Working up The Anemic .32 S&W Long Load

[Gerald D]

Well here a year after the last post I'm here looking into the possibility of loading for a trio of .32 SW Longs, a 30-1 nickel I found in a Pawn shop and gave my son.

A 31-1 4" I found recently in excellent condition and a I-Frame snubbie I'd picked up and posted about sometime back here. The 31-1 shoots factory WC's very well and all will group PPU 100gr RN into 4" and 15 yards which isn't great but I hope can be improved on. Thanks to those who posted this material.

 

[brucev]

Very much enjoyed reading these posts on the .32 S&W Long. Fascinating.

 

[Green Frog]

Just for the sake of completeness, there is a long running thread posted as a sticky and going to 12 pages over on the Cast Boolits board here;

The .32 S&W Long as a man-stopper

I guess we all have to decide whether the 32 S&W Long (and which variations thereof) fill our needs. For fun, the cat sneeze WC and SWC loads in my little I-frames are fun, and in my K-frame and Blackhawk are gentle to use, and of course for SD work, I can go hotter for the S&W L or "graduate" to the H&R or Fed Mag. Man, I love those 32s!

Froggie

 

[Raider]

I appreciate Hammedown's discussion of loading the .32 Long and don't consider it to be too long in light of all the information covered. I have a 31-1 in practically new condition that I've shot factory ammo but have never handloaded for.

Throwing tiny powder charges has kind of bothered me. I was glad to see that the RL550B charger can handle small amounts of powder but are there other ways to get charges in without weighing them on a scale? Are there any other chargers that can throw tiny amounts quickly? I want to load for the .32 Long and the .32ACP for my Walther.

Thanks for any ideas and help. Many thanks to Hammerdown for his article.

Charlie

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Hammerdown; I read & enjoyed every word of your post concerning the .32 Long. I bought my first one in the late '50's, a 6"" "I" frame used for 35 bucks. Started loading with a Lyman 313445 bullet & small charges of Bullseye. The loading manuals then weren't as complete as today.That little gun is long gone but had others along the way. Last one was a H&R 732 I gave my granddaughter. She's deadly with it. Now loading a 98 Gr. semi wadcutter with 2.4 gr. Bullseye. Not a barn burner but pretty darned accurate.Many Thanks for a great post.

 

[Simmer down]

I was searching for 32SWL reloading info and bingo!

I wish I could find some lead smaller than 100g around here. I hate to buy mail order because I feel I have to buy a pallet load to make it worth my time. Matts has a good deal 85 Grain Double Ended Wadcutter Tumble Lube (.315) [TL315-85-DEWC] - $9.00 : Matts Bullets
but they come .315. I haven't slugged any of these yet.

Question- assuming these .315 are soft, will the crimp pull them down a .001 or so?

 

[Hammerdown]

I was searching for 32SWL reloading info and bingo!

I wish I could find some lead smaller than 100g around here. I hate to buy mail order because I feel I have to buy a pallet load to make it worth my time. Matts has a good deal 85 Grain Double Ended Wadcutter Tumble Lube (.315) [TL315-85-DEWC] - $9.00 : Matts Bullets
but they come .315. I haven't slugged any of these yet.

Question- assuming these .315 are soft, will the crimp pull them down a .001 or so?

Hello Simmer Down
I Posted the Load's in this Thread and started the Thread. That said, I Load a lot for the anemic .32 &W Long Cartridge and feel as though the Bullets Matt Offer's at 0.0315" would work well in any S&W revolver. I hope this helps, Hammerdown

 

[Simmer down]

Thanks. I finally checked my gun. .312 throats and slugged at .312 using a .312 LRN

I'm probably losing a little oomph there along with cheating myself of the full benefit of rifling.

 

[Hammerdown]

Thanks. I finally checked my gun. .312 throats and slugged at .312 using a .312 LRN

I'm probably losing a little oomph there along with cheating myself of the full benefit of rifling.

Hello
Than a slug of 0.315" diameter should work well and provide one Hole ragged results... Hammerdown

 

[Simmer down]

New to me load. I found a recpie that called for 1.8-2.0g of Hi-skor 700x for 100g lrn. I took some to the range today and they were not too bad.

Not a powder puff load but not a harsh snap. There's probably better language to explain this, I know there's worse.

The gun is a 1958 M30 with a 3". The mottled look on the side plate is the reflection of the trees overhead. I think the t-grip is designed for an N frame but the J frame size didn't fit the shape well.

I could keep them all in about 4x4" at 15yrds. I could hit a sheet of paper at 25yrds.

This is shooting one-handed and with an energy drink instead of lunch so I know some variaiton was me.

Anyhoo- nice load here. I noticed some 32SWL showing up on the forum and wanted to share.

 

[thibaultfelix40]

I appreciate Hammedown's discussion of loading the .32 Long and don't consider it to be too long in light of all the information covered. I have a 31-1 in practically new condition that I've shot factory ammo but have never handloaded for.

Throwing tiny powder charges has kind of bothered me. I was glad to see that the RL550B charger can handle small amounts of powder but are there other ways to get charges in without weighing them on a scale? Are there any other chargers that can throw tiny amounts quickly? I want to load for the .32 Long and the .32ACP for my Walther.

Thanks for any ideas and help. Many thanks to Hammerdown for his article.

Charlie

Try Lee dippers and filed down 22 lr cases.

 

[brucev]

Very much enjoyed the posts regarding the loading of the .32 S&W Long. Brevity may be the soul of wit, but when it comes to discussions of this sort, detailed explanation is critical. Very much appreciate the time and effort taken to produce these posts.

Have read articles by some of the old time gun writers. In factory loadings, they found the round to be a useful small game/target round. With proper handloads, the .32 S&W Long was considered to be very effective for hunting small game and in appropriate pistols it was useable for SD. After all, a hotted up .32 S&W Long would certainly have more to offer than the .22 LR round in hunting small game. And in a modern J or K frame it would be useful for SD if loaded with proper SWC bullets. JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[Nicksterdemus]

Up from the grave it arose! Ha!
Love the six rnd 32 L. So much that since I do not reload I tried Buffalo Bore offering of 32 auto +P.
.32 ACP +P Ammo 0.312 - 75 gr. Hardcast F.N. (1150fps/ M.E. 220 ft. lbs.)
Yes, it is pricy though I added a 20 rnd box to some .22 short hp I ordered from Midway. I informally tested this against Sellier & Bellot Ammunition 32 S&W Long 100 Grain Lead Round Nose[actually is barely flat tipped though not nearly as wide as a flat tip, perhaps the width of a BB] Muzzle Velocity: 886 fps Muzzle Energy: 174 ft. lbs.

I used a fairly solid though aged 2x8 in front of a well seasoned slab of oak w/inch or two air gap. The LRN stopped roughly an inch into the oak slab. The 32 ACP penetrated about the same except the base of it finished in front of the tip[of the 100gn LRN], since flattened to resemble a wadcutter, of the 32L.

One argument is blow-by due to one or possibly two thousands difference in the 32 L Vs. 32 acp. Perhaps, but I'm not shooting boxes through the model 31 at $1.15 a rnd[not including shipping]. The S&B is 49 centavos a pop.

There's a noticeable pistola flip w/100gn. There's none w/75gn. So, perhaps there is blow-by, yet I only use the high priced hard cast for carry. Yet another reason, after burning through some Magtech 32 long LRN, for not cleaning the lead out of the 3" brl. YMMV.

However, I like the hotter 75 gn flat hard cast penetrating deeper w/help of an extra 46 flbs of MV. As well I experience no split cases or issues using the star extractor.

I have BP 32 that I would not shoot the most anemic modern powder load through on a bet. I absolutely do not encourage any hot loads in older top latch or BP designed firearms.

This hot .32 ACP in me modern I frame manufactured in the 1950s will penetrate being just shy of 1.5X diameter of a .22 LR and almost twice the weight of a traditional 40 gn LR boolit.

Now, if I had me druthers I'd be hard pressed to pick twixt the .32 ACP 75gn flat hardcast out of the 3" brl or the 27gn .22 SHP out of a rifle brl.

In fact they compliment each other w/73 flb .22 SHP designed for maximum expansion quickly on a soft target and the 32 ACP hardcast designed to retain weight and penetrate against thicker/denim/leather covered target.

OT, but I highly recommend the .22 shp for dispensing tree rats out from under feeders.

 

[DWalt]

"... since I do not reload I tried Buffalo Bore offering of 32 auto +P."

I have also fired .32 ACP in revolvers chambered for the .32 Long. But there are two cautions for those who do so. First, the .32 ACP case has a semi-rim, which is enough to keep it from falling into the chamber. However, it is possible for the extractor star to over-ride the smaller diameter semi rim and get cases stuck behind it. It takes some care to avoid this. Second, the semi-rim of the .32 ACP is somewhat thinner than the rim of the .32 Long case. Therefore, there will be excess headspace when the .32 ACP is used and there can be some misfires expected. I have experienced them. Neither condition presents a real problem if you are shooting only at inanimate targets, but using .32 ACP cannot recommended for any self-defense applications. I load .32 ACP cases with .312 lead bullets which work OK in .32 Long revolvers, and I don't see a great deal of difference in grouping performance between .32 ACP and .32 Long loadings.

 

[Nicksterdemus]

I would venture to guess that better built quality pistols, in above average shape/slight wear, would give one better odds in the extractor star going above and beyond call of duty.

Likewise one would be well served in maintaining clean cylinder bores. No sense in adding to the load.

There is indeed a slight differential in headspace as you duly noted the thinner .32 ACP case is a mite recessed in cylinder compared to the .32 long. Upon inspection of spent cases the .32ACP primer has a wider and deeper indention than the .32 long.

Misfires are also reported occasionally in use of budget/target ammunition. Every mechanical function has a rate of failure. To me the beauty in a wheelgun, other than no safety to interfere, is option of pulling the trigger again.

I'd wager a sawbuck against two bits that you have never had two misfires back to back. Much less as a result of firing pin shortcomings as result of too much headspace. Of course I could be wrong. And if the misfire was on the sixth rnd you would be no worse for wear than had you been totin' a five rounder.

I recommend nothing. I merely share me thoughts. Personally, I have no issue carrying Mighty Mouse or loading w/BB .32ACP +P. I'll neither extol its virtues from the pulpit or soapbox as worthy, better or equal to anything else.

It's a great big beautiful world and I've nary a problem agreeing to disagree w/gents.

W/ladies I also presume me fault and automatically being wrong by default.

 

[Cal44]

There is a Buffalo Bore 100 gr wadcutter round available in 32 S&W Long.

It's probably even a better round for SD than the 32acp+p -- plus it was made for these revolvers.

 

[Nicksterdemus]

Perhaps. I looked at it, being partial to a wadcutter, yet felt the increased penetration of the .32 ACP +P flat hardcast tipped the scales. As always, to each their own. I'm sure the BB .32L 100gn WC is a fine cartridge.

In the .32L rnd I looked for the most penetration. And for me the flat hardcast 75gn .32ACP +P excels in that category. Where the 9mm parabellum is known for over-penetration the 32 L is known more for coming up short in penetration. Hence the moniker of mouse gun.

For quite some time the .380 ACP was bandied about as the bare minimum for personal protection. I prefer a wheelgun to a bottom feeder.

I'll not lay claim to the 32L being the least amount of gun. The 351C w/seven rnds can apply a nasty wound. Even then I have mine stoked w/WRF as I see little difference twixt it and the .22 Mag out of a snubnose.

So many choices in small handguns and ammunition, if that's your fancy, that if one doesn't work for anyone they've several other options available from whence to choose.

I carry what I am comfortable with and confident in. As Captain obvious I suggest everyone do the same.

 

[BUFF]

Speer used to make a lovely .32 caliber 98 grain hollowbase wadcutter. I shot probably 1,000 of them over 1.8 grains of Bullseye. They shot beautifully. I had a 4 inch Model 31-1 and a fellow at my range, who could really shoot, could group 6 into a little over an inch at 25 yards, offhand.

I have a Lyman mold somewhere that throws a gas checked SWC of about 115 grains of ex-wheelweights. I didn't put a gascheck on for .32 Long but did for .32-20. 3.5 grains of Unique gave it a bit of bark but I never chronographed it. Lyman manual #45, using a 3 inch Model 31, clocked it at 823 fps. Since I was mainly punching holes in paper, I usually loaded it over the 1.8 grains of Bullseye. With free scrounged wheelweights, it was pretty cheap to shoot. It was gentle on brass, too. I had a batch of 500 Remington cases that I loaded and shot over 10 times without losing a case to mouth or body splits, which was exceptional for Remington brass then.

I always wanted a K-32. I had a Model 16-4 with the underlug barrel but never warmed up to it and sold it.

 

[DWalt]

"I'd wager a sawbuck against two bits that you have never had two misfires back to back. Much less as a result of firing pin shortcomings as result of too much headspace. Of course I could be wrong. And if the misfire was on the sixth rnd you would be no worse for wear than had you been totin' a five rounder."

You could lose. I have experienced at times two misfires of a cylinderful with .32 ACP in my .32 Long revolver. Misfires will usually fire on a second try. But most of the time, no misfires.

 

[Nicksterdemus]

I'd lose wager double or nothing and Murphy's Law would rear his ugly head.

The second time around the BB hardcast round at a couple of feet penetrated 1.5" in the seasoned oak slab. I chunked the 2x8 and layed the slab on the ground. Ahead of the S&B 32 S&W Long 100 Gn LRN by almost the full length of the 32 ACP boolit. [in the first comparison after blowing through the solid, yet age compromised 2x8 the entire 32ACP projectile penetrated ahead of the S&B 32L]

The S&B 100gn split the wood to the left and up to the end which was around 3". Also, directly above and below the projectile hole were mini splits where the grain gave way. The nose ended up on a 30* angle and the body ovals along the grain that gave way. As the boolit split the grain the soft lead pushing against the wood sought relief vertically within the newly offered real estate.

When I shot the BB 32ACP 75gn I moved down and over a couple of inches. It maintains its shape creates no splits.

The S&B soft lead strikes the wood 90* to grain and starts to expand. This expansion makes for a larger hole and assists in splitting the wood by focusing the energy/momentum on a larger area instead of pushing through as the .32 hardcast which maintained original diameter.

I want the penetration, I want to blow through zippers/leather/denim/bone/Gideon's Bible/medallion/quarter dollar/Susan B. Anthony/ Sacagawea whatever preferably out the other side.

Now, if I could just talk S&W into manufacturing one w/5.5" barrel & tight B/C gap in a seven rnd cylinder.

 

[ddixie884]

Nice data, thanx to all.

 

[Nemo288]

As it so happens, the new (August) Handloader magazine that arrived today has a major article about 32's.
The 32 Long and the Magnum.
Check it out.
It's so new there is nothing about it at Rifle's website yet.