powder load for .32 S&W (short)

[gmarshall99]

I can't find a powder load for the old .32 S&W cartridge on any of the powder web sites. I can find load data for .32 S&W long cartridge. Is there a way to calculate a proper load? Or would the S&W long load data be safe to use?

I know there are old revolvers that should only be loaded with black powder, but I don't thing the ones I have are old enough to need the holy black.

Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Lyman cast bullet handbook 3rd edition has loading data for nine powders or so using 77 & 84 grain bullets. If you can find the 77 grain bullets, 2.5 gr. of WW231 is their accuracy load @ 800 fps.

I had an old Winchester pamphlet that only listed WW231. I used 2.0 with a 90 gr cast RN in both 32 S&W and 32 ACP cases for derringers I use n SASS events. This load shoots well in derringers and semi autos chambered in ACP. It shoots well in top break revolvers chambered for S&W short and long. Estimated velocity: 750 fps with 3 inch barrel.

Ivan

 

[Continental Op]

Thank you for asking about this. I've also been looking for loading data on the .32 S&W and the .38 S&W, too. I recently picked up several Iver Johnson top breaks in these calibers and have found that the current loading manuals are practically silent on these old cartridges. In my case, the search is made even harder by the need for black powder loadings, as some of my new Ivers aren't proofed for smokeless. Luckily Starline still makes brass for both and I discovered Matt's Bullets carries appropriate bullets for both.

Here is what I've found on various places around the web, including archived pages from this forum. I can in no way vouch for the safety of these loads, so please use due caution.

Smokeless powder:
90 Grain LEAD RN
HP-38 1.3 gr. 438 fps
Unique 1.7 gr. 441 fps -- Reloading .32 Smith & Wesson


Black powder:
32 S&W 85gr LRN 4.5grFFFg 550fps -- Black Powder Load Data for DA 4th model 32 S&W

I do not think it would be a good idea to use loading data for .32 S&W Long.

Good luck and please post anything else you find. Thanks

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Hodgdon "Data Manual 24" (Copyright 1983) Is the last hardbound manual they published, and has a black powder cartridge section in the back for US and English cartridges. (Looks like Continental Op's BP load came from their originally). The free pamphlets and Yearly magazine don't mention Pyrodex, Triple 7, or Black Powder at all!

I bought my copy when it first came out, and still use it 7 or 8 times a year! It is still worth owning, so buy one if you find it at a gun show! Also Lyman #45 is a good old manual to own, and several from Lyman #44 and before are on-line now.

Ivan

 

[glowe]

In my 6" 32 DA, I load 76g LRN, 1.2 grains of Trail Boss and get 654 fps. I like TB because is it is a very high volume powder and one cannot double charge a case without overflow. I probably don't have to tell you, but you need a very accurate scale to consistently weight out 1.2 grains of anything. Don't use just a scoop or powder dispenser without weighing the charge.

BTW, I have chronographed factory loads of 32 S&W and they are very slow. 85g Winchester runs 540fps and 88g Remington was 580fps.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I probably don't have to tell you, but you need a very accurate scale to consistently weight out 1.2 grains of anything. Don't use just a scoop or powder dispenser without weighing the charge.

This is so important! However the Lyman 55 powder measure has a "Hammer" on the front (kind of like a door knocker) to vibrate the last few flakes of powder out. The most accurate usage during adjustment and production would be; 1) Lift handle, flip hammer. 2) lower handle, flip hammer.

On powder drops without a "Hammer", I use a 8" long plastic handled screwdriver and give a good "Whack" in the handle up and down positions. This is so much faster than weighing each charge, and well within the standard +/- of most scales.

32ACP & 32S&W are the smallest cartridges I load, but this process has produced thousands of accurate and affordable rounds.

This Spring, just before Ohio's Covid shut down, a LGS was clearing out the reloading dies that had been sitting there for years. I got a NIB set of Lyman 32 ACP dies and a NIB Lyman 84 gr RN bullet mold for $20 OTD! I cast up several hundred bullets in Wheel Weights and loaded and loaded for the Tomcat. And also cast up about 1000 in soft lead and filled all my 32S&W brass (400+/-) and 32ACP for derringer (250 +/-). My 32 S&W Long and 32 Colt New Police (same case/different loading) were all still full!

Ivan

 

[tops]

I have an old Lyman book: .32S&W, 85 gr. bullet, 2.0 grs. Unique, 830fps...1.4 grs. Bullseye, 725fps

.38S&W, 150 gr. bullet, Unique 3.0-4.7 grs., 585-890fps.
Bullseye 2.0-3.0 grs., 700-805fps. The powder charges are listed as sug. and max.

 

[nbedford]

My go to manual for early pistol cartridges is Hatcher's Textbook of Pistols and Revolvers, pub. 1935. It states the factory load with 85-88 grain .314 bullet (round nose I assume) is 1.4 grains of Bullseye. Velocity = 725 fps.

 

[glowe]

My only added suggestion is to consider the lightest bullet available for the 32 DA. I have loaded 78g RNFP lead for decades and it performs very well. Lets face it, the 32 DA is a relatively fragile revolver and the lightest bullets can offer lower pressure, less wear, less shock to the mechanism, while offering the same accuracy and fun at the range. Give them a try sometime. Buffalo Arms offers a .313" diameter 78 grain hard cast bullet, bag of 100, and it is actually in stock at a very good price!!!

 

[gmarshall99]

Many thanks all who replied. I will be reading and studying this information for some time.
Gary