I've got a 6" 16-4, a 2" 30-1 that I reload for. I'm also about to aquire a 4" 1903 .32HE.
So far I've worked with Hornady and Speer bullets. Results have been ok, but nothing to really brag about.
I decided to try some different bullets and bought some Magtech 98gr LRN and Hunters Supply 76gr & 115gr LFPs.
I'm not finding much load data for these bullets. Most of the 98gr loads I'm finding are for WC loads. Not sure how these will work out with the LRN bullets. Should be just fine, but maybe a little on the light side?
The Hunters Supply bullets are the real quaetion. I'm not finding anything at all for the light 76gr or for any lead bullets over 100 gr. Only jacketed bullet loads.
Yeah, I know I can take data from similar weight bullets and work with it till I find something that's right. But I was hoping some of you could save me the time, expense and trouble.
So somebody help me out here. Any good loads you're using? Or at least, how about a good place to start?

115 grain in 32 Magnum recently discussed. Look HERE for some loads I posted for the 32 Mag with 115 grain lead bullets.

Lyman's second edition pistol & revolver reloading manual has load data listed for a 77 grain RN lead bullet in 32 Long. If you cannot find the data email me and I will give it to you.

85 Grain LRN 32 Mag data is also in the same manual. It should point you in the right direction for your 76 grain bullet in that cartridge.

BTW based on Bowen's willingness to rechamber my 16-4 to 327 Magnum that is a strong revolver so it can be loaded to substantially higher pressures than your other guns. SAAMI pressure limit for the 327 magnum I have seen listed is 45,000 PSI while the 32 Magnum SAAMI limit is 21,000 CUP. I know CUP and PSI are not directly comparable but the 327 Magnum limit is substantially higher. This is also shown by the 115 grain Speer factory load 327 Mag ballistics, 1380 FPS from a 4" vented test barrel.

Thanks, I'll give those 115gr loads a try.
I should have thought about the Lyman manual. Been meaning to pick one up for years. I guess now is the time.

Do you guys have any interest in .32 self defense loads? I don't reload but might start if someone could tell me they could get any reliable expansion with the 115 gr Gold Dot bullet that is offered in a .327 Magnum factory round, but out of a S&W m331/332 (1-7/8"? barrel) at .32 H&R Magnum pressures. Does anybody have any info on this?

Scout;

Per my talk with Speer last week the 115 grain bullet is not yet available to reloaders and will not be at least until reloading info is finished development and made available.

Once it is then they should be able to give you minimum recommended velocity for reliable expansion.

Based on listed velocity for the factory ammo I suspect that 32 H&R pressures and the short barrel will not be compatible with the bullet as a SD load. I could be wrong however.

quote:

Originally posted by scout:
Do you guys have any interest in .32 self defense loads? I don't reload but might start if someone could tell me they could get any reliable expansion with the 115 gr Gold Dot bullet that is offered in a .327 Magnum factory round, but out of a S&W m331/332 (1-7/8"? barrel) at .32 H&R Magnum pressures. Does anybody have any info on this?

If a hollowpoint is to be used from the 1 7/8" barreled .32 H&R Magnum-chambered S&W revolver, you may be better served to be shooting the 85-grain Federal loads, or possibly the 100-grain Georgia Arms loads. The latter may break 925 fps fron the short tube. The former should be light enough to gain ample speed for penetration This is the strong point of the .32 H&R Magnum. Penetration is the key with this particular caliber in the self-defense scenario. Since I shoot the Charter Arms "Undercoverette" in .32 H&R Magnum, I have taken a long, hard look at what will be needed to defeat an opponent with this round. Remember, You purhcased the .32 H&R Magnum fro extra speed for the projectile. Unfortunately you are also hampered by the short barrel! If you had a 4" barrel in the .32 Magnum you will gain the needed penetration to accomplish your mission. Find the load that will provide you with the greatest penetration, and place your shots very well!

Scott

Thanks for the info, Rich.

The copper Barnes PBX (as used in the Cor Bon DPX line) is the bullet I would most like to see in .32 caliber for self defense, but they do not make one. The Gold Dot is another favorite, and I was happy to see the 115 gr. round, though it is a little heavier than what I would guess would be optimal for the H&R Magnum.

I don't think penetration would be a problem with 115 gr. in .312 caliber, Scott, even at the H&R Magnum velocity. The question would be whether I could get equivalent or better expansion than the 85 gr. bullet in the Federal loading from a Gold Dot hand load, at H&R pressure.

IF the 327 magnum is even reasonably successful then I would expect to see more bullets and loads for it from additional sources.

Per a local gun shop they cannot keep the guns in stock so I have hopes.

To help ensure the cartridge's success there needs to be a ready source of brass available for reloaders. Without that it is just too damn expensive to shoot for many people. Currently it is not yet available.

Also like to see loading data for the 32 Magnum cartridge loaded to 327 Magnum pressures for use ONLY in 327 Magnum guns. Kind of like the Ruger and Contender only 45 Colt loading data many manuals list.

I looked through my reloading manuals and did not find much information on the 98 grain bullet and the 32 S&W Long. If there was data, it was with Bullseye.

The bullets I used were commercial cast, and were two grain heavier than 98 grains, the difference is inconsequential for me. The bullet is a round nose with a flattened tip.

I chronographed factory ammunition as a guide.

I found factory equivalent ammunition (2.25 grs Bullseye) to be so mild that after shooting 1000 rounds of it, I shot 1000 rounds of 2.5 grains Bullseye. Nothing evil happened to my pistol, that is still a very mild load, and my next 1000 rounds that I loaded are 2.7 grains Bullseye. I have not chronographed that load, I expect it will come out around 800 fps.

Three grains of Bullseye produced a sharp recoil in my revolver. While cases fell out, I just did not want to deal with the recoil.

Unique had potential, but I found that Bullseye worked good enough.


S&W No. 3 Hand Ejector 3.25" barrel


98 LRN Aguila Factory
19-Mar-06 T = 51 °F

Ave Vel = 665.9
Std Dev = 17.52
ES = 69.38
High = 697
Low = 627.6
N = 32
Horrible leading.

100 gr LBBFP .313" 2.25 grs Bullseye SS Brass WSP
19-Mar-06 T = 51 °F


Ave Vel = 693.3
Std Dev = 20.71
ES = 103.9
High = 721.8
Low = 617.9
N = 32
Elevation good, Windage left, Mild recoil

100 gr LBBFP .313" 2.5 grs Bullseye SS Brass WSP
19-Mar-06 T = 51 °F

Ave Vel = 768.2
Std Dev = 16.97
ES = 62.06
High = 807.3
Low = 745.3
N = 17
Elevation good, Windage good, Mild recoil, prefer this to 2.25 grain load

100gr LBBFP.313" 3.0 grs Bullseye WSP R-P brass
4-Feb-06 T = 44 °F

Ave Vel = 861
Std Dev = 14.83
ES = 57.83
High = 889.6
Low = 832.1
N = 31
no leading, easy extraction, rounded primers, sharp recoil


100 gr LBBFP .313" 2.9 grs Unique SS Brass WSP
19-Mar-06 T = 51 °F

Ave Vel = 717.4
Std Dev = 42.33
ES = 144
High = 789.3
Low = 645.3
N = 18
Elevation good, Windage good, Mild recoil accurate

Ken Waters Pet Loads has an article on reloading the 32 S&W Long with considerable load data for 91 and 112 grain lead bullets. He listed best accuracy with both bullets using SR-7625. Highest speed loads for both bullets were over 950 FPS.

Midway lists the latest edition as available shortly at about 25% off the Wolfe price. The new edition contains ALL of the Pet loads articles Ken did for Handloader.

I have a S&W 30-1 with 4" barrel. My usual load is 2.5 gns of Bullseye under a Lee 100gn TL bullet. My "heavy load" is 4.0 gns of Unique under a 118 lead flatnose designed for the 32-20. As usual stating what I do is not a recommendation that you do the same.