Trying to find new load for 32 S&W long. Satisfied for now.

[walnutred]

My standard load uses BE and the Lee 90 TL semi wadcutter. However I have 1000, lead 108gn RNFP on hand and I'd like to find a good J frame load using one of the old school powders I have on hand such as BE, Unique or 231. Presently I'm thinking of scaling back the 115gn Unique load to 3.0 gns and maybe work up to 3.5.

What ended up working well so far is 2.2 gns of Bullseye under the 108 gn RNFP set to 1.18". Not sure of the velocity but it shoot's to point of aim at 50', which is all I'm looking for out of this pistol. I have a 32 H&R Mag if I want more velocity.

 

[M29since14]

I use W231 with the RCBS 103-gr Keith type SWC sized 0.314”. It has been very accurate in both .32 SWL and .32 HRM S&W revolvers. I’ve always been more than satisfied with this combination and never bothered to try Unique, though I have experimented with Bullseye and 700X. Your idea to back off slightly from the Unique data and work up seems reasonable.

 

[raljr1]

I used 2.4 gr of 231 behind a 100 gr Missouri LSWC.

 

[Green Frog]

Go with factory recommended loads of Bullseye or HP38/231 and that bullet… you can’t go wrong. I personally use 2.5 gr Bullseye pretty often with my 95-105 gr lead bullet loads… they go through my old I frames nicely, so they have become sort of go-to ammo for all of my 32s.

Froggie

 

[walnutred]

Go with factory recommended loads of Bullseye or HP38/231 and that bullet… you can’t go wrong. I personally use 2.5 gr Bullseye pretty often with my 95-105 gr lead bullet loads… they go through my old I frames nicely, so they have become sort of go-to ammo for all of my 32s.

Froggie

2.5 gn of BE is the load I use with the 90gn Lee TL bullet.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have loaded 32 Long with both the Lee and Hornady lead SWC, using WW231, Unique, and Trail Boss. I have done a few hundred of each of these, with very good results.

But I prefer the 32 Colt New Police load, using the 32-20 bullet 115-117 RNFP (.314" Dia.) again using 231 or Unique. (I would suggest you use the 108 gr RNFP bullets with that info.)

Loading data for these loads using Bullseye, Red Dot and Unique can be found in Lyman #44 (now online) Lyman #45 and the Cast Bullet handbook #3. (#3 CBH has 231 loads) Older Hodgdon loading magazines have 32 long in Top Break and Cowboy loads (the 2022 has dropped many small handguns!)

Depending on your powder supply, you may want to try Black Powder (3f or 4f) or one of the substitutes. Like a Cap and Ball revolver, put bullet lube in the chamber mouths (Bore Butter or a Crisco blend)

Lots of choices!

Ivan

 

[Eddie Southgate]

I like Longshot .

 

[Cotis]

Go with factory recommended loads of Bullseye or HP38/231 and that bullet… you can’t go wrong. I personally use 2.5 gr Bullseye pretty often with my 95-105 gr lead bullet loads… they go through my old I frames nicely, so they have become sort of go-to ammo for all of my 32s.

Froggie

This is mildly reassuring to me. I worked up some loads for my old I frame using Bullseye and a 100 grain lead Missouri bullet. I went to reload my 100 shells one night and went nuts trying to find them. Eventually I looked in my “loaded” boxes area and found that I had already reloaded them! The sticker I had on the box said I used 2.5 grains of Bullseye which had me concerned it might be a little too hot in that old revolver. My notes from load development said that combo shot great through the pistol. I really don’t want to blow it up as I don’t normally chase speed when reloading.

 

[GBertolet]

I have had good luck with the Lee 100 gr RN with 2.5 gr of Bullseye. Of course I am shooting it in a K frame. You could drop it a few tenths and work back up. Here is some good reading.


The .32 S&W Long: A Handgun Hunter's Perspective - By Glen E. Fryxell

 

[mtgianni]

I had good luck with a book load of AA2 and the 3118. Disregard that that was in 32 H&R. I believe the Western powders manual also has info for 32 long but not that heavy of a bullet.

 

[Green Frog]

This is mildly reassuring to me. I worked up some loads for my old I frame using Bullseye and a 100 grain lead Missouri bullet. I went to reload my 100 shells one night and went nuts trying to find them. Eventually I looked in my “loaded” boxes area and found that I had already reloaded them! The sticker I had on the box said I used 2.5 grains of Bullseye which had me concerned it might be a little too hot in that old revolver. My notes from load development said that combo shot great through the pistol. I really don’t want to blow it up as I don’t normally chase speed when reloading.

I wouldn't use that load in an early, pre-WW 1 vintage I frame, but by the time you get to the 4th and 5th Change, I would feel comfortable shooting them all day long... in fact I have! If you have any concern about those 100 loaded rounds, just send them to me for proper disposal.

Froggie

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

Like Froggie already said…
My go to load has been 2.5gr Bullseye and lee tumble lube bullet. I powder coat mine.

I’ve also had good success with 3gr of HP38 same as W231. Running these loads in guns new enough to have heat treated cylinders.

 

[Cotis]

I wouldn't use that load in an early, pre-WW 1 vintage I frame, but by the time you get to the 4th and 5th Change, I would feel comfortable shooting them all day long... in fact I have! If you have any concern about those 100 loaded rounds, just send them to me for proper disposal.

Froggie

Froggie,
I just saw this older post, thank you for responding. Now that I have a SCSW book I can confidently sat that my .32 HE Model of 1903 is a 5th change - my serial number is 167823. So unfortunately for you I do not need these loads disposed of .

I am curious though, why do you feel the 4th and 5th changes can take more of a beating?

 

[Green Frog]

The 4th and 5th changes were later iterations obviously. That said, I would expect them to have the best steel and heat treatment and of course parts that would also be more easily found if repair were needed. I don’t say this with any real authority, just my personal feelings on it.

BTW, did you ever find a W231/HP38 load you liked with that bullet?

Froggie

 

[walnutred]

T

BTW, did you ever find a W231/HP38 load you liked with that bullet?

Froggie

If you are referring to my original post no, but I've just got back to the project. I sized and primed a couple hundred brass this morning and plan on loading this afternoon. I don't have a caliber conversion for my Dillon so will be using my old Lyman Turret press.

 

[Green Frog]

My Lyman All American is semi-permanently set up for 327 Fed Mag, so I size and decap 32 S&W Long on it as well, then usually go over to the TruLine Jr to finish them up.

Froggie

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I believe the Mrs. Walnut Red has absconded with his 4" 32 SWL, and he has the keep her happy so she doesn't abscond with any of his other handguns! I checked my best 32SWL load was for solid top strap revolvers and was the 90 gr Hornady Lead SWC .314 over 3.1 of HP38/WW231, very accurate in 2" and 4" revolvers. (this should interchange with the Lee 90 gr. TL bullet nicely.)

Like I said above I like the 32 Colt New Police loading with the 32-20 bullet in 108 or 117 grains, but have an 84 RN bullet mold that has served well for 35 years also (I like this bullet for other 30/32 rounds too, and load it in 32 ACP cases using 32 SW (short) loading data (2.1 gr WW231). I use it in my derringers and Top Break revolvers in "Belly Gun" side matches when SASS shooting. When I could see better, this would split a playing card edgewise at 10' in 66 to 75% of the time!

Ivan

 

[LostintheOzone]

I use an old supply of SR-7625. I only have a few pounds left and it's no longer available.

An equivalent chart lists these.

AP70N, Universal, Unique, AA#5, N330

Powder equivalents – ADI World Class Powders and Ammunition

I would probably try one of these or 231 before using Bullseye. Bullseye is impossible to find now anyway. I have a feeling BE-86 replaced it.

 

[tinkerer]

"Presently I'm thinking of scaling back the 115gn Unique load to 3.0 gns and maybe work up to 3.5."

Had to read that part of the sentence several times...Would be a right powerful load out of anything....

 

[walnutred]

"Presently I'm thinking of scaling back the 115gn Unique load to 3.0 gns and maybe work up to 3.5."

Had to read that part of the sentence several times...Would be a right powerful load out of anything....

That's listed in my old Lyman 45 reloading manual, and most likely the first center fire loading I ever used in the mid 70's. At the time I was using it in a Stevens Favorite my dad had converted to centerfire so I could thin out groundhogs around my uncles barns.