I've had this wee revolver for a few months now, and I'm a-itchin' too shoot it. Otherwise, why have it?

I've accumulated brass and dies, have various primers in my drawer, and want nice, safe loads that I can cook up. I was thinking The Holy Black Powder, but am having second thoughts since a fellow over at CastBoolits related a tale of extraction problems that resulted in something broken in the extraction mechanism requiring a 3-year part search. Ever hear of such a thing?

Not being wedded to Holy Black, I'm now thinking Trail Boss. Seems it ouught to be a good choice. Never tried it. Anyone have experience reloading .32 S&W (the short one) with TB? Or any other smokeless?

I haven't settled on a boolit either, so help there is welcome. I've got .311 roundball--what do you think? I could also use some help dating the little thing. SN is 171XXX.

I LOVE THIS REVOLVER ! If Smith would repop them in .22LR I couldn't open my wallet fast enough!

Kermit - your 32 Safety Hammerless Second Model revolver was probably shipped in 1910 - 1912 years, so it was intended for smokeless powder use.

Original black powder factory loads were 10 grains FFF powder and 88 grain round nose lead bullet. There are lots of smokeless loads out there on the powder manufacturers websites, but I like Trail Boss because it is a very bulky powder tailor made for old BP cartridge loading. You can fill the case to the base of the seated bullet and it will perform fine. Obviously, lighter loads mean less powder, but unfortunately there are no loads listed in the IMR (Hodgdon) website for Trail Boss 32 S&W. Keep your loads to around 600fps. The only powder listed on Hodgdon's website for 32 S&W is 85 gr lead, 1.4 grains Winchester 231 powder, yields 595fps at 9,500 CUP. Proper bullet is .314 RN lead 85 - 88 grains.

For the very few times I shoot mine, I use factory loads which are very very mild. (And expensive).

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244