New to me Smith/Wesson model of 1905

[littlejack]

Been replacing parts, and working up loads in the little revolver. I replaced the center pin with a new one. I bought a used cylinder stop from a fella in Tennesee. Although it was used, it was a lot less worn than the one in the revolver. With the new "power rib" main spring, and the 13 pound trigger return spring, the hammer pull is as it should be.
I started off loading the T&B 100 grain rnfp coated bullets. After multiple powders, and multiple charge weights, the best groups I
could get were 3"- 3.5" 10 shot groups at 15 yards. I tried HP-38, AA2, Unique, CFE-Pistol, Herco and BE-86 powders. So I decided to try a heavier weight bullet. At the gun club, they had a box of Badman Bullets at .314 diameter, and 115 grain rnfp. I loaded 50 with 4.3 grains of Herco for an average velocity of 859 fps. Also, 25 loaded with 4.9 grains of Herco for an average velocity of 968 fps. The 4.9 load was to hot, so I won't be loading any more with that powder charge. With both powder charges, the ES and SD spreads were quite high. So I'm going to do some more testing with the other powders, and try to get those spreads down to acceptable levels. Herco powder works best with higher pressures loads, maybe one of the other faster powders will work better. The Herco powder does take up more space in the 32-20 case than any of the other powders.

[littlejack]

Anyone want to share their favorite load for their 32-20 in a revolver?

[littlejack]

Oops, forgot the most important part of the range test.10 shots at first target with the 4.3 grains of Herco powder and 115 grain bullets. The group was 1.5" centered windage, and 1.5" above dead center with 5 shots in one ragged hole.
Second group with 4.3 grains of Herco, was 16 shots. 1.5" with 13 shots centered windage, and 1.5" high of dead center and 3 shots outside.
Last group was 4.9 grains of Herco. 11 shots with 9 shots in 1.5" centered windage and 1" above dead center. 2 shots outside.