32 S&W long test results:

[sjmjax]

I like the .32 SWL and have a nice assortment of Colt & S&W revolvers in that caliber.

My favorite is a 4” model 31-1 that is usually remarkably accurate considering the small frame and minimal non-adjustable sights.

I wanted to compare several different bullets performance with minimal variables.
Unfortunately, this probably wasn’t my best efforts at accurate shooting for this test. But,I think some interesting general observations are valid.

Brass R-P (previously fired)
Primers CCI
Powder HP-38 3.0 grains metered by #1 rotor Lil’Dand.
All bullets seated to 1.220 except the wadcutter

Bullets:
Barry’s plated RNFP 100 grain - 646 ft/s
Rainier plated RNHP 100 grain - 681 ft/s
Space Coast LRNFP 100 grain - 791 ft/s
Hornady LSWL 90 grain - 911 ft/s
Hornady LHBWC 90 grain - 945 ft/s

Observations:
Target is 2” “Shoot-n-See” at 15 yards.
Best group in order:
Rainier
Hornady SWC
Hornady HBWC
Barry’s
Space Coast

None were “awful”. But the top three noticeable tighter groups.
The top three were quite similar with 7-8 out of 12 rounds in the 2” target.

As I have learned since starting to convert to plated bullets. The powder charges required to get a specific velocity is considerably greater than required for a similar weight and design lead bullet.

As previously mentioned, probably not my best shooting today. May try the same again soon. Except I’ll down load the wadcutters as I believe that 900 ft/sec is excessive.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I love 32 S&W Long! I Like Hornady 90grain LSWC and have a few thousand left. I Like Hornady cast 117 RNFP, Invented for the 32-20, it is also the correct bullet for 32 Colt New Police and the Colt's Banker Special.

I own the Lee mold for the 90 grain SWC Tumble Lube, but never got it to shoot well.

I own three or four bullet sizers, but currently only use a Lyman 450 that has the built in heater. Currently I only use the SPG lube, although designed for Black Powder it works great on small diameter smokeless loads too. Since I load the 117 RNFP in several cartridges, I cast large quantities at once and size as needed in .309-, .311-, & .314-inch diameters.

Powder Charge: 2.5 grains of HP 38/Win 231 is what Hodgdon thought of as Max in the late 70's/early 80's and 2.7 was Hornady's max in edition #9. 3.1 grains was the soft lead max load for H&R Mag.
I don't think you'll hurt a Model 30 or 31 BUT ANY TOP BREAK may be damaged by that load.

Ivan

 

[Alk8944]

It is Berry's, with an E, not Barry's!

Have you actually weighed charges thrown by your Little Dandy. or do you rely on the RCBS chart? Many rotors for this powder measure don't throw anything near what the chart says! I have had a Little Dandy for many years, probably over 40, and, I believe, every drum that is available for it! I ended up making my own chart as none of my rotors threw the weight RCBS said they were supposed to. Several I had to deepen the cavity because they were so light!

The 300 FPS velocity spread for your loads with different bullets seems awfully high. When using the Little Dan measure, or any for that matter, you need to be very deliberate rotating the rotors from stop to stop to get consistent weights. Keeping the hopper full helps too.

The bullet I particularly like for my .32 S&W Long loads is the old Remington 100 gr. JSP that was made for the .32-20. I have shot groups under 4" @ 100 yds with it from my K-32, open sights from a rest. My eyes were a lot better then! Try whatever 100 gr. JSP you can find and see how you like them. My other favorite .32 bullet for all .32 revolvers I have except .32 S&W, is Lyman 3118 sized .315" and lubed with Saeco Green bullet lube. It is a RNFP and weighs 115 gr. nominally. Many commercial casters make that, or similar, bullets.

For Ivan the butcher: THERE ARE NO .32 S&W LONG TOP BREAK REVOLVERS! They are all for the .32 S&w! Someone always mentions this, but it is untrue! The only exceptions are H&R guns made well into the 20th century, and they are fully as strong as needed for any reasonable book load for this cartridge.

 

[sjmjax]

You’re quite correct on the Lil’Dandy charts.
It’s only a guide for initial rotor selection.
Charges are checked repeatedly.

The spread doesn’t surprise me at all.
I’m consistently seeing that pattern when comparing plated bullets to similar soft lead.
I believe the coefficient of friction between dry copper on steel vs lubricated lead on steel is significant.

I’m working on a report regarding my experiment with a 357 wad cutter load. I see the same pattern there. About a 100-150 ft/s difference between plain lead and plated all other factors the same.

 

[Wallyzworld]

You might try the 105 grain SWC from Bear Creek Supply. I have shot their lead bullets for years in other calibers and can highly recommend. Recently pick up a Hand Ejector in 32 WCF and needed some bullets. Went down and picked up some of their 118 grain 32-20 bullets and asked about another 32 cal bullet, he recommended their 105 grain SWC. Haven't had a chance to shoot the revolver yet, so we will see.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

For Ivan the butcher: THERE ARE NO .32 S&W LONG TOP BREAK REVOLVERS! They are all for the .32 S&w! Someone always mentions this, but it is untrue! The only exceptions are H&R guns made well into the 20th century, and they are fully as strong as needed for any reasonable book load for this cartridge.

I had to look that up! I've owned so many, I honestly thought everyone made Top-Breaks in 32 S&W Long! Every day I learn something, is a good day! Thanks

Ivan

 

[Green Frog]

I agree with Alk8944 on the Ideal 3118 mould (now Lyman 311008j that makes a nice heavy weight (at least for the 32 S&W L ) bullet. This adds versatility to the round.

It’s sad that both of the swaged Hornady bullets sjmjax mentions seem to have been discontinued by Hornady, but I believe Speer (or Sierra?) may be making something similar. Also, Lee makes tumble lube moulds that pretty much replicate the SWC and make a DEWC version to replace the HBWC.

One of the attractions of the 32 S&W L is this ability to shoot well with a wide variety of bullet weights and styles. From 85 to 95 to 105 to 115 grains, this little cartridge is very willing and versatile to do whatever the shooter desires. Of course if you have a strong revolver with 32 H&R or even 327 FM, your options increase, but that’s a discussion for another thread.

Froggie

 

[Bastogne71]

I also have a 4” model 31-1. The best load to date is with the Hornady 90 grain LSWC driven by 2.0 grains of Vihtavuori N310 powder and a CCI-500 primer. This load yields about 793 fps with a standard deviation of 14 with very good accuracy and clean burning as well. This is my go to load for all my 32’s but Hornady discontinued this bullet several years ago so eventually I’ll be searching for a replacement since I don’t cast my own.

I see that Berry’s lists a 100 grain bullet they say is for the 30 Super Carry round. Well it’s actually a 0.312 caliber, the same diameter as for the 32 long, 32 H&R Mag, and the 327 Federal. If I can find some I’ll give them a try in the magnums.

 

[sjmjax]

It’s Berry’s Super Carry bullet that I used in my test.

Working on a second round of samples now.

One thing I’ve discovered is some brands of brass do not securely hold the .312 diameter plated bullets securely.
Most of the lead bullets I have on hand tend to run 0.313-0.314 diameter.

Also re-sorting my brass.
The thickness of the material at the case mouth varies from one brand to another more than I expected.
Most brands it’s about 0.012. Others are as thin as 0.010. Some are lopsided. One side thicker than the other.

Also disappointed about the Hornady products. They appear to show much promise. My supply is quite limited.

 

[mtgianni]

I have a pre 31 4".
My two best loads are the RCBS 98 swc and 2.3 gr BE. I used to shoot 2.5 but ran it through a Labradar and slowed it down some. Readout red 875 on two guns shooting the same loaded on two different machines.
Second best is the Lee 90 swc and 2 gr BE.

 

[SS336]

It is

Have you actually weighed charges thrown by your Little Dandy. or do you rely on the RCBS chart? Many rotors for this powder measure don't throw anything near what the chart says! I have had a Little Dandy for many years, probably over 40, and, I believe, every drum that is available for it! I ended up making my own chart as none of my rotors threw the weight RCBS said they were supposed to. Several I had to deepen the cavity because they were so light!

The Lil’ Dandy will work fine at least it does for me. I agree that you should ignore the RCBS chart, it’s not even close.
Everyone operates it differently, so make your own chart with the powders you will use and everything will be more consistent ans accuracy will improve.
Here is my chart for Unique, my favorite pistol powder. It will be different than yours, depending how you work the rotor.