Anybody reload .32 Long for D frame?

[Eldon Hickey]

I just got brass and 95gr. SWC's from Midway and want to work up a load for a .32 D Special. The guns 60's vintage, in excellent shape. The hottest listed loads I've found are in Phil Sharpe's 1937 book--4.3 gr Unique with a 98 gr round nose lead bullet. This is substantially hotter than modern data which show the max as around 3 grains with a bullet of this weight. I assume this is because of all the top-breaks and Saturday night specials out there, but want to proceed with caution while getting the max I can out of the .32.
Looking for experienced advice.
Thanks

[MMCSRET]

I load for a PPS, 1955, 4" in 32 Police. It handles 2.5 gr. of Bullseye under my cast RN 95 gr. very well. I use R-P cases and CCI 500 primers. I've tried hotter with different powders but this load works very well for me, accurate and takes ground squirrels at decent ranges and makes for a comfortable carry gun when afield out in the breaks.

[bang]

MMC, how to you control the accuracy of such a small charge of BE ?

I couldn't do it, and went to Trail Boss, which has a much greater volume for the same weight . . .

[MMCSRET]

I'm using it in a 4" barrel, that may be the difference. I do load 2.4 gr. of TB and it works well also, but the 2.5 gr. load comes from Ideal hand book #37 which lists a charge of 2.7 gr. bullseye under a 98 gr. bullet. My guns, PP, PPS, S&W 31-1 all like the 2.5 load; simply, it works for me.

[bang]

What I meant was, how do you control the amount of BE in the powder dispenser with such a small volume -- when I try that small a load of BE, I'm throwing 2.2 to 2.5, which is a significant percentage difference, and the TB difference is much smaller.

[MMCSRET]

I use a long obsolete and discontinued Bonanza "Bullseye" Pistol Powder measure. It is calibrated to Bullseye powder and all other powders have to be calculated, it uses a brass rotor calibrated for 2.5 grains of Bullseye, repeats itself consistently. I've been using it for about 35 years.