Conversion of 32 to 32H&R

[681ismyfavorite]

I realize it's just reaming out the cylinder, a little bit more to accept the longer cartridge. I have a model 30 -1. It is not a museum piece nor a collector's item. So I was considering having this done to the cylinder, just to give it more versatility. What would be the average cost of such a conversion to ream out the chambers?

 

[Outpost75]

I would save the money and enjoy the revolver the way it is. In the Models 30 and 31 you can safely load 3 grains of Bullseye with the .312" diameter Hornady 85-grain XTP and closely approximate the velocity of factory .32 H&R Mag ammo fired from the same length barrel.

Pressure tested by Larry Gibson of Lake Havasu, AZ using solid test barrel with strain gage and Oehler M43PBL R-P case with CCI500 primer, 3 grains Alliant Bullseye at 1.175" overall cartridge length gave 16,800 psi and chronographs 890 fps from my 3-inch Model 30-1 having B-C gap of pass 0.004 / hold 0.005".

It is safe to substitute the WSP primer.
It is safe to substitute RCBS 32-098 SWC.

 

[Retired W4]

On the other hand, if you want to do the conversion once you have a reamer in hand it is a relatively simple procedure. One of our experts in the Smithing section can give you step by step instructions. When complete you can shoot 32 S&W, 32 S&WL and 32 H&R Mag factory ammo, making your revolver very versatile.

 

[AJ]

Borrow a chamber reamer from someone here and do it yourself. Did mine in about 30 minutes, going slow and using lots of oil. Cost was the postage to and from the reamer's owner.

 

[mtgianni]

The best reason to ream it is if you have an I frame which might share the same ammunition you load as Outpost75 described above.

 

[tlawler]

Borrow a chamber reamer from someone here and do it yourself. Did mine in about 30 minutes, going slow and using lots of oil. Cost was the postage to and from the reamer's owner.

We should start a reamer exchange thread in the smithing section. I have a 10mm finish reamer that I'd be willing to loan out, much as Charlie does with his .22 LR reamer. I know there's a couple calibers I'd like to borrow reamers for, .32 Fed Mag being one of them. Is the reamer for .32 H&R the same as .327 FM? Do you just go deeper?

 

[steelslaver]

The best reason to ream it is if you have an I frame which might share the same ammunition you load as Outpost75 described above.

The I frame cylinders are too short for the 32 H&R. The J frames lengthened the cylinder.

 

[MN Rifleman]

The OP has a 30-1 which I believe has a slightly longer cylinder than the 30 no dash. I've read this is a pretty common/easy conversion on 30-1's.

 

[AJ]

The I frame cylinders are too short for the 32 H&R. The J frames lengthened the cylinder.

The OP has a 30-1 which I believe has a slightly longer cylinder than the 30 no dash. I've read this is a pretty common/easy conversion on 30-1's.

I have a Model 30-1 and it converted to .32 H&R with no problem. I have read that the 30-1 cylinder is a bit longer than the Model 30's.

 

[Riposte1]

While I've got nothing against the .32 H&R (as opposed to a .327 Magnum which is loud and brash) I have a couple of .32 S&W Longs and they do all that I require out of a .32 - a friend developed a load that pushed a 100 gr SWC at 1100 fps from the 2" M-30 - I don't even need that!

To be sure, if I buy a Ruger single Six in .32 it will be an H&R but I think they don't even make .32 S&W chambered guns.

Riposte

 

[Redhawk Hunter]

You can rent reamers from these guys. I've had good luck with them. I've never seen the need to rent headspace gauges with revolver cartridges, just stop cutting when the rim cutter reaches the cylinder face.

You searched for 32 - 4D Reamer Rentals

4drentals.com

 

[Green Frog]

The I frame cylinders are too short for the 32 H&R. The J frames lengthened the cylinder.

I believe that is why MTGianni said that. While the I frame will probably take the hot loads for a while (don't ask me how I know this!) it's not a good idea to subject them to that abuse. If you save your hotter loads for 32 H&R cases, you won't accidentally slip one into your beloved pre War Target RP. Only the reamed cylinders and longer brass will fit together.