32 cal loads for handguns

[Green Frog]

A thread over on the 1896-1961 Forum was discussing K-32s and began to drift into reloading, so I suggested we bring that portion of it over here.

I have several pre-War and one post-War I-frame in 32 S&W Long that I like to keep fed with mild loads of 2.0 grains or less of Bullseye behind WC or SWC bullets somewhere in the 95 grain range.

I haven't loaded much for the 32 H&R semi-Magnum wannabe, so I'm not going to comment on it.

What I have begun to load for my 327 Fed Mag in a full sized gun, to wit my custom Model 616 I had built and my R*G*R Blackhawk stainless 8 shooter was what I really wanted to bring out. I've tried only heavy bullets... 125 gr NOE cast about medium hard in front of the starting loads for Accurate #7 or #9. Even these starting loads are stout enough to be noticeable. Not unpleasant or painful, but noticeably stout.

OK, that starts it. What do the rest of you have to add?

Froggie

 

[planojack]

Froggie,
I load 3.3 grains of 231 for my K32 and 2.2 grains of 231 for the Target Model HE (around 1919/1920) using the Lee 90 grain SWC. They are both joys to shoot. I have a friend with one of the .327's in a Ruger. It is a handful to shoot.
Planojack

 

[mtgianni]

2.5 gr Red Dot and a Lee 90 gr Tl SWC in an I frame pre Reg police.
4.0 gr Unique and a 98 gr RCBS swc in a Ruger SS 32 H&R.
Played with AA9 and both the RCBS 98 and Ly 3118 copy [NOE]. I think heavy loads will need a gc, My CA Target Patriot only does OK with loads for the 32 Lomg & H&R. It would be nice to have them behave better in it.

 

[H Richard]

Here's a couple spread sheets for loads I worked up for these. All were shot in my 16-4. The WC 32L load doesn't break 800 fps in the 3 1/4" barrel of a Pre 30. The 32 H&R Mag loads are outstandingly accurate, and with 100 gr bullet over 1200 fps and super accurate what's not to like.

 

[Jebus35745]

Been using 3 gr of 231 for the 98 gr lead bullets and 2 gr of 231 for the HBWC. Both shoot great. I may reduce the powder to 2.5 gr for the 98 lead bullets for more of a powder puff load.
Would like to see Hammerdown give the formula for the buckshot loads. Could be fun in the basement.
Nice spread sheets H Richard, I may use some of the loads listed. Don't have the 32mag anymore but I'll save the brass just in case.
Froggie, how good does the Ruger shoot? Neat concept in with the 8 shots. Larry

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Out of the 20 some odd calibers I load for, or have loaded for, I have never loaded the .32 Long. I know it won't be any great trick to do so, but it's always nice seeing what others are loading and what their results are, or have been.

Good thread to get going Green Frog.

 

[stu1ritter]

I'm currently loading .32 SWL with 98 gr. wadcutters only and I'm using W231, Bullseye, Unique and Vhitavuori N320. I've chrono'd everything so if anyone wants data on 2" 3.25" and 4.25" barrels, I've got some. I load for both pre heat treated and heat treated cylinders.
Stu

 

[Green Frog]

I'm currently loading .32 SWL with 98 gr. wadcutters only and I'm using W231, Bullseye, Unique and Vhitavuori N320. I've chrono'd everything so if anyone wants data on 2" 3.25" and 4.25" barrels, I've got some. I load for both pre heat treated and heat treated cylinders.
Stu

Cool! My little EDC post-War 32 HE Snub would love some data for a 98 gr wadcutter, as I've got that mould. A PM would be OK if you don't want to post data publicly (I understand and am hesitant to do so myself unless it is extremely mild and from established sources.

Froggie

 

[stu1ritter]

Here are my chrono data sheets for the 4 powders. I'll open a second post to explain.
Stu

 

[stu1ritter]

The first sheet is the N320 loads. Starting very mild as one gun is 1912 and not heat treated. That is the 4.25" (later called 4). The 3.25 is a 1924 model. These are .314 sized LWC at 98gr. These were my first attempt at using a chronograph so bear with me. Where it shows RN these are S&B 100gr. and WC is MagTech 98 gr. on that first sheet. I wanted to check commercial ammo. The S&B was too hot for the early gun.

All of the following are a different bullet, being .313 with Alox/Wax/Spirits for lube, still a 98 gr. hardcast WC.

Next is W231 and the model 30 is the 2" barrel. The pre is my 1953 Pre Model 30 with 3.25" barrel. The 12 is my 1903 5th change from 1912 with 4.25" barrel.

Next is Unique and these loads were too hot for the 12.

Last is Bullseye.

All loads are in Starline brass with Winchester primers.

I have about 12 more assorted powder loads to chrono next week. I now have 4 .32's and will chrono in all of them.
Since running these loads I have also obtained pin gauges and have gauged my cylinders. I have both .313 and .314 98 gr. WC
and will be using the applicable bullet for the cylinder throats.

Stu

 

[Ethang]

My Ruger does not like you talking bad about not being a magnum and all.....

4.0 of Unique and a 100 grain Missouri Cast bullet,1000fps has been my go to since I got my Ruger. It shoots well, hits with authority and does everything I need it to do.

 

[Green Frog]

My Ruger does not like you talking bad about not being a magnum and all.....

4.0 of Unique and a 100 grain Missouri Cast bullet,1000fps has been my go to since I got my Ruger. It shoots well, hits with authority and does everything I need it to do.

Ethang,

I don't speak bad about the R*g*r BH, even on this board. I wish I still had my Buckeye Special, but I am sure by now it would be sporting a 327 Fed Mag chambering, much to the horror of collectors everywhere... likewise my late, lamented 16-4 would be so altered as well. Having shot both the H&R semi-Magnum wannabe and the truly magnum-ificent 327 Fed Magnum, I can say there is about an order of magnitude (or is it "magnum-tude?") difference in performance potential.

All that aside, I want to get a good data base assembled for the best possible loads at all levels from mild, well behaved 32 S&W short for pre-20th Century break-tops to fire breathing, ground shaking 327 Fed Mags for blowing meth headed Zombies off of their mutant racing ostriches with a single shot. (OK, maybe not that last, but you get the idea. ) That's the purpose of this thread, to get as much about reloading the whole 32 family condensed onto one page as we can. So let's keep at it!

Froggie

 

[H Richard]

I'm interested in some mild 32 S&W (short) loads. I do occasionally like to shoot a couple of 80 - 130 year old # 1 1/2's and New Departures. I haven't reloaded this case yet, as it is so teeny my old arthritic fingers have trouble handling it. So if anyone has some loads let me know.

 

[ozo]

I have always (60+yrs) stayed away from the .32's because they were cheesy and I didn't like the guns. When I was a kid, I was a cowboy and I liked cowboy guns. Still do. The dislike for the .32's has cost me dearly.
When I saw the introduction of the .327 I thought......blah, another cheesy .32 wannabe round. I was in a LGS and a saleslady was trying to sell my wife a SP-101 in .327 and I barely overheard the conversation, but I went to the other counter and asked to see some .327 ammo. I don't know what happened, magic maybe, but when I held that 'trinket' in my hand it put a spell on me. I couldn't get home fast enough to research it. It changed my whole shooting world upside down, is now my favorite caliber, and has cost me a fortune.
Now, after being overwhelmed and happy with the H&R's and the .327mag's for several years, my slothness has rendered a slap in the face. So many nice guns chambered for the H&Rmags are long out of production. Missed out. At least I got in on some excellent ones chambered for .327 before production went south on them. Whew !!!!

 

[ozo]

For the data base :

.32 H&Rmagnum
Starline brass
Any SPP
3.1gr W231
Berry's plated 83gr HBWC
[NOT seated flush with the case mouth, but 1.20" COL]
Light crimp from Lee factory crimp die

I have been loading since the late 60's, not any expert, but I began for the sole reason of making accurate loads for a given gun......because they all shoot differently...RIGHT ?
This load [posted above] has been an incredible performer, the absolute best accuracy, of all the .32 rounds I have concocted........in 2", 3", 4", and 5.5" barrels. S&W 632, SP-101, Taurus 327, Blackhawk .327, GP-100.........I have never seen one round do this before. It shoots almost identical from each gun. I would have surely bet you it was not possible.

 

[ozo]

"Been using 3 gr of 231 for the 98 gr lead bullets and 2 gr of 231 for the HBWC. Both shoot great. I may reduce the powder to 2.5 gr for the 98 lead bullets for more of a powder puff load."---Jebus

Which is this for, .32 H&R or .327Federal ?

For .327 federal :
Hodgdon and MDS says use 2.3-2.7gr W231 for 90gr wadcutter.....

This seems like such a small amount of powder. I would like to try some light loads for .327 but don't wanna stick any lead in the barrel......What throws me off is they turn around and give 5.4-6.1gr of W231 for a 90gr JHP
There is not that much difference in seating depth.....it seems like a huge distance between the charges.....unless my 71yr old mind has taken a dump.
I guess I will load some that light and shoot them, check if they lodge in the pipe....I just really hate to pull bullets [kinetic].

 

[Green Frog]

... asked to see some .327 ammo. I don't know what happened, magic maybe, but when I held that 'trinket' in my hand it put a spell on me. I couldn't get home fast enough to research it. It changed my whole shooting world upside down, is now my favorite caliber, and has cost me a fortune.

I feel your pain, ozo!

Froggie

 

[ozo]

Here is what I'm thinkin'.....
Gonna load some .327 Starline brass
Use Berry's 83gr HBWC-plated
Win WSP primers
Make two identical sets of test rounds...me and wife,
two cylinders for each of us, for each test charge of powder
Using W231 powder.....
Seating the wadcutter only to COL of 1.333" [not flush]
1) 2.8gr
2)3.2gr
3)3.5gr
4)3.9gr

All thoughts/input/criticism welcomed
I have some [same] loaded with 4.6gr W231
and they shoot all over the paper !
Didn't see 'tumbling' but she[great shot] nor I
could get them to hit worth squat.
Green Frog, I feel blessed that you started this thread.
I want/wish tons of input here for my own selfish reasons.
I hope some will come along with oodles of data.....
if not, you and I can banter amongst ourselves.
Especially for the BH .327

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

"Been using 3 gr of 231 for the 98 gr lead bullets and 2 gr of 231 for the HBWC. Both shoot great. I may reduce the powder to 2.5 gr for the 98 lead bullets for more of a powder puff load."---Jebus

Which is this for, .32 H&R or .327Federal ?

For .327 federal :
Hodgdon and MDS says use 2.3-2.7gr W231 for 90gr wadcutter.....

This seems like such a small amount of powder. I would like to try some light loads for .327 but don't wanna stick any lead in the barrel......What throws me off is they turn around and give 5.4-6.1gr of W231 for a 90gr JHP
There is not that much difference in seating depth.....it seems like a huge distance between the charges.....unless my 71yr old mind has taken a dump.
I guess I will load some that light and shoot them, check if they lodge in the pipe....I just really hate to pull bullets [kinetic].

One reason for such a gap between loads is to avoid sticking a bullet in the bore. With very light loads and jacketed bullets, it becomes a real possibility.

BTW- I could be wrong, but I think Jebus was referring to the .32 S&W with the load you asked about in the beginning of your post quoted here.

 

[ozo]

One reason for such a gap between loads is to avoid sticking a bullet in the bore. With very light loads and jacketed bullets, it becomes a real possibility.

BTW- I could be wrong, but I think Jebus was referring to the .32 S&W with the load you asked about in the beginning of your post quoted here.

When we post, it is our responsisbility to be as clear as we can, whether it it is saying a prayer for a member, a serial number reference to a gun, how much cayenne to add to a food recipe, or maybe , more so, a powder charge for an intended application. If anyone is not in agreement, you should simply not post.

My entire concern about the light load-charge-stuck in barrel-etc was just that........per Hodgdon, 2.3gr W231 90grWC seems like a candidate for pipe obstruction........
I am gonn try it, but at 2.8gr W231 to start..........although H says 2.7 is max.
Something seems way unbalanced [between data] and that's exactly why I am begging for some feedback on this.
Make any sense to you ?