Can .32 S&W loaded with black powder pressure specs be purchased

The original load was 9gr of BP with a 85 lead bullet.
With modern case, I think you will have less space for the powder.
Just load with BP and a little bit semolina for made it touch the bullet : this will work ( I don"t promise anythink for accuracy ) with low pressure.

I may be wrong but aren't all 32 s&w rounds loaded weak these days for use in old guns?

.32 S&W was always weak. Nothing new there.

The old BP .32 S&W load was a 85 grain bullet at 705 FPS.
The .32 S&W Long was a 98 grain at 780.

Todays smokeless .32 S&W is an 88 at 680.
The .32 S&W Long is a 98 at 705.

Still, the fact remains, if it is a black powder gun, it is what it is.

Either .32 S&W or .32 S&W Long runs about $30+ bucks a box, when you can even find it.

rc

I've found the longs at gun shows for 15 a box. The shorts are another story. They use 32 longs for professional target shooting so its a little more available. They shoot just as good in those nagant revolvers as the original ammo at half the price.

I think this needs to be repeated for safety's sake.

From a post on antiqueguns.com -

"my final say on this subject is starting about 1900 Iver Johnson's arms & cycle works marked the boxes of the safety automatic revolvers with this warning, "THIS REVOLVER IS NOT SUITABLE FOR SMOKELESS POWDER". This warning was used on all boxes until 1909, the year the third model was introduced. I would advise every one to heed this factory warning."

leftym4, the old Iver Johnsons do not command much collector value unless they are in mint condition.
Seeing that you do not reload, it might be best left as a wall hanger or as trading fodder.



NCsmitty

Back then, they almost filled the case and seated the bullet, usually barely getting a compressed load. I assume that everyone knows the danger in having airspace in a blackpowder load.
Having said that, get a box of cream-o-wheat and start tinkering. Might have a brass rod handy.
And, you can use a lot of substitutes with the c-o-w and have a neat light plinking load.

On shooting these old BP revolvers: I have done it for years, back

when there were plenty of them around for a few dollars. I still have an old Safety Hammer IJ from 1898, BP for sure, and I won't shoot it.
FWIW, it won't "explode" the old guns, but it will cause them to stretch and shoot loose due to the different burning characteristics of smokeless and black powders. I have found Iver Johnsons and H&R revolvers to be a lot tougher than most give them credit for, but why destroy an old veteran - keep it as a display gun and get something newer to shoot.

Also, DO NOT SHOOT ANY Forehand and Wadsworth, Meridan, Hopkins and Allen or other odd brand old top break revolver - they are not as strong as the IJ/H&R's and you will destroy them quickly. Most of these brands never made it into the smokless era, and they should be regarded as historic relics.

I have been told by "gunsmiths" that the old Smiths and old Merwin Hulberts were safe to shoot with smokeless, but I don't believe that, and would NOT recommend taking a chance on ruining an great old revolver.
Retire all old revolvers that were made before 1910 or so-they deserve a rest.

mark

delete

If you load your own with blackpowder be aware that you will have to melt the smokeless lube from commerical cast bullets and replace with a blackpowder lube.

Slamfire1, it probably won't make any difference in 4"s or so. Might lead a little bit. If he loads 'em "plinker strong".

Buy a cheap used single stage press and tinker.

Yes.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#.32 s&w ammo____-_1-2-4_8-16-32

rc

Yes, Winchester and Remington market 32 S&W today, there are some European brands also. I cast Lyman 313249 @ 85 grains and load 1.5 gr. of Bullseye for approx 690 FPS from a 4" barrel in older Colt revolvers. If your old revolver is a solid frame as opposed to a break top it will handle todays factory ammo well and safely. I shoot several thousand rounds a year of my safely hand loaded 32 S&W, its a great plinking round and the old revolvers are a piece of history and a lot of fun. Be safe and good shooting!!!!!!!

I get my "cowboy load" .32 S&W ammo from The Old Western Scrounger.

leftym4 said:

so does anyone still make and sell ammo for this thing?


who where?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Yes, but it's all loaded with smokeless powder. Just because a smokeless round may emulate black powder ballistics or black powder pressure, that does not mean that it's safe to shoot out of a black-powder only gun like your Iver Johnson.

Iver jhonson

32 sw can be reloaded first obtain a lee loader$ 19.95 then brass mid way has both buffalo arms also has lead bullets,2.3 grains of bullseye 90 grain bullet for 32 sw long it says in alliant powder cowboy load data mv 794dont take my word for it check it out at the firearms fourn ask b.goforth he is an expert on ivers

IMO the best ammo to shoot in that revolver other than your own handloads is made by Ten-X. They use Hodgdon Triple7 but not the hot Triple7 we can buy, it's a special milder blend made only for Ten-X which closely mimics real Black Powder pressures and velocities without the excessive fouling.