32 cal loads for handguns

Green Frog said:
YUP!! :D :D :D

Skeeter built some fire breathing loads in the first Federal brass in 32 H&R. The pressure they developed is said to have caused some engineers @ HP White Labs to need a change of underwear (not really, that was just for effect) and Shooting Times had to print warnings and disclaimers (that did happen.). They probably would have been fine in a K-frame or Blackhawk, but in Single Sixes and Model 631s the were just too hot. 327 FM is designed to operate hot in suitably strong guns... that's just the way it is. Sooooo, I figure if I have a gun that will handle all of them, I'm pretty much good to go with any of them. I can shoot whatever strength I want in the appropriate cartridge. I still like the old 32-20, but it won't do anything I can't do with one or the other of the straight cylindrical 32s. I may sound like I'm preaching, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it! :cool:

Froggie
Click to expand...

I miss Skeeter...

I would love a 327, not that I would shoot many full bore loads, but I would like to be able to. The 32 Maggie at 1000fps does everything I need here in MI. I think the Blackhawk/K Frame size is overkill in the 327. Your 616 is an exception, mostly because this is the SW forum....a 16-4 is on my bucket list.

How ever, I just really love a 32 Thread...

Ethan
 
Stu, I'm on the low side of the 38 powder charge and the book says 2.7 gr of 231 with a "do not reduce" for the 32 long. Did buy some 98 gr cast bullets this weekend at the gun show. Figured 50.00 for a thousand is OK today but will buy a bunch if the prices go down a bit. Larry
 
.32 S&W (not Long)

I have used 1.0 grain loads of Bullseye in the short case with a piece of O buckshot for a bullet. It was seated flush with the case mouth and then a sliver of bullet lube applied by scraping the case mouth against the side of a stick of bullet lube. Very little is needed. These have been fired in guns far less respectable than S&W top breaks with no problems. Ken
 
ozo said:
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
Click to expand...

All did well, but the 3.2gr and the 3.5gr were clear winners.
She shot thru a S&W M632-1 and I a GP-100 4"
 
I'm impressed with a lot of these loads.
That 16-4 is sweet.

My Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook shows a .32 S&W Long load with a HP version of the .32-20 bullet moving at over 1100 FPS from a 4" model 30-1.
Not a pipsqueak, if you ask me.

Then again, neither are a lot of the loads posted in this thread.
 
Jaymo said:
I'm impressed with a lot of these loads.
That 16-4 is sweet.

My Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook shows a .32 S&W Long load with a HP version of the .32-20 bullet moving at over 1100 FPS from a 4" model 30-1.
Not a pipsqueak, if you ask me.

Then again, neither are a lot of the loads posted in this thread.
Click to expand...

I assume you refer to the 4.3 gr/Unique that Lyman has listed for something over 50 years? 1100 FPS is a bit optimistic. I have shot thousands of 4.0/Unique with the 3118 and they chronograph about 950 from my Model 16. Pressure signs with the 4.3 gr. were, well, let's just say that you should never see "pressure signs" in any standard revolver cartridge.

For whoever called the .32 H&R a "Wannabe Magnum" let me tell you about that. I have worked up loads for my 4" Ruger SP-101 with Lyman #3118 @ 112 gr. that will honestly chronograph within a very few FPS of 1400 FPS. No pressure signs and the gun shoots like a rifle. The 3118 has the same sectional density as a 158 gr .38 bullet! I defy you to get 1400 FPS from a 4" .357 Magnum revolver with a 158 cast bullet! No, the .32 H&R is no "Wannabee", it is the "Real Deal" in guns capable of using loads to it's full potential. And, NO, I will not shoot those in my 631, but I have gotten it safely to about 1200 FPS with the same bullet. And, likewise, NO, I will not post what the load(s) is/are.

And note: 1400 FPS, plain base cast bullet, Saeco Green lube, and no significant leading! Anyone who says you can't push a cast bullet over 1000FPS without terrible leading simply doesn't know what they are talking about and/or have no real experience shooting cast bullets. Bullet fit and lube are everything, alloy hardness and gas checking have virtually nothing to do with whether you get leading or not.
 
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"And note: 1400 FPS, plain base cast bullet, Saeco Green lube, and no significant leading! Anyone who says you can't push a cast bullet over 1000FPS without terrible leading simply doesn't know what they are talking about and/or have no real experience shooting cast bullets. Bullet fit and lube are everything, alloy hardness and gas checking have virtually nothing to do with whether you get leading or not."---Alk8944

Speaking of leading.......I have an 8" barrel that only gets fed 158gr TCBB Penn in .3585dia and it just came back from having repair. The gunsmith was very gracious and cleaned it to look like new, even the face of the cylinder looked new. It is a satin stainless, and it gets dirty fast.
Well, to shoot/test it I did........and I shoot the same load from it all the time....but, the first five rounds shot awful [low-left] until I had a bit of lead back in that spit-shine barrel that the gunsmith so meticulously cleaned.
People that shoot lead, understand lead....and it's great benefits.
People that complain about it are usually ones that don't shoot much of it, don't understand it, and regurgitate what they have read about it....from others that don't understand it.
 
Good stuff so far, guys! Keep those comments and recipes coming. To Alk8944 I would say, yes you can make the 32 H&R design into a real magnum, but like the 327, a hot 32 H&R then really doesn't belong in a small or weak design like the H&R offerings or the smallest Smiths or Rugers. Yes, the latter two will hold up to them for a while, but will probably be beat up badly in relatively short order by these hot loads. For that matter, I can probably make a 32 S&W Long have a strong enough charge to wreck any of those, but the brass might not be too happy either. Anyway, I figure "a little is good, more is better, and too much is just right," so the 327 fits any and all needs in the 32 family and I want a gun heavy enough to handle it, so a minimum of a K-frame Smith, a 101 or mid frame SA Ruger, or perhaps an old Colt in the mid-size or larger frame. Then if I want to shoot light, I can pick one of the "Longs," for medium, the H&R offering, and if I want to toss thunderbolts, I can do it from the same gun with the 327 FM. This is all my personal opinion and experience and you are welcome to take or leave it as you wish. ;)

Froggie
 
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I gotta agree Froggie.....
Why beat up a nice gun ? It's the same with these light guns, poly's, airweight, aluminum, etc......they are designed for a particular purpose, to be light for carry and comfort, and not designed as a range gun with hard use, but for a few rounds if need be.
I do not feel comfortable shooting heavy .327fed loads in the S&W 632-1 Pro Series as a steady diet. The GP-100 or Blackhawk, even the SP-101 maybe.......no problem.
 
Jebus35745 said:
Lets get this back on top, speaking of top is there any loads that give the 32 long a little better performance? Larry
Click to expand...

If you look at my load data (above) for W231, Unique and N320, that's the information working into the factory realm of speed/energy. I plan to do more testing and see how far I can get them up in the energy department. It seems to me that 220 ft. lbs. should be possible at around 1,000 fps used in the PROPER revolvers.

Stu
 
Jebus35745 said:
Lets get this back on top, speaking of top is there any loads that give the 32 long a little better performance? Larry
Click to expand...

The other end is why? IMO, the I frame @ 750-800 fps and a 100 gr bullet is the perfect trap line pistol. It will easily kill anything up to 50-60 lbs and is light enough to carry everywhere. In that context, 25 yards is a long shot and it doubles on small game. Like a Model T from a previous century it is built to be used and admired not to try to put a 360 engine in. It has limits and left to act inside them is an excellent cartridge.
 
Why? Because he wants to - maybe he wants to carry it and is looking for penetration; maybe he just wants to play. I have a couple of non-break-top .32 Longs for which I like to load decently warm, and they have never shown any ill effects from it. The Model T comparison strikes me as inapt . . . my improved I-frame is from the late '50s, and if you look at Sharpe's book (the source of some of my warmer loads - tho I don't quite get up where he does), you'll see that folks were warm-loading these solid-frame .32s back in the '30s. :)

Larry, Sharpe's book is available online; I've linked it here before on .32 S&W Long threads. I easily found the download just now with a Google search. Start researching there . . .
 
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I suppose you could say "because it is there". 720-740 fps for pre-heat treated guns and 820-840 fps for later guns is approx the factory loads from an approx 4" barrel. I've always liked the idea of a tad bit of hot rodding which is one of the reasons I reload. Many have traveled this path with the .32 S&W Long, I'm no pioneer here. There is a lot of info available and some have taken this little cartridge to astounding levels. I don't go for astounding, but I have a few of them, enjoy shooting them and once again, because it is there.

Stu
 
I have the K frame custom 32 made by Andy Horvath, see the post in the gunsmith section. I also just bought a 16-3 recently and would like to hot rod also. When I find an I frame at a good price, I'll load accordingly for it and enjoy the low pressures that were used in it way back when. This is a post to find and maybe discuss load data for the various 32's. Froggie started it and it would be cool to see the full spectrum of what we can do with the caliber. Larry
 
I prefer powders like W231 and Titegroup in the .327federal.
They meter well in the Dillon measure. And they don't break the bank.
I am just starting to play with AA#9 in the 5.5" Blackhawk, but it consumes so much more powder [less rounds per pound]. I generally save my #9 for my .357mag carbines and 8" barrel revolvers. Or longer barrels on my T/C Contender.
So far, I see no benefit in the Blackhawk using #9 [over 231 or titegroup]. I don't push very hard on the 632's even though they are Pro Series, and especially the Taurus M327's........but the SP-101, GP-100, and the Blackhawk eat the hot stuff all day. Hot not really max, but around......100gr XTP Hornady w/10gr+ AA#9 or 5gr W231............
and 115gr lead (Penn) 4.5gr Titegroup and 5.0gr W231
My new target loads for the .327fed are Berry's 83gr plated HBWC, seating at COL 1.333" [not flush] and 3.4gr W231
 
P.S. I don't know what the beautiful little 632's will handle, and when we have fired full blown .327fed's....they kicked butt. I just don't wish to screw them up, they are so nice, and our 'daily carrys', and have no doubt, for our protection, they live loaded with hot rounds, maybe too hot for PD, but can absolutely handle it if need be.......I'm talking about 100's of hot rounds per week for shooting paper. Make any sense?
 
Froggie.....or anyone.....
Has American Eagle ever released-fessed up to-
the exact load they use in the .327Federal Magnum 85gr soft point ?
Before the data was released and you could not buy brass for .327fm, there was three rounds you could buy.....two were 20count boxes, one was 50count-the load in question(50).......
I haven't asked them in a couple of years, and then, they [weren't sure].....wouldn't say, but the [patent] was still on.....these are some hot buggers. I kept some to test gel-water juggs- chrono-etc. but once I tried some on my own, and with the help of MD Smith, the testing fell by the wayside on the commercial stuff.
 
[just on my mind]......
Sittin' here loading some Berry's plated 83gr HBWC
I keep hearing the speed you can't push them, and I push some well beyond 1200fps in the .327fed, and granted I don't always go chasing skirts....[except in my mind:)] , but the ones I do retrieve have not lost their clothing. If you have 10's of 1000's of these sweet little morsels like I do, and worry about them shedding their skirts if you speed them up........just load them in reverse. I also carry self-defense rounds of this exact projectile seated with the 'big hole' forward. Expansion testing in gel and water has been awesome. I also have the Berry's DEWC.....and at the same loads don't expand or penetrate as well as the HBWC, although less PITA to load.
 
Ozo, I see you have a contender. MGM makes barrels for them and for 250.00 I can have a .32 long bbl made. It can be used for off hand single shot shooting. Good gun with an accurate bbl, should be fun. I have a 22 bbl to try first. Larry
 
Everyone stopped making .327s except Ruger still makes the GP-100, supposedly. Smith still has the 632 listed, but none of the distributors can get one. I was LUCKY and found a BRAND NEW Charter Target Patriot at my LGS. 4" 6 shot with adjustable sites, lifetime warranty, etc. And it has good polished parts on it (some tell tales of bad polishing/finish work from Charter). It was made back in 2010, they stopped making .327s in 2010. I got it last month. I LOVE IT. It barks like a mad dog when shooting 327s. I got some starline brass for 32mag and trimmed it down to load 32SWL, as my local range doesn't allow magnums of any stripe (which is funny, as I they allow 10mm). I have a Lee 100-311-R2 two cavity, and they dropped a bit small, so I "beagled" the mold and now they drop at .313, perfect. I have yet to try them at 32mag or 327 loadings yet. I tried Power Pistol, as that is all I had, at 5.2gr. It works. Not great, but it works. PP was the only powder I had out and opened at the time. I've since found some Tightgroup, and I'll be off to the range to try 1.9gr. We'll see how that works. I pan lube with 60% Patrolium Jelly, 39% Paraffin wax, and 1% gas treatment. Seems to work okay. What can I say, I'm cheap!
 
stu1ritter said:
Which manual shows 3.0 gr. of W231 in the 32 S&W Long? I'd like to take a look at that. Thanks,
Stu
Click to expand...

Late to the party but---- FYI

The RCBS Cast bullet manual#1(1986) :) shows that load with the RCBS 98 gr SWC , test gun was a Mod 31.

-----J
 
GameMaster, all of the gun manufacturers seem to be making and releasing various guns in batches. I'm hoping that both S&W and Ruger are just between batches, but the longer the hiatus lasts, the less likely this becomes. OTOH, the elevated prices that all of the 327 guns are bringing in sales and at auction might be sufficient stimulus to the industry to rethink their manufacturing plans and schedules. We can hope! :rolleyes:

Froggie
 
I guess I'm one of those latecomers. I love the 32's, both the longs and the mags. I load my longs with 2.2 grs. of Bullseye and a 100 gr. SWC in Starline brass. I don't want to abuse my I frames, so the same for my later model Colt and S&W.

32 mag? They should have named it the 32 Abuse ;) Same bullet over 8 grs. of 2400 and a non-magnum primer in my Ruger Single Sixes. I really need to chrono that to see if I'm coming up a bit light. The wind told me you could load the case to the base of the bullet using 2400 or 296. Now, I really don't want to look like the dude in Sin City with the 1911 slide thru his forehead, but being a re-loader since '77, I gots to know, if you get my drift...:)

Mumble mumble blah blah disclaimers apply ;)
 
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