Looking for loading data for S&W K-32 or Model 16

[Deadeye_Dan]

Next week, I will be aquiring a S&W 16-3, and I am wondering if anyone out there has some loading data they would like to share?

I am not interested in making it into a 32 H&R, or a 327 Federal, but would like to use it humanely on varmints and such. As the targets will be smaller, suffice to say, accuracy is also paramount!

Thanks
Dan

 

[Green Frog]

Any published data for any 32 S&WL will be safe in that gun. I had an homage built when I was offered a NOS Model 16 barrel. I had it installed on a 14-3 along with a reamed Model 17-? Cylinder. That was supposedly how S&W made them sometimes when they got a hurry up order. I’ve loaded 96 gr LSWCs over 2.5 gr of Bullseye for all of my 32s for years with excellent results and have also loaded a 105 gr LSWC over W231 lately but I haven’t memorized the charge weight… I got it off of a powder company website.
Froggie
PS Congratulations on your acquisition. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do my 32s.

 

[Model19man]

Loading data for the 32 Smith and Wesson Long: Reloading The .32 Smith & Wesson Long - Reload Ammo

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I still have a couple thousand of the discontinued Hornady 90 grain lead SWC. They perform very well with WW231.

I bought the Lee tumble lube mold to see if that would be a good replacement, apparently NOT! I have the Lyman 84 grain RN mold, it also likes WW231.

Several years ago Midway had a brass sale and I picked up a bag of 500. They sit there all loaded waiting for pidgins, but I moved to town and can't harvest them!

Unique works very well, but you need either a Lyman 55 powder measurer OR use a screwdriver handle and SMACK the barrel area on the measurer on both the upstroke and the downstroke. this settles everything for even drops! If you like Unique and small cases, a Lyman is worth finding!

Ivan

 

[bgrafsr]

Buffalo Bore makes some good .32 Long ammo.

 

[Bastogne71]

My current pet load for my 4” model 31-1 is 2.0 grains of Vihtavuori N310 powder with a Hornady 90 grain SWC. This yields good accuracy, clean burning, consistence performance, and all at 800 fps.

Unfortunately, this bullet has been discontinued by Hornady so when my supply runs out, I’ll have to find another 98-100 grain bullet that works as well or better. But i will stick with N310 powder.

 

[Bruce51]

Missouri bullet company has an excellent bullet for the .32SWL.

The Cowboy #6 100 grain .313 diameter RNFP at $38 per 500 performs well with Unique or Bullseye.

The most interesting and useful data I have found is from Ken Water's Pet Loads.

His insight into load performance helps in choosing a good load for the .32SWL.

OTOH data from Speer #10 is quite mild and safe. However I find light loads of Unique tends to leave some unburned powder granules.

I would love to have a model 16 but find them to be unobtainable here on the left coast.

Bruce 51

 

[Forrest r]

I'd be taking a hard look at wc and hbwc bullets and make target loads for that revolver.

.32 S&W Long Wadcutter Loads for H&R 733.

In that link there's a graph that shows pretty impressive penetration from 85gr wc's doing 750fps.

Used to cast/shoot these wc's & hbwc's.

Didn't like this lee rn bullet so I played around and made this simple swaging die to make a hbwc bullet out of the rn bullets for the 32cals.

 

[venomballistics]

I long thought about adding a 32 to the collection for its resource frugal attributes.
I like the work you did there Forrest r

 

[rockquarry]

Lyman has a lot of loads.

 

[Bruce51]

We should note that the OP stated that the goal was to humanly dispatch animals with the .32.

Factory loads in a 6" barrel are no faster than 743 fps. Shorter barrels even less.

Ken Water's noted that five shots into the neck of a deer appeared to have no effect at all.

The bullets were found under the hide before the flesh or bone and without deformation.

Reloaded .32's in a six inch barrel can easily reach 950 fps with 224 fp of muzzle energy.

For target shooting load them light. If dispatching is required load to an adequate level of velocity and energy.

Bruce 51

 

[mtgianni]

I bought the Lee tumble lube mold to see if that would be a good replacement, apparently NOT! I have the Lyman 84 grain RN mold, it also likes WW231.


Unique works very well, but you need either a Lyman 55 powder measurer OR use a screwdriver handle and SMACK the barrel area on the measurer on both the upstroke and the downstroke. this settles everything for even drops! If you like Unique and small cases, a Lyman is worth finding!

Ivan

Ivan, I have had good luck with the Lee 90 gr TL and 2.3 gr BE in a 32 long case.

OP, I like the RCBS 98 gr swc and 3-3.7 gr Unique. As Ivan says make sure it all gets in the case.

 

[Jebus35745]

Welcome to the .32 club. Have about 8 K frame size revolvers, 2 T/C Contender barrels and load only 1.8 gr of 231 with 98gr HBWC’s exclusively. Normally shoot double action and like the low recoil. Fun caliber, enjoy.

Same with .38 special, 3.0 gr 231 with 148 gr HBWC. The HBWC’s seem the most accurate. Keep life simple, Larry

 

[Green Frog]

If you run out of suggestions or can't find one you like here, you might try looking over at the forum where they can't spell (Cast Boolits) where we flog this topic over and over and over and...

There is even a community that limits itself exclusively to topics on the 32, started by an obscure amphibian.

Froggie

 

[huthike]

I always enjoy your comments on the .32’s, green one. Where is this community you speak of?

 

[raljr1]

Missouri bullet company has an excellent bullet for the .32SWL.


Bruce 51

I use 2.4 grains of W231 behind this Missouri 100 gr bullet.

 

[Green Frog]

I always enjoy your comments on the .32’s, green one. Where is this community you speak of?

A while back, I started this thread;

Poll: The 32 Retinue

Then started a group in the communities using the same name. There hasn't been a lot of activity on either for quite a while, but both will lead you to lots of good conversation.

Froggie

 

[Green Frog]

Deadeye_Dan,

Your post has revealed how exciting and hard to find your Model 16-3 is. You have gotten responses from a variety of sources with a great deal of knowledge and you will really enjoy owning and shooting it, assisted by that knowledge.

In return, please be so kind as to provide us with pictures of the revolver when it arrives and a full range report. We feed on that kind of thing around here!

Regards,
Green Frog

 

[Green Frog]

PS If you were on this side of the country, I'd try to get together with you and help with some loading expertise, but it's a long way from VA to OR, so we'll have to handle it on here or by PM. Stay in touch. You're starting on a great ride!

 

[Inland7-45]

In addition to the K-32 there are some really nice guns from S&W , Colt and Ruger that fire .32 S&W Long. I have 3 I frames and have been loading for this caliber for a few years. I have had good luck with Missouri Bullet Co. RNFP and I have picked up an RCBS mold for a similar bullet. Not sure about availability of Starline right now but I will think that PPU is available again. I have been using data from the RCBS manual for their 98-100 gr RNFP with CCI small pistol primers and W231. Dies are RCBS Cowboy with carbide sizer.

I have loaded over 1,500 rounds during the last run. This combination of components and data has worked great in my small framed S&Ws.

Congratulations on finding a K-32.