Mystery Powder from Rem-UMC .32-40.

[WallyM3]

Does anyone know the identity or family of this powder from "pulled" .32-40 REM-UMC cases?

[MattOrgan]

Looks like Lightning to me, lead bullet factory load?

[WallyM3]

Apologies. That definitely is germane. These are original factory loads. The two bullets were from different sources (in my collecting days), but appear identical. I haven't weighed them, but will and report back with the results.

[MattOrgan]

I'm pretty sure it is Hercules "Lightning" that was originally a Laflin & Rand powder from the 1890s. It was produced as a black powder replacement for cartridges originally loaded with black powder, the .32/40 being a good example of this. A very similar appearing powder was Sharpshooter, but I think that may have been restricted by the factories to .45/70 cartridges. Both were sold as canister powders to the public until WW II or maybe a little later. My grandfather used it in his .30/40 Krag reloads 40+ years ago.

[WallyM3]

Thank you! That's great info.

I'm intrigued by the .32-40. Someday, I'd like a high-grade SS in this chambering.

My understanding is that it was Pope's (along with the .33-40) favorite cartridge.

[w30wcf]

As Matt indicated, it is either Sharpshooter (developed as a smokeless replacement for b.p.) or Lightning. If the charge weight is closer to 14 grs., it is the former, if closer to 20 it is the latter.

I am fortunate enough to have a small supply of both and have had a chance to use them in the .44-40, .30-30, and 45-70. They work great.

w30wcf

[Bullwolf]

Does this help any, after weighing the charges?



Even if it's not much help, there's still a really interesting piece of history there.




- Bullwolf

[WallyM3]

I love this stuff, I have to confess.

I'll be weighing both the bullets I found (now a total of three) and the charges I was able to preserve.

[w30wcf]

Bullwolf,
Nice vintage can. Thank you for sharing. According to the can, the .32-40 H.P. (High Power) load was 24 grs. of Lightning. It was intended for "Special Smokeless Steel" barrels only since the ballistics were around 2,000 f.p.s. and 35,000 or thereabouts psi.

According to early Hercules Powder Pamphlets, they also recommended 20 grs. of Lightning for the .32-40 H.V. (High Velocity) cartridge which produced 1,744 f.p.s. / 25,400 PSI.

According to their pamphlet, Hercules recommendation for the standard .32-40 cartridge was 12 grs. of Sharpshooter developing 1,420 f.p.s. Here is the back of an early L&R (Laflin & Rand) can showing the same powder charge.



Interesting history!

w30wcf

[w30wcf]

WallyM3,
Since the bullets are tin plated, your cartridges were produced before 1930.

w30wcf