Latest reloading and range report on HE 32-20 revolver.

[M5741]

I decided to post a new thread about my ventures in reloading and shooting my 1905 revolver with smokeless powder.
I loaded up some more test rounds, this Friday last. Powders were HP-38, Unique, and BE-86.
Went out to the gun club Saturday the 28th.
Results were as follows. Range 15 yards. Chronograph was 10 feet from muzzle.10 shot
strings with chrony, and 10 shot groups.
HP-38: 3.5 grains. 2.825" 5 shots in .80
Hi 863
Lo 678
Av 763
ES 185
SD 48

HP-38: 3.9 grains. 1.80" 5 shots in .840"
Hi 871
Lo 740
Av 798
ES 131
SD 34

Unique: 3. 9 grains. 1.390" 8 shots 1.06"
Hi 819
Lo 714
Av 765
ES 105
SD 35

BE-86: 4.2 grains. 1.460" 8 shots .830"
Hi 847
Lo 762
Av 795
ES 85
SD 24
Any of the last three loads are acceptable to me. I like the BE-86, as it meters a lot better than Unique. I also like it better than the HP-38, as it is a slower burning powder, and the pressure builds up a little slower than the HP-38. All powders burned very clean. No leading
with the 115 grain rnfp Badman Bullets. All of these loads fall into the velocity range that I was looking for. That's a good plus. I'm really enjoying my little 5 screw.

 

[toad67]

Nice, thanks for the update. I recently acquired a model from 1906 and just shot my first reloads with it, below are my results from a Garmin zero.

3.2 gr Titegroup
Av-805
SD-42

3.5 Unique
Av-662
SD 37

Both were with WSPP's and 100 grain Missouri Bullets coated RNFP at 1.535". The Unique was surprisingly slow and therefore pretty dirty. The TG was really nice. Both shot around 2", with the TG showing better results. Think I'm going to try about 3.4-3.5 of TG to see if some more speed will shrink the group size a bit.

 

[toad67]

One thing that I noticed, that I thought was odd, was that all of my new Starline brass started at 1.284", but after once fired, they were all at 1.277". I'm guessing that the loading process shrunk them a bit and they never stretched after firing.

 

[M5741]

I have only used three different weight bullets. Two were the 78 grain rn, and the 100 grain T&B Bullets. Neither one of those weight bullets shot well for me. At best, baseball size groups at 15 yards. Things really improved with the 115 grain rnfp Badman Bullet. I don't think the bullet make made any difference. I believe the extra weight and length was needed. The 115 grain bullet puts .150 more bullet down in the case over the 100 grain bullet. I have also read a couple posts stating that the 32-20 revolver was originally calibrated with the heavier bullet.

 

[toad67]

I have only used three different weight bullets. Two were the 78 grain rn, and the 100 grain T&B Bullets. Neither one of those weight bullets shot well for me. At best, baseball size groups at 15 yards. Things really improved with the 115 grain rnfp Badman Bullet. I don't think the bullet make made any difference. I believe the extra weight and length was needed. The 115 grain bullet puts .150 more bullet down in the case over the 100 grain bullet. I have also read a couple posts stating that the 32-20 revolver was originally calibrated with the heavier bullet.

Interesting observation, I have a box of 115's that I think I'll try too, thanks.

 

[M5741]

Actually, in my little pea brain, I'm thinking that with the new brass being sized to fit the chambers, and then firing the load, the case will expand to fit the chamber, and shorten it. I have had this happen in other bottleneck cases.
Oh by the way. Regarding the heavier bullet in the 32-20, allows for more back pressure from the extra weight, and better ignition.

 

[M5741]

I loaded up some more test rounds to try out.
4.5 grains of Unique, 115 grain rnfp.
949 fps
925
919
832
937
1016. Hi
933
928
910
748 Lo
Av 909
ES 268 ☆
SD 72. ☆
We know that there is sometimes erratic velocities when loading for the 32-20. Wouldn't it be more accurate to delete the highest and lowest velocity to come up with a better average velocity, ES, and SD???
In this particular string, deleting the Hi and Lo, calculates to :
949 fps
925
919
832
937
1016 Deleted
933
928
910
748 Deleted
Hi 949
Lo 832
Av 917
ES 111 ☆
SD 36. ☆
I think the lower calculations with the highest and lowest velocities being deleted shows more realistic numbers.

Next load tested. 4.2 grains of BE-86.
With the 10 shot string with no deleting.
Hi 905 fps
Lo 761
Av 818
ES 144. ☆
SD 36. ☆
Deleting the Hi of 905, and Lo of 761 shows;
Hi 849 fps
Lo 796
Av 818
ES 53 ☆
SD 16. ☆

Last load tested. 4.9 grains of CFE-P.
With the 10 shot string, no deleting.
Hi 943 fps
Lo 873
Av 908
ES 70. ☆
SD 20.☆
Deleting the Hi 943, and the Lo 873 shows;
Hi 931 fps
Lo 881
Av 908
ES 50. ☆
SD 14. ☆
Anyway, I do think that deleting the highest and lowest velocities will show a more realistic set of numbers. Anyone have any opinions or comments??

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Was this a 4" or 6" barrel.
I have a 1902 4" and a 1919 Colt PPS 6", All these loads looked safe for either.

Ivan

 

[M5741]

The barrel length is 5".

 

[Brooks]

I tried HP38 years ago and thought it didn't fill the case enough and stuck with Unique. Now using Herco. HS6 might be good as well.
Have you pushed a .313 bullet through the cylinder throats vs .314 bullet? My HE .313 drops through but the .314 needs to be pushed through with a pencil.
IMO 600-700 fps is too slow. I try to be around 850.....I want the bullet to leave the barrel.

 

[sjmjax]

Your original numbers reflect a similar pattern I’ve been seeing lately since I started chronographing my loads again.

In loadings that are similar in most respects: same bullet, same primer, same brass brand, similar target velocity.

I’m seeing fairly large velocity spreads and Standard Deviations with HP-38.

Much smaller velocity spreads and SD with heavier Unique loads despite its erratic metering.

Double disappointment as I like working with HP-38/231 and Unique being no longer available.

 

[M5741]

Brooks:
When I was using the T&B 100 grain rnfp coated bullets at .3125, they would push through very easy. Now, with the Badman Bullets, 115 grain rnfp greaser at .313+, they have to be pushed on purty hard or even tapped through.

sjmjax:
What weight bullet are you using. I found that in my revolver, the heavier 115 grain bullet is more accurate, and the velocities tighten up some. I agree, the Unique powder works purty well. I'm going to give Bluedot a try and see what happens. After that, it's time to choose which one I like the best out of all the powders I've tried.

 

[sjmjax]

I’m working with different calibers, 38, 357, 45.
But, I’m seeing a very similar pattern.
Unacceptable variation in velocity and high standard deviations at similar velocities with alternative powders.
Can’t explain it.
Pride myself on consistency in my reloading practices.

 

[M5741]

Myself as well. Very frustrating to reload quality ammunition, only to gaze at the wide variations in velocity and SD's that read out from the chrony. Actually, guess I really don't care that much about the variations when punching holes in paper. I'm more interested in tight groups, and chasing mobile targets around on the ground.