.32 S&W Long and .32 H&R Magnum Ammo

[PMRet]

I have an assortment of S&W .32 Magnum revolvers, and when I take them to the range I usually shoot Fiocchi 100 gr. wadcutters, Fiocchi 97 gr. FMJ, and Magtech 98 gr. SJHP in .32 S&W Long. The few .32 H&R Magnum rounds I shoot each trip are usually Federal Champion 95 gr. LSWC.

I know there are a lot of other .32 caliber fans here, what are your ammo choices? Do you shoot more .32 Longs or .32 Mags? Do most folks reload this caliber, or do some shoot factory ammo like me?

 

[guesser]

I have 7 revolvers that will shoot 32 Long and only 1 that will take 32 Mag. I cast bullets and hand load for all. I shoot a lot more Long than I do mag. I don't think I have ever fired a factory round of either, I know I've never purchased any of either.

 

[PattonTime]

I shoot a lot of both . I have several guns in each, but have started to really like the "magnums" better, mostly because of the guns I believe.
I own a Smith 16-4 6" that I really like to shoot, also a 7.5 inch Freedom Arms Model 97.
They both shoot very well and have great sights and I think that is the big deal for me . I have a Smith Model 31 four inch and a Colt Police Positive Special but the fixed sights don't make it fun for me.
I am getting too blind as I get older.
I also have a Taurus "imitation" Model 16 in 32 Long ,that shoots quite well , but it is not a Smith.
I do not believe I have ever shot much if any factory fodder in any of them, unless someone gave it to me. I am far too cheap!!!

 

[gunsmithd]

Is it safe to shoot .32 S&W out of a .32 S&W Long?

 

[ARMinSC]

Is it safe to shoot .32 S&W out of a .32 S&W Long?

Yes it's like .38spl in a .357mag

 

[Hobie]

I load all my stuff. For the price, I don't see how anyone shoots any quantity if they don't.

 

[CAR-AR-M16]

I shoot the Fiocchi 97 gr. FMJ the most and Black Hills 85 gr. JHP .32 H&R Magnum on occasion.

 

[mtgianni]

I have run one box of purchased Lead SWC from my Ruger 32 H&R Single six. After I got brass I have fires and equal number of 32 Long and Mag, all have been home cast.

 

[CTSixshot]

I can't really answer your question directly since I don't even own a 32 caliber revolver... but, I do cast and reload 32 S&W Long/32 H&R Magnum...soon maybe 32-20 Win. The old 32-20 mold (Lyman#311008) drops a beautiful bullet that can be used in the 32L as well as the 32-20 and many 30 calibers (as a light plinker load). Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook (3rd Edition) lists 32L loads with velocities ranging from 528-1102fps.
http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bullet-casting/mould-details-rifles.php?entryID=54
I know the 32L is somewhat obscure (read that, pricier and less available), similarly with the 38 S&W, so reloading makes ammo much more affordable and attainable. The availability of bullets for 32 caliber is pretty decent, as well.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

32's

As with others, I have several 32's. A little flat latch Mdl 31 and the rest in the 32Mag flavor. One being a 16-4, 6" which I believe I will start using for 32 S&W L WC's. After exhausting a long held supply of factory ammo in this flavor, I finally set up my dies and loaded up some 18 boxes. Guess that will hold me for awhile.

 

[one65r]

Just to clarify!

Ok, I've got a 631 in 32 mag. Ammo is sky high. Just confirming, I can shoot 32 s&w longs in it. They cost less than half of the 32 msg ammo I've seem. I'm assuming it's like shooting 38 spec in a .357 (as someone mentioned above). Thanks, Sam

 

[brenster]

Can you do it the other way around and fire 32 H&R mags from a 32 SW Long?

 

[PMRet]

Can you do it the other way around and fire 32 H&R mags from a 32 SW Long?

The short answer is NO. A .32 Magnum revolver will chamber and fire both .32 Magnum and .32 Long ammo the same way a .357 Magnum revolver will chamber and fire both .357 Magnum and .38 Special ammo. A .32 Long revolver will NOT chamber and fire .32 Magnum ammo just as a .38 Special revolver will NOT chamber and fire .357 Magnum ammo.

 

[rburg]

A .32 Long revolver will NOT chamber and fire .32 Magnum ammo

I don't like the answer. Be careful of what you suggest or tell others. What you've said is generally true of S&W and probably Colt revolvers. The problem is many aren't real good at identifying the gun they have. The off brand makers, both domestic and foreign tried their best to make their junk look like and American premium made gun. Over the years I've seen a bunch of guns with "32 Smith & Wesson" (or western). Often as not, those guns have a bored through cylinder that will take anything. And then we have the issue of gunsmiths. You know the guy, he drinks beer on the porch, fixes his car under the tree out back, and will work on any gun brought to him.

I recently purchased a fine specimen of a 38/44 Heavy Duty. The cylinder is bored. The only reason I can think of for doing that is so it will shoot 357s. Not being particularly smart, I'd guess its probably safe given the size of the metal cylinder and the wimpy 357 loadings they're making today. But I won't bother doing that.

I'd like to buy a sample or two of the 32 magnums. Just to see how they chamber in some of the guns I have. The most interesting would be stuffing them in a 32-20. Who knows? You've got lots of room for expansion....

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

Dick,

I knew a guy who had some for sale somewhere near you at the Lexington gun show. I'm sure he'd have been glad to sell it to you

 

[rburg]

Dick,

I'm sure he'd have been glad to sell it to you

First I need to check with Joe. I sold him a gun in that caliber a while back. Don't know if he sold the ammo with it or not. He usually just holds on to all the ammo he gets, then after a few years he dumps it. If he still has the ammo, I can just get him to see if it chambers in one of his 32-20s. Laziness has its benefits.

 

[weatherby]

I only have one 32 it is a regulation police.
I have plenty of HBWC and semi wad cutters to load up.
I bought one box of new factory stuff mainly for the brass.
maybe I should just shoot up the old stuff then I'd have the brass I need