Hi.
Can anyone comment of the risk of cylinder stretching when shooting factory (Lapua) .32 S&W Long Wad Cutter 98 grains ammo on a S&W 16-2.
I have read an article which states that the pressure level in that particular ammo contributes to cylinder stretching. I understand that it is safe to shoot that ammo but I am just concerned of the of the gun itself.
I have used the 16-2 and ammo in 25 meters centerfire shooting competition. The ammo and gun combination performs OK despite a little keyholing.
Thank you.

I think who ever told you that was way off base. No way is factory loaded 32 S&W Long ammo going to cause such a thing.
I've used that particular ammo in my K-32's and never detected it as being warm or keyholing although I load my own mostly.
Post a couple of pictures of your 16-2 when you get a chance.

Please state the source of this "article".
It is hard to imagine any factory .32 S&W long ammo that would be so over pressure that it would damage the cylinder.

Hi again.
The article was on a Finnish gun magazine a few years ago. What I understood of it was that the problem wasn´t shooting a wad cutter bullet in a .32 S&W Long case, but the fact that a factory loaded .32 S&W Long Wad Cutter is a higher pressure caliber itself. According to CIP -standards that is the case.

Not worth worrying about, IMHO.

Factory 32 S&W long is very mild and intended for use in 100 year old guns.

Your M16 is a strong, modern gun.

Welcome! You have a rare S & W revolver and it is OK to be worried about putting un-needed stress on it. However, in the US factory .32 S & W Long ammunition has a pressure limit of 15,000 psi (don't know how that converts to metric units), and target loaded rounds are likely loaded to much lower pressures than that. Even at maximum pressure, this is the same size of cylinder that is rated to 20,000 psi in .38 Special, with thinner cylinder walls due to the larger diameter case.

So, unless the particular brand and loading of .32 you mentioned was deliberately (or accidentally?) over-pressure, no concerns in your K-32. You may want to try another brand if it keyholes. Enjoy!

__________________
Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

This MDL 16 has seen it's fair share of such loadings (my own) with no ill effects. Don't care where you read it or who might of spouted such dribble, but not to worry. At least that is the way I see it---

Hi.
Thank you all for your answers. That´s what I hoped to hear anyway!

I have never heard the term "Cylinder Stretching" before. Whatever it is supposed to mean, it would not happen with .32 S&W ammunition. Any revolver in that caliber would safely withstand far more peak chamber pressure than could be produced by .32 S&W factory loadings made by any ammunition manufacturer.