.32 SW for an Iver Johnson break top

[Steve2md]

I picked up an Iver Johnson break top .32SW a few years ago for $60. it came as parts in a zip lock baggie. I finally got around to refinishing it and assembling it (initial assembly, still need a hand spring and grips) yesterday.
Here are my questions:
Since this pistol dates at 1909-1911, I plan to run BP in it, as IJ was still using up their stock of BP parts at that time, and there's no way to be certain it will handle smokeless.

1. Any load suggestions? BP loads for .32SW (NOT the "long" cart) are few and far between

2. cast boolit diameter for a starting point? I plan to cast my own. I can bump the dia up a few thou or size it down a few thou, but I need to choose a good mold size. The loading manuals I have shoe .312 for this cartridge. Is that where I should start, or does your experience show a better option?

Thanks folks

 

[Sunray]

A 1909-1911 IJ would not be BP. The revolvers were considered disposable too. Best to have a smithy check it. And slug the barrel. They can use .310" to .313" bullets. Only have data for cast bullets in my old Lyman book. 77 and 84 grains. 85 grain cast data on Hodgdon's site. And one 85 grain HP38 for an H&R pre-1898 top break on Reloader's Nest.
There's a fair bit of discussion about BP loads on Cast Boolits though.

 

[damoc]

fill it up leaving enough space to compress the bp I found that pretty hard to do becase of the small quantities if i remember right i made a powder measure out of a old .25 auto cartridge dont quote me on that though and I still had trouble not over compressing the bullet to deformity.

i used a .314 90 grain

 

[DrLaw]

I have reloaded .32 S&W with black powder. I use a Lee Dipper, put about a full case in of 3F, and top it with a Hunter Supply 76 grain cast bullet. I use Lee dies for loading it. Since I don't shoot the two .32's I have that often, once a year reloading pretty much does it for me.

BP pressures are low enough that you can compress the powder without problems.

The Doc is out now.

 

[FROGO207]

I reload it with trail boss and 95 grain .312 RN lead bullets from Hunters Supply or those available from Missouri Bullets in .312. Find it a lot easier than cleaning BP residue from the firearm. I just used the formula of filling the case to where the bullet will end up and weighing that as the max load and dropping 10% for start load as described in the manual. I shoot the starting loads as they are just as accurate as the others when I worked them up.

 

[Gik-tal]

Pistol type

If you look at the grips on the pistol if the beak of the owl is pointing towards to barrel end of the gun its black powder, if the beak is pointing away form the barrel end then it is smokeless.

 

[Steve2md]

I got it without grips. IJ was still mixing parts from their old inventory at the time this was built, so there's no way of knowing if all of the parts are rated for smokless or not. I'll only shoot it a few times per year, so cleaning BP residue is not a big deal for me.

Thanks for all the replies. I have a good jumping off point now.