32 S&W Long ammo

[Cal44]

A first for me.

I found a box of 32 S&W Long on the shelf at a LGS.

Sportsman's Warehouse had a box of Aguila 98 grain round nose.

Useful for target practice only, I'd say.

I bought it hoping the inventory control system would notice that it sold out fast and start ordering more.

I once in a while see 32 H&R Mag there, but never any 32 S&W long before.

An anti-gun group is trying to get ammo mail order banned in California by passing an initiative, and if they succeed getting unusual types of ammo like this will be difficult.

[Edknn123]

Had to order online as I only found one place 45 miles away that had 1 box of each of that caliber and 38 s&w. They wanted $36.99/ box for LRN. Online it's $14.99 and $18.99. I can wait. I wish I could just walk in and buy it like 9 mm and 38 special. We will all be screwed if online sales are banned. Local prices are a lot higher on normal calibers, without online sales, they will raise prices through the roof. I can only imagine what orphan calibers will rise to, if even available.

[Dobie406]

All the more reason to start reloading. Did some math the other day, and I'm loading 32 S&W long for about $0.12 per round

[Edknn123]

Time to learn how. Up to now, my main ammo was 9 mm and at $10 a box couldn't bother. My 38 sp was not to bad either with sales. Now that I have the 32 s&w long and the 38 s&w it is well worth it. They kill you on this ammo. What would it cost to get into reloading equipment wise?

[H Richard]

You can get into reloading between $50 and $350. The $50 is lucking out at an estate sale or auction. The $350 is retail price for a complete RCBS kit that includes everything but powder and primers and bullets. There are other kits that may be less and quite a few that are somewhat more. Reloading actually won't save you much money, but it will enable you to shoot a heck of a lot more.

[robertrwalsh]

California is making a strong attempt to shut down all gun stores and all ammo dealers in the state, and making it illegal to buy ammo out of state either in person or by internet purchases. Clearly there are some constitutional problems with this but that doesn't mean the commies who run this state won't try and put a serious ding in things.

[Dobie406]

To me reloading is a fun hobby in and of itself with the benefit of good quality ammo of my choosing as a result. There is an initial investment in equip, but well worth it to me.

[DWalt]

A year or so ago, the local Academy store had Federal .32 S&W Long on sale for about $15/box. Stupidly, I didn't buy any of it. Last time I was there, they had Aguila round nose, don't remember the price, I think about $22. I often see S&B .32 S&W Long wadcutters at gun shows. I recently came into 100 .32 H&R Magnum fired cases which I cut down to .32 S&W Long length with my trusty Dremel tool.

[les.b]

As long as you enjoy shooting and collecting firearms, as others have noted, reloading is certainly a great hobby, and a relaxing way to save money, and custom tailor your loads, and also isolate yourself from the vagaries of the marketplace. Once you invest in the equipment, with dies for all of the calibers you may want to reload, don't forget to stock up on some of the components that may fall victim to the overzealous regulatory types: stock up on primers and powder (after you determine what you need and what calibers you will be loading for. Buy primers by the thousand. They are back in stock most places now. Buy powder in quantity. I would worry more if I lived in California rather than where I am, West Virginia. But experience has taught me that even here, shortages can occur.

32 S&W Long is one of my favorite cartridges to reload. I reload for about 20 calibers, but some very rarely. The .32 is very easy to reload for. Takes very little powder. I load light target loads, and you should be able to get a couple of thousand rounds out of a single pound of powder. More with some loads. With light loads, the cases last for a long time. I have friends who shoot and don't reload, and save brass for me. I am always hoarding brass. It is the most expensive part of a cartridge, and many folks just throw it away. Always collect it when shooting with others if no one wants it. Always ask, however. Most folks don't bother to save their brass.

[sw282]

32 S&W should not be too hard for components, 38 S&W may be
a bit harder...lts .361" diameter could cause a problem....
I recently picked up a nice Colt Police in 32 S&W..But have not
loaded it in the past..l still have 32acp dies from a Walther PP
and Sig230... Quite a few 311 73gr FMJs too...Being lighter than 98gr SWs they will shoot HIGH

[Dobie406]

1lb of powder = 7000 grains, 2gr of Bullseye or Titegroup under a 100 gr wadcutter makes 3500 rounds of .32 fun.

[DWalt]

"32 S&W should not be too hard for components, 38 S&W may be
a bit harder...lts .361" diameter could cause a problem...."

Not really. .357-.358 bullets work fine for me in the .38 S&W.

Regarding reloading the .32 Long, I use .32 ACP dies. Sort of like I use .45 ACP dies for reloading .45 Colt (neck sizing only).

[les.b]

I concur with both DWalt and Dobie406 in the above. I was thinking of another caliber when I said 2000 rounds, his 2 grain charge of Bullseye is just right in the .32 S&W Long. And like DWalt, I use the ordinary .357 - .358 billets in the .38 S&W. I have a lot of .38 S&W revolvers by Smith, Colt, and even a Webley. Cartridges loaded with these bullets seem to fare well in all of these guns.

Always keep extensive notes on all your loads at the time you are loading. These will be of great value later, in a number of ways. I keep my loading notes in the loading manuals, but some prefer a separate notebook. Either way, keep notes, and if you are not shooting your handloads right away, label them.

[Cal44]

Well, after saying how I never see 32 revolver ammo in stores, I went to Bass Pro yesterday and found half a dozen boxes of 32 S&W (not long, the short type) on the shelf.

Also the first time I've seen that in a LGS.

Didn't buy them -- too expensive and all my guns take cheaper 32 long.

[weatherby]

I'm lucky I have old stores with old ammo.

My gun doesn't even care if it say's colt....well maybe it does spit them out faster.