32 H&R Magnum prices!

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brian10xaz

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I'm bidding on a couple S&Ws in 32H&R magnum. I'm shocked at the prices for ammo. A buck a round? Are you nuts?

I used to reload, and now I'm starting to regret selling my equipment.

Is there any hope these crazy ammo prices will come down to sane levels?
 
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I'd say two things:

The more revolvers that come out in that caliber the lower the cost will go.

And second, 32 SWL can be had 15.00 bucks per 50 rounds if you look around and buy by the case (1000 rounds). I intend to treat my 32 just like I do my 38/357s. Meaning most training is done with cheaper ammo (38) and final honing/quals are with 357.
 
brian10xaz said:
Are you nuts?
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Yes but what's it got to do with anything?
brian10xaz said:
Is there any hope these crazy ammo prices will come down to sane levels?
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No. Have you ever seen store-bought ammo prices drop? (The kind of ammo non-gun-nuts buy?)
Nomadmax said:
I'd say two things:

The more revolvers that come out in that caliber the lower the cost will go.

And second, 32 SWL can be had 15.00 bucks per 50 rounds if you look around and buy by the case (1000 rounds). I intend to treat my 32 just like I do my 38/357s. Meaning most training is done with cheaper ammo (38) and final honing/quals are with 357.
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That's what you and me would do, but the casual gun buyer isn't going to do that. And the high ammo prices are what's going to keep 32 revolvers from getting mass-marketed.
All revolvers are high because they are no longer the main gun that people are shooting.

I do not see prices coming down for any kind of revolver or their ammo.
 
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I just bought a Bisley Single Six in 32 H+R Magnum planning on shooting it with my reloads. If I didn't reload I never would have bought it. Same thing with my 22KHornet rifle....if I had to find and pay the price for factory ammo I wouldn't own them
 
7 years ago I bought 24 boxes of 32 H&R and 327 Federal at an auction for 70 dollars... Took me a couple years to find a Ruger SP101 in 327 Fed. other than a couple 20 rd boxes of 32 H&R for 10 dollars a box at a gun show I haven't found either caliber for under 35 dollars since I am surely glad I rekiad the calibers. It is a fun caliber to shoot and in the right gun can be loaded to better vels than factory...the price will not be dropping in the guture...OP is Gonna have to get back to reloading I guess...

Hanging my head in shame I now have 5 32 caliber handguns ...well 6 if you count the S&W 32-20
 
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max503 said:
Yes but what's got to do with anything?

No. Have you ever seen store-bought ammo prices drop? (The kind of ammo non-gun-nuts buy?)

That's what you and me would do, but the casual gun buyer isn't going to do that. And the high ammo prices are what's going to keep 32 revolvers from getting mass-marketed.
All revolvers are high because they are no longer the main gun that people are shooting.

I do not see prices coming down for any kind of revolver or their ammo.
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I think the 32 revolver production could pick up. Lots of old guys like me that have arthritic hands, women and others who just don't want the recoil of a 38 in a light revolver.

Or, I'm dead wrong. I'm past the point in my life where I let cost stand in the way of what I want to do or buy. I don't mean that in a uppity way, just that I intend to have a good time, regardless of cost.
 
Starline has 32 H&R brass right now if you need it to get started reloading again! They also have 32 S&W Long along with 32 S&W (short). They have 32-20, 327 Federal brass showing the green light.:)
Looks like their prices are reasonable, which has always impressed me.

Looks like they are stocked up with a lot of pistol brass at the moment.
 
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Years ago I bought a used, Lyman 32 wadcutter mold, hoping to find a gun to use it with.

I've yet to find something I want. I'm not really wanting a Taurus, H&R, or Charter Arms.
At least the boolit works good in 30-30 and 30-06.
I wouldn't mind having a Charter Arms Professional if they weren't so cashy. A Ruger Blackhawk would be nice if I could get a deal.
 
max503 said:
Years ago I bought a used, Lyman 32 wadcutter mold, hoping to find a gun to use it with.

I've yet to find something I want. I'm not really wanting a Taurus, H&R, or Charter Arms.
At least the boolit works good in 30-30 and 30-06.
I wouldn't mind having a Charter Arms Professional if they weren't so cashy. A Ruger Blackhawk would be nice if I could get a deal.
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I frame 32 longs have gone from $350 ten years ago to double that. Either Lyman mold or the RCBS wadcutter are worth running in a decent shooter.
 
Nomadmax said:
I think the 32 revolver production could pick up. Lots of old guys like me that have arthritic hands, women and others who just don't want the recoil of a 38 in a light revolver.

Or, I'm dead wrong. I'm past the point in my life where I let cost stand in the way of what I want to do or buy. I don't mean that in a uppity way, just that I intend to have a good time, regardless of cost.
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+1 on the recoil thing. All the smaller caliber options are getting more interest like the whole .380 debate.
Also older folks are more likely to have enough money to fuel a demand.
 
I typically stay far away from odd-ball or flash in the pan calibers. Most of the time they do nothing more than what is already on the market for multi-decades and cost a fortune along with being very difficult to find even if you have deep pockets. With the cost of reloading components now days, that's no bargain either!

When company's come out with "in-between calibers" I smirk, chuckle and KNOW it's just a marketing ploy to sell more product. I also know 95% of the time the new caliber will be short lived in popularity, hard to find and very pricy when you do. Not for me! There are more than enough long time and established calibers available for any purpose one can think of.

Let's see how long the .21 Winchester RF is here for.
 
The .32 Mag. is very popular in CAS for men and women. My wife shoots a pair of Single Sixes and they are pretty cheap to load. They only take a few grains of powder and take down knockdown targets easily with low recoil. Popularity of those guns have spiked prices, but can be found reasonably if you're patient.
 
Zoner said:
I just bought a Bisley Single Six in 32 H+R Magnum planning on shooting it with my reloads. If I didn't reload I never would have bought it. Same thing with my 22KHornet rifle....if I had to find and pay the price for factory ammo I wouldn't own them
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Same here (.45-70, 6.5x55, .22 Creedmoor). And I would shoot a lot less .357 Magnum if I couldn't tailor my loads to each gun. Factory ammo sucks.
 
I really like the round, but I've yet to buy any that was already loaded. :) I have been happy with its performance in loads that wouldn't be sensible in some of the guns chambered for the SAAMI specs of the .32 H&R Magnum (e.g., 1400+ fps from a 6.5" barrel with 115-gr hardcasts) .



Get back into reloading, my man! This is a round that really responds to it. :)
 
A 115 gr bullet @ 1400 fps in a 32 H&R? Would you be willing to share that recipe (publicly here or via PM)? I’ve got that mould and both a Ruger Blackhawk and a S&W Model 631 from which I’d love to get that level of performance. You’re up in the performance range of my 327 Fed Mags.

Froggie
 
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Green Frog said:
A 115 gr bullet @ 1400 fps in a 32 H&R? Would you be willing to share that recipe (publicly here or via PM)? I’ve got that mould and both a Ruger Blackhawk and a S&W Model 631 from which I’d love to get that level of performance. You’re up in the performance range of my 327 Fed Mags.

Froggie
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This particular load is from Brian Pearce's detailed .32 H&R Mag article in Handloader 316 (Oct 2018) and listed as "+P," whatever that means. Look for PM.

People should also consult Handloader 303 (Aug 2016) and 270 (Feb 2011) for good info on the .32 H&R Magnum.
 
I agree reloading is the only way to have cheaper 32 ammo. I have 5 grandkids and we all go to range with case full of 32 revolvers and ammo. I love the 327 magnum revolvers. I will start them shooting 32 ACP, 32 shorts, and then 32 h&r and finally 327.
Once they handle the little stuff then grandpa's fun begins! I will chamber six shots with different bullets. Shot can be mild or wild, they understand that trgger control and sight picture then squeeze the trigger!
Occasionally one of the kids flinch when pulling trigger, then they get no recoil when it's a 32 acp :)
 
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