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  #1  
Old 07-24-2011, 07:22 AM
walnutred walnutred is online now
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Default Sooty 32 S&W long load

My usual 32 Long load of late has been 2.7gns BE under a Lee TL semi wad cutter bullet with OAL of 1.18. A couple weeks ago I tried the Hornady 90gn SWC with the same load and OAL and get sooting of the case exterior.

Now the 90 gn bullet is obviously shorter, so there is more headspace between the top of the powder and bottom of the bullet, which should reduce pressure slightly. With 45 Colt the usual way to reduce the sooting is increase pressure slightly so that the case expands.

So obviously I can increase the powder charge OR seat the bullet deeper OR increase the crimp. I loaded up a batch yesterday with a slightly increased crimp. One catch though is that I think I'm getting close to the max velocity without leading using these swagged bullets. Another catch is that the groups I'm getting I can live with. At 30' they are centered and about 1" high. From a 2" 31-1 that is good for my purposes.

In the past I've loaded this bullet deeper in the case with a lighter charge. However I'm getting better accuracy with the longer OAL. Any other suggestions or should I ignore the sooting.
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Old 07-24-2011, 07:27 AM
Bailey Boat Bailey Boat is offline
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I have the same issue with one my 45 ACP target loads because they are so "softball" that the case doesn't expand. They only turn about 700 fps but are scarey accurate out of the Gold Cup I worked them up for. Mine usually tumble almost all of the burn marks off and I re-stuff them again, no issues to date.....
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Old 07-24-2011, 11:59 AM
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A faster powder would also remedy the sooting. But you'd have to fish for accuracy again.....

Also, if you do up your current charge enough to stop the sooting, it may bring the groups down to point of aim. Might be worth a try to load some in small batches and check for leading....
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Old 07-24-2011, 01:32 PM
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I had the same issue with sooting using the Hornady 90 grain SWC and 2.3/231. It is annoying but doesn't really hurt anything; I would guess you might try seating a little deeper to increase pressure a bit.

After using up the SWC's, I tried some of their HBWC with 2.0/Bullseye, which is the max recommended for that bullet in the Hornady manual. Seating depth is flush (.920") and a slight roll crimp is applied over the bullet shoulder. The sooting stopped and this is an accurate load, so much so that I think this is the bullet I will stick with from now on. Considering the small size and light weight of the HE I use it in and the knife edge front sight (with corresponding slim topstrap groove), I typically very seldom shoot at anything past 50 or 60 feet. The WC doesn't give up anything to another style of bullet under these circumstances. I would expect it would lose stability at longer ranges.

I think .32 Long data is kept pretty conservative owing to all of the old guns out there. I believe there is some latitude in stepping it up in improved I-frames and J-frames by the careful handloader but I am not inclined to look into it (at least not at the present).

I have recently seen a Model 31 in 2" in a pawn shop....maybe I have an excuse for another gun to experiment with .
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Old 07-24-2011, 02:05 PM
S&WIowegan S&WIowegan is offline
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Smile Try VV N310

The Vihtavouri powders are so clean-burning I think you would really enjoy using them. I use 310 in all my 45 ACP/AR/GAP loads with marvelous results. I know it costs more but heck, you only use a wee skosh.
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Old 08-04-2011, 11:17 AM
ColbyBruce ColbyBruce is offline
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Does anybody load the JHP bullets made for the .32 H&R magnum in .32 Long?
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Old 08-04-2011, 03:56 PM
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I have done, but it is a waste of money as they did nothing better than cast and swaged, take your pick, could do. You will never drive them fast enough, safely, to have them open up and with a higher friction co-efficient the pressures are going to climb higher; all other things being equal. Maybe at Magnum velocities and pressures but never at Long pressures and velocities.
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Old 08-05-2011, 10:57 AM
walnutred walnutred is online now
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If I want something different I load up the old 118 gn Lyman RNFP designed for the 32-20. In fact when I hunted groundhogs with an old 4” Regulation Police that was my favorite bullet.
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