Does anyone know of maximum pressure ratings for S&W revolvers published anywhere? I've got an S&W 32-20 model 1902 1st change. I know you can't load it hot, but I'd like to know just how much powder can SAFELY be loaded. Pressure rating would help a lot.

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What could possibly go wrong?

SAAMI does not list an official pressure for .32-20 in a rifle (see page 31 below):

https://saami.wpengine.com/wp-conten...sting-Copy.pdf

Given this one was made away from the era of heat-treated cylinders, I would stick to factory or equivalent loads in it. A few Marlin and Ruger products are available if you want to push limits.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Refer to a current Lyman manual. It should have safe .32-20 loads.

As has been said refer to the reloading data available.
Also I believe you want to use only lead bullets.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

One has to remember that the external dimensions of the 32 Winchester revolver is the same as a 38 Special M&P, so the cylinder walls are much thicker and the barrel is also thicker. To me, that would mean the 32-20 revolvers will withstand higher pressures than a 38 Special, or 17,000 psi.

Hodgdons lists several revolver loads for this caliber and many are listed at 16,000 psi. Personally, I don't shoot any of my old S&W 32 Winchester revolver even that high. Hole in paper is the goal.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Use cast bullet and stick to factory duplication loads. There is no point in hot rodding old 32/20 revolvers. The one thing all the old 32/20 both revolver and rifles have in common is they all do best with cast bullets of 100 to 115gr. Lyman Cast bullet manual is good place for data.

My old 32-20 S&W is a 4" 1902 no change (made 1902, first changes started in 1902 and went into 1903) All 1902 and 1905 32-20's were made before 1929, regardless of how much later they shipped!

Your gun is 118 to 119 years old, RESPECT YOUR ELDERS! Use only lead or coated bullets and light loads. I use Lyman's 3118 (117 grain sized .314" and lubed with SPG) and a light load of WW231 WSP primer. I have lots of Winchester and Starline brass, I believe them to be equal. I have some Remington brass of lower quality. Reliable, accurate, and deadly on garden rabbits! I use the same load in my 6" Colt Police Positive Special from 1919 with equal results.

Ivan

QUESTION???
I have a box of Remington High Performance Rifle 32-20 ammunition and now ask if this ammo can be used in a 32-20 pistol that is in good condition?????
I paid $ 51.95 for it. Price tag still on box
I once had a rifle in this caliber, and bought this ammo a year ago as I planned to shoot it.
I sold the rifle,,but forgot I had this NEW box of ammo for it.
I will take it to the next gun show in Reno,Nevada when this "corona" virus is over and they allow shows again.

What type of bullet do these have, and do they list a velocity listed?

The long out of production "rifle only" loads had JSP bullets, and as I recall warnings in bold print about not using them in handguns.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Remington High Performance Ammunition is a 100 grain lead bullet, and a speed of 1210 fps, and is listed as a rifle cartridge. I would think it should be fine for a revolver, but never seen this box before. They did make Express ammo and that has been shot in 32-20 revolvers and it is the same bullet and same velocity.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Don't use a light load behind a jacketed bullet. It will stick in the barrel. You can ask me how I know, and how to get 6 of them out of an undamaged 1909 vintage target barrel!

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Jim Sebring

That ammo is safe in any high quality revolver in good firing condition. I say "high quality" because there are some .32-20s of dubious construction out there. I had a .32-20 S&W when I was in college and one of my roommates liked it. He couldn't find a Smith, so he bought a Spanish .32-20. The quality of the chamber interiors was NOT up to Smith & Wesson standards. Fired cases did not come out with a gentle taper. They looked like either Weatherby or Improved Ackley rounds!

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Just want to be clear what I was trying to ask about. I'm not wanting to load hot rounds for my old 32-20 revolver. I know you don't want to. My question was about pressure and listed loads for 32-20. Let's say hypothetically, Trail Boss has listed a starting load of 2.5 gr with a pressure listed at 9,400 CUP. It might have a max load of 4.5 gr with a pressure of 16,000 CUP. I'm assuming the max load is for newer 32-20 pistols with heat treated steel that can withstand higher pressure than the older pistols. My question was about the pressure rating for such an old pistol and if they are published anywhere. I can't find it, if it is. So if I want to load 3.2 gr of Trail Boss at a pressure of 12,000 CUP (hypothetically) I would know if that is a safe load or not. I'm just trying to find the cut off between safe loads and those that might damage the pistol.

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What could possibly go wrong?

As I already stated, the maximum safe pressure for your revolver would be around 17,000 psi. Currently available 32-20 Remington ammo run at 16,000 psi in a rifle and should fire in your revolver without issue, probably at pressures of no more that 12,000 - 14,000 psi. Anything under 16,000 psi is fine, but there is no need to go beyond 10,000 12,000 psi to shoot at paper targets. It is your choice of what powder you want to use as long as pressure not too high.

No one on the Forum can tell what condition your revolver is in, so these comments are meant for a fully functional S&W with on issues or damage.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Awesome! Thank you. I saw your previous post, but wasn't sure if the pressures you referenced were ok for an antique gun or only safe in a more modern pistol. I appreciate you taking the time to clarify.

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What could possibly go wrong?