Working up a load for my old lemon squeezer using new Starline brass, ACME 78gn LRN & Unique. I started @ (1.0 grains) to avoid stressing the old gun. These performed weaker than I desired and I noticed unburned powder on the bench top below where the gun was held when firing. I moved up to 1.25 grains of Unique and got performance I am happy with. I did not notice any significant unburned powder with the 1.25 grain charge. With this combination, and a short 3" barrel, should I be concerned about unburned powder in any amount or is it not uncommon to have some unburned powder?
Unburned powder, .32 S&W Short
- Thread starter Odyssey
- Start date
The lower charge weight load may not have developed enough pressure to do a complete burn.
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
I wouldn't be concerned with the unburned powder. Kind of to be expected with your light bullet and Unique.
I'm running my little "squeezer" with 1.2 gr of Bullseye or HP-38. (85 gr. Cast) And yeah, I get some unburned powder.
These little pea-shooters are a lot of fun. Keep an eye on your hinge screw, and general tightness, and if it's in good shape now, it will be fine. jd
I'm running my little "squeezer" with 1.2 gr of Bullseye or HP-38. (85 gr. Cast) And yeah, I get some unburned powder.
These little pea-shooters are a lot of fun. Keep an eye on your hinge screw, and general tightness, and if it's in good shape now, it will be fine. jd
jds, The 78 grain ACME was all I could find at the time I set out on this endeavor. Seems everyone has been buying up inventory to shoot viruses. Would I be better off with a heavier grain bullet after like the 85 grain you're using? I could switch after I exhaust my 78 grain inventory. Wouldn't a heaver grain bullet increase the pressure over my 78 grain? I thought about TB but, seating the ACME to the cannelure seemed uncomfortably close to compressing 1.2 - 1.25 grains of TB in this short little case. I had Unique on hand and read that others had used it with success for these light lemon squeezer loads. All that said, I'm new to reloading so, welcome any advice that helps me keep this load, for this gun, safe & fun.
pirate ammo
Guaranteed to take the wind out of their sails
I got some 85gr. Hornady XTP
I have some reservation about using a jacketed bullet in my old gun. Based on the age, the barrel would be designed for a lead cast bullet. I'm not concerned with leading the barrel based on the length of the barrel, light load and light bullet. If you are having good luck with the jacketed bullet stay with it.
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
Odyssey, I also suggest sticking with cast bullet only with these little pistols. I don't think there is anything wrong with your lighter 78 grainers. And my old Ideal Handbook, #38, indeed shows Unique at 2.0 grains. Bullseye at 1.4. And those charges are listed with a 87 gr. cast bullet.
My goal with my top-break peashooters is light loads, low pressure, and 25 yard gong ringers. My guns are in perfect mechanical condition, and I'd like to keep them that way. Those wimpy little loads are surprisingly accurate, and "feel" safe and mild. Truth be told, we're sposed to be using black powder in these guns, but I'm just not gonna.
Most of these pistols were shot well into the smokeless era, and my theory is that a lot of the loose and rickety ones were simply shot with loose hinge and top latch screws. Also the Smiths are much better quality than almost any of the other brands to be found. jd
My goal with my top-break peashooters is light loads, low pressure, and 25 yard gong ringers. My guns are in perfect mechanical condition, and I'd like to keep them that way. Those wimpy little loads are surprisingly accurate, and "feel" safe and mild. Truth be told, we're sposed to be using black powder in these guns, but I'm just not gonna.
Most of these pistols were shot well into the smokeless era, and my theory is that a lot of the loose and rickety ones were simply shot with loose hinge and top latch screws. Also the Smiths are much better quality than almost any of the other brands to be found. jd
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
Those might work pretty good. They look more like a conical that might be designed for maybe 32 ACP.
Here's data from my old 1951 Ideal book.
I love having one of these little pistols along on a shooting trip with folks who have never seen them. They are always surprised at how well they shoot.
I've got this old girl with it's five inch barrel, and in 38 S&W. Nickel finish is kind of rough, but mechanically it is great, and shoots very well. jd
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
Yes, I have neither of those powders.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.