.32 S&W short, black powder, loads?

troy_mclure · November 29, 2011, 05:48 PM

i just got my great gpas 1904 H&R top break revolver in .32s&w short. its a black powder gun.

i want to occasionally shoot this gun.

i have goex fffg, and pyrodex rs.

id also be interested in trail boss loads if that would be safe.

im thinking that ill just buy a box or 2 of smokeless .32s&w short and pull the bullets.

itll be way cheaper than ordering the bp loads.

Ideal Tool · November 29, 2011, 07:38 PM

Hello, troy_mclure. An even cheaper way would be to use a round ball (buckshot) lightly pressed into case mouth, with a bit of grease over ball.
I think Hodgdon has T.B. loads for this cal. in their Cowboy load handbook.

BillCA · November 29, 2011, 10:02 PM

A single #0 buckshot ball will work (it's typical .32 caliber)
#00 buckshot is .33 caliber and #1 buckshot is undersized at .30 caliber.

I don't have my BP data available, but fffg was preferred in most of the loads I recall for the cartridge. I think the .32 S&W's pressure limit was the same as the .32 S&W Long - 15,000 psi, so keep those loads light.

darkgael · November 30, 2011, 08:29 AM

I load .32 S&W with 8 grains of FFFg and an 80 grain bullet.
The Buckshot idea is a good one. If you seat the ball just below half its diameter, you'll have a little rim of the case into which you can dab some Alox.
My little .32:

Pete

November 29, 2011, 10:02 PM	#3
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	A single #0 buckshot ball will work (it's typical .32 caliber) #00 buckshot is .33 caliber and #1 buckshot is undersized at .30 caliber. I don't have my BP data available, but fffg was preferred in most of the loads I recall for the cartridge. I think the .32 S&W's pressure limit was the same as the .32 S&W Long - 15,000 psi, so keep those loads light. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)

November 30, 2011, 08:29 AM	#4
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	.32 S&W I load .32 S&W with 8 grains of FFFg and an 80 grain bullet. The Buckshot idea is a good one. If you seat the ball just below half its diameter, you'll have a little rim of the case into which you can dab some Alox. My little .32: Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

November 29, 2011, 05:48 PM	#1
troy_mclure Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: gulf of mexico Posts: 2,716	.32 S&W short, black powder, loads? i just got my great gpas 1904 H&R top break revolver in .32s&w short. its a black powder gun. i want to occasionally shoot this gun. i have goex fffg, and pyrodex rs. id also be interested in trail boss loads if that would be safe. im thinking that ill just buy a box or 2 of smokeless .32s&w short and pull the bullets. itll be way cheaper than ordering the bp loads. __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."

November 29, 2011, 07:38 PM	#2
Ideal Tool Junior member Join Date: October 6, 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,080	Hello, troy_mclure. An even cheaper way would be to use a round ball (buckshot) lightly pressed into case mouth, with a bit of grease over ball. I think Hodgdon has T.B. loads for this cal. in their Cowboy load handbook.