wadcutter in 32mag, 32 s&w long?

sw dan · Sep 9, 2013

hi s&w fans,
does anyone load the 90gn wadcutter in the 32mag, and 32 s&w long? and if so, what powder are you using? thanks sw dan

jepp2 · Sep 9, 2013

I have loaded them in the past for my 32 H&R and my 32-20. Used the faster burning powders of 231, Bullseye, and some Green Dot. I have transitioned now to cast bullets and for my loads I am much happier. For those I use slower powders for the higher pressure/velocity. I am loading to around 20K PSI for the BHN 16 bullets.

jeeps · Sep 9, 2013

3.5 Unique in 32 long with 90 wadcutter.

H Richard · Sep 9, 2013

Here's some loading data I worked up. The 2.3 gr 231 with the Speer 98 gr HBWC was super accurate.

bobbyd · Sep 9, 2013

Have been loading wadcutters for my Walther GSP's for years.
Tried most of the faster powders and settled on HP38/W231 for accuracy, consistency and cleanliness.
2.0 grains with HBWC's and another tenth or two for cast wadcutters.
For .32SWL revolvers, I use 2.5 grains with either cast wadcutters or semiwadcutters, pretty much for all bullet weights. As this is a mild mannered mouse cartridge to start with, I never felt the need to move beyond powder puff velocities.

sw dan · Sep 9, 2013

32mag/32s&w long

hi folks,
the reason i ask this question, i do shoot silhouettes at 40,60 75,100yds, with a 10" contender, and also, have and shoot the above with a marlin 1894 in 32mag, and just looking for an accurate load. so even if the load is a little hot, both guns will take the pressure.
thanks.....sw dan

bobbyd · Sep 9, 2013

I would question whether or not the 90 gr. full wadcutter would hold its accuracy/stability at some of those longer ranges.
Would also wonder how well a flush seated wadcutter would feed in a lever action rifle?
Sounds like you have some testing to do and that might well include trying out a relatively slower powder (like Unique) as well.

M29since14 · Sep 9, 2013

I load wadcutters (preferably Hornadys) in .32 SWL brass and use 700-X powder. I have more experience shooting these in a 6-inch Model 16-4 than anything else. In that particular gun the SWL brass was no drawback. I was not able to improve accuracy with .32 HRM brass and so used SWL brass exclusively when making light loads for paper punching. In fairness, Speer's wadcutters work well too but they are messier to load.

jepp2 · Sep 9, 2013

sw dan said:
hi folks,
the reason i ask this question, i do shoot silhouettes at 40,60 75,100yds, with a 10" contender, and also, have and shoot the above with a marlin 1894 in 32mag, and just looking for an accurate load. so even if the load is a little hot, both guns will take the pressure.
thanks.....sw dan

If that is what you are going to shoot, I would think these would work much better for you. Swaged bullets will not like being driven that fast.

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stu1ritter · Sep 10, 2013

H Richard said:
Here's some loading data I worked up. The 2.3 gr 231 with the Speer 98 gr HBWC was super accurate.

H Richard, what length barrel were those velocities obtained from?
thanks,
Stu

dsink · Sep 10, 2013

I agree with jepp2. For 75 & 100yds, the full wadcutter will become unstable. You will want to use a semi-wadcutter. And if your shooting steel silhouettes, you will also want to go up in bullet weight to get reliable knockdown on the rams and turkeys.

Many years ago when I shot silhouettes, T/C had just come out with a 32 H&R mag barrel and everyone was using them. Super accurate and easy on recoil. Most everyone shot 120gr LSWC or the Speer 110gr jhp rifle bullet in 308. I dont recall anyone shooting a bullet less than 110gr. The extra bullet weight was needed to knock over the 100yd rams.

The T/C actually has a .308 dia. barrel and the Speers made a great, super accurate load with some Win. 296.

Jellybean · Sep 10, 2013

I've only shot Speer HBWC's at 100 yds, and at lower .32 S&WL velocities than you're thinking, and they worked very good. They also worked well shot reversed from a .303 British at higher velocities, in case anyone cares.

I'd think they'd be more stable at long ranges than a solid wadcutter, and both of those would be more stable than a SWC. But you might consider the thought of heavier bullets as you will need the momentum more than a higher kinetic energy level.

My .32 mag is a Taurus 76 and the cylinder was long enough to handle 7.62X39 FMJ bullets seated and crimped in a .32 S&WL case. I never shot them at distance but out to 25 yards they were very impressive. Experiment with the firearms you have to see if you can seat longer, or non traditional bullets, sort of ala "Keith".

H Richard · Sep 10, 2013

O.K. since you're looking for a little hotter load, this is with Jacketed. The load is notated on the target. You can see the results. There is also a load for the Hornady 85 gr. XTP which is just as accurate.

I wish we still had a NRA Hunter Pistol Silhouette range close to me, I enjoyed it quite a bit back in the late 80's.

wadcutter in 32mag, 32 s&w long?

sw dan

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jeeps

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H Richard

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sw dan

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