Who Has Actually Rechambered A .32

[AJ]

On a similar, but somewhat sad, note, yes, 231 is a great choice, but I had my best all around results in .32 Magnum with Universal. I have to admit I was surprised since I normally do not favor Universal for handguns, but in this case it was excellent. The sad part comes in with the problem of trying to find Universal. I doubt we will ever see it again. Until something better comes along for 20 and 28 gauge target loads, that's a shame.

First I tried Bullseye, while it worked well it does not generate a lot of MV/ME. The Lil Gun does generate much more MV/ME (or at least it feels that way), however there was some unburnt powder. Will try the HP-38 and see what happens. Other powders that I have on hand will be tried including 231. Might even get out the Chronograph, but for a two inch it seems like overkill.

 

[Green Frog]

AJ, my "stirred up" comment was meant in jest and as a compliment. What makes this forum so interesting is that every so often somebody stops in and gives things a good swipe so conversation starts up.

"Ya dun good my boy, ya dun reel good!"

Froggie

 

[AJ]

AJ, my "stirred up" comment was meant in jest and as a compliment. What makes this forum so interesting is that every so often somebody stops in and gives things a good swipe so conversation starts up.

"Ya dun good my boy, ya dun reel good!"

Froggie

Froggie

I took it in jest. I am glad we have had a good run with this one. Steelslaver got me started on the rechambering and Muley Gil helped me finish it off. I am grateful to both. Steelslaver has a lot on his plate right now. Please keep him and his Sister in our prayers.

I think that I "dun good" both with the thread and with the rechamber.

AJ

 

[Green Frog]

Sorry to hear about the Steelslaver's sister. She'll be in my prayers.

Steelslaver has been one of my favorite enablers and pot stirrers for a long time I wish him and his sister well.

On another thought, odd shooter made a good find! I would suggest you look for a Model 19 as a donor gun so the e-rod shroud will match up properly. The Model 14 has a different taper. Also it will make the cylinder with recessed chambers easier to fit. Any real S&W gunsmith will then be able to make the swap practically in his sleep! Frank Glenn, for instance, is down your way IIRC, and he has a very good reputation.

Froggie

 

[SG-688]

For comparison with the converted S&W cylinders ...

How 'strong' were the original H&R revolvers in .32 H&R?

Great thread.

 

[AJ]

For comparison with the converted S&W cylinders ...

How 'strong' were the original H&R revolvers in .32 H&R?

Great thread.

Steelslaver should have an few thoughts on that. He is our resident metallurgist.

I might end up buying some factory loads and trying them in my revolver and comparing them to my handloads.

 

[Sistema1927]

I have thought about reaming my 30-1 and/or 31-1, but I have already worked up some "warm" .32 Long loads from the past. Additionally, with a Charter Undercoverette in .32 H&R, and a Ruger SP101 3" in .327, I think that I have most of the .32 bases covered.

 

[Green Frog]

AJ, I read through this thread again and noticed you're loading .311" lead bullets. Nothing wrong with that, but I bet if you can load some .313" or even .314" bullets (as long as they'll chamber easily) you'll get better accuracy. I currently size everything to .313" unless I have a special reason not to.
Froggie

 

[AJ]

AJ, I read through this thread again and noticed you're loading .311" lead bullets. Nothing wrong with that, but I bet if you can load some .313" or even .314" bullets (as long as they'll chamber easily) you'll get better accuracy. I currently size everything to .313" unless I have a special reason not to.
Froggie

My sizing die is .311. Next time I cast some boolits and powder coat them I will check them with a micrometer before sizing.

 

[Green Frog]

Yeah AJ, I always thought of .311" as "standard" for 32 revolvers, and there's certainly nothing wrong with it, but I've found that both my Smiths and my Rugers seem to like bore filling bullets a little better. I could probably run all my 32 bullets at .311" forever and never know the difference, but then again if I know they're filling up the bore, that's one less thing to have to think about. YMMV

Froggie

 

[AJ]

I'll repeat my comment about HP38 powder. I have no experience with Li'l Gun, but I know HP38 works well, so I gravitate toward it.

Froggie

I will get around to HP-38 sooner or later. I have a pound that I picked up somewhere.

AJ

Froggie,

I just loaded a test run of HP-38 3.2 Grains with a 100 Grain cast SWC. Will see how they do on Friday.

AJ

 

[wrangler5]

I've reamed the cylinders for a 30 and a 31 to 32 H&R Mag and have had not difficulties with either. The fellow who did them has retired, and if I ever decide to ream my Detective Special I will be sorely tempted to rent the reamer and do the job myself.

I carried a 632 in 32 H&R for many years, with Buffalo Bore 100g JHP loads that exceeded a commercial 158g 38 Special +P load in muzzle energy. (Physics being what it is, the 32s kick like the 38s when shooting equivalent energy loads, but you do get an extra round in a 32.) Those Buffalo Bore loads are marked on their boxes NOT FOR USE in H&R guns, but BB advised that they were safe for "unlimited use" in the reamed 30 and 31 cylinders, as well as in the 632 of course.

I had a Ruger LCR in 327 Federal for a while. The 85g defensive loads I tried weren't any hotter than the Buffalo Bore loads in the 632, and I thought the longer 327 cases might make for less reliable extraction under stress given the short ejector rod. The 100g commercial loads from Federal and Speer were another story, up in low 357 Magnum energy territory, with (very uncomfortable to me) equivalent recoil and the loudest report I've ever experienced in a handgun. Even with foam plugs and earmuffs. I would never want to light one off without serious hearing protection.

I decided I would not carry the 100g 327 Federal loads, and since the 85g loads gave no benefit over the Buffalo Bore loads in the 632 I let the LCR go. Only downside is that I can NOT come close to duplicating that ($2/round) BB load, for practice purposes, within the limits of any published 32 H&R powder charge.

 

[dickydalton]

I took the chamber reamer to my 31-1 yesterday and shot it today. All is well. I need to load some more 32 H&Rs up to do some real shooting with it as I have enough 32 Longs but not H&Rs loaded.

 

[Green Frog]

Someone reminded me of this thread by posting a "Like" and I scanned back through it to refresh my memory. One previous point concerns the design of the 32 H&R (so called "Magnum") was that the H&R revolvers were not noted for their great strength. For this reason, the factory loadings from Federal were pretty mild and conservative. When Skeeter got hold of a sample of the brass and loaded up some real 32 Magnum loads for his Ruger Single Six, the engineers and lawyers immediately got their panties in a wad! Keep in mind though, that this was essentially the same platform we have for the 327 Fed Mag. Anyway, any recommended load for the H&R should easily digested by Smith J- and K frame revolvers in that chambering. I personally prefer to use K frame Smiths and Ruger Blackhawks, but I want to be able to make thunder and lightning when the call arises!
Froggie

 

[steelslaver]

I now use Green Dot in calibers that I used to use Unique in. Partiall95gr y because I was able to get a deal on a couple 8# jugs. At 3.5 gr per 32 H&R load it should last me a while.

You can find lots or 5/16" reamers which are .3125 so you can make a sizing die that size easily