Recommended ammo for 1903 (32)

[gregc78]

Hi folks,
Great forum, love the site.
Got lucky one day and happened upon a very clean 1903, had it checked out by our local gunsmith and he says it is in great condition and enjoy shooting!! My question is, as an older gun - it was made in 1910, I would think that ammo was not as powerful as it is today? Could be and probably am wrong about that but I want to be sure to not hurt the pistol so is the Fiocci 73 grain to much for this gun? I shoot Winchester 71 grain in my JHV41 but ran out and found these at a good price and thought I would check them out. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks, Greg

[Lawman67]

Fiocchi is standard pressure but hot. If I were limited to a 32 acp that is the load I would use. Around 1100 fps out of a 3 3/4 barrel. For plinking I would stick to standard fare Win or Remington going around 900fps. I actually reload for one of these little pistols. 71 gr cast at around 875-900 fps.Will not beat up the pistol

[msheak]

Didn't winchester make some 32acp for the Seecamp ? I have seen some, and what I have heard is was pretty good ammo.

[diamondback22]

I shoot what is cheepest..ive had good luck with prvi-partizan, 71gr FMJ..its real good ammo and my 1903 likes it best...very accurate..

[gregc78]

thanks for the info guys, think i will stick to some slower ammo for starters.

[dirtygeary]

I think any FMJ factory ammo will be ok.

[oberon]

Those old guns are no more likely to give up on new ammo than a new gun. The manufacturers have to keep the ammo within the safe pressure range for those old guns. If one gets destroyed once in a while, it is uaually attributable to a serious breach of caution in making loads for it, and not the result of somebody using factory spec. ammo.
Blast away and have some fun.

[gregc78]

Well I did blast away today and had FUN!! I am not new to shooting pistols & rifles it has just been a few years and I had forgotten how enjoyable it could be. The Fioochi worked just fine and actually were quite accurate, at least as accurate as I could be. Grips are a bit smallish though, found I was better able to control with gloves but that is just me I'm sure. Now we will have to see how the other half likes it & maybe look for another who knows!! Thanks for the input folks, it sure made me feel better pulling the trigger the first time!

Enjoy, Greg

[Colt75]

Didn't winchester make some 32acp for the Seecamp ? I have seen some, and what I have heard is was pretty good ammo.

If I remember right, the Seecamp was designed to use the .32 ACP Winchester Silvertip loads.

[azasadny]

When I'm not shooting my own reloads, I use Winchester white box or Remington ammo and have not had a problem.