Good starting point for a 16-4?

[1-1917]

Recently acquired a 16-4 but was a little surprised to see all the cylinder throats are .314. I have a bunch of 95 grain SWC cast bullets that are about .3135". They won't fall straight through the cylinder but don't take much of a nudge to get them through either. I have both 32 S&W long and 32 H&R brass. Only interest is paper punching out to 50yds. Have lots of the Dot powders, Unique, 231, bullseye, 2400 and 700x.

Is anyone shooting jacketed bullets with success in the these big throats? Curious where others have had success.

 

[mtgianni]

I have three 32 Magnums with throats from 0.3125" to 0.314". I use either the 311008 112 gr Lyman or the RCBS 98 swc. I like a 90-110 gr lead bullet powder coated and shot with Unique, AA2 or Red Dot. Herco and Green dot also do OK.
I think a small amount of resistance will be fine with those bullets as long as you're shooting them at the medium or slow velocities for your listed distance. If they lead try coating them with lee tumble lube.
For replacements I think you should be able to find 0.314" powder coated bullets.

 

[CactusCapt]

I have had good luck with the Speer .314 HBWC in my 16-4. You can find them for around $100/1K.
Buy Lead Handgun Bullet, .314, 98 Grain Ammo | Speer

 

[gwpercle]

I have had good luck with the Speer .314 HBWC in my 16-4. You can find them for around $100/1K.
Buy Lead Handgun Bullet, .314, 98 Grain Ammo | Speer

For punching paper @ 50 yards ...
32 S&W Long
Use the above bullet or a cast lead 98 gr. equal over :
2.0 grs Bullseye
2.0 grs Red Dot
2.0 grs. 231/HP38
All loads are in the 700 t0 750 fps range and excellent for 50 yard paper punching and tin can busting !

Load Safe,
Gary

 

[Green Frog]

For those little SWCcs in 32 H&R, I would check out the published loading data for 231 and use it, beginning with the recommended starting load and moving up to listed max or until I started seeing leading. That 16-4 should absorb any published loading data for with perfect aplomb.
Froggie

 

[H Richard]

I can give you one good load for 32 H&R.

 

[J56]

I’m using the NOE .315” 102gr SWC, at .314” through my Ruger Single-7, Taurus M76 (.32H&Rmag), two Lady Smith Hand Ejectors, and a M&P EZ in .30SuperCarry.
They are especially accurate in the Taurus and M&P EZ.
Both like LongShot powder.
I’ve used bullets as small as .311” with good accuracy, but Bullseye is better as it obturates the bullets better at lower charges.
If casting your own, a strip or two of Aluminum duct can open the mold up a thousandth or two…

 

[J56]

Another recommendation:
.312” 100gr Hornady XTP; 11.5gr of H110, Starline brass, Federal 100 primer. 1,300fps.
25yds resting on p/u bed.