Powder for 32 Long cartridge

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CoalTrain49

CoalTrain49

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I just purchased a S&W model 31-1. I tried a few of the powders I had on hand but no joy. 2400 is out because it doesn't burn well. SR 7625 seems like it might work with at least 3 grains of powder but I don't have much of it left and they don't make it anymore. I have some Bullseye so may try that next. Probably should have tried that first. What was I thinking?

Anyone load for this useless anemic little cartridge? What powder do you use? I don't want to try Unique because the case capacity is minimal and flake powder doesn't meter all that well.
 
My favorite is 3.7grs. of Herco with a 100 gr. SWC.
Chronos at 970 -80 (don't have access to notes) in a 4" PPS
It burns decent with a firm roll crimp.
The powder runs through the Dillon measure OK for me.

JT
 
I use 1.8-2.2gr of Bullseye for my .32S&WL.
Either a Lee 93gr RN or 90gr SWC @.314”.
TiteGroup is excellent, too.
Or, most any fast burning powder. I’ve used RedDot, GreenDot, HP38/231, Universal, Unique, and I’m sure others, but I gravitate back to Bullseye.
 
Trail Boss. 2.5 grains set at an OAL of 1.175 with a Hornady 85 grain XTP on top. Loaded like that, the useless anemic cartridge goes 615.7 fps with a power factor nearly double that of CCI Quiet 22lr.

It's kind of a fun plinking round actually.
 
With the low pressure level of the .32 Long 2400 is too slow.

I would not go any slower than W-231 on the Hodgdon burn rate chart.

WST AA #2, N310 all work very well for me with 83 Gr plated or 98 Gr coated WCs at reasonable velocities.
 
Walkalong said:
With the low pressure level of the .32 Long 2400 is too slow.

I would not go any slower than W-231 on the Hodgdon burn rate chart.

WST AA #2, N310 all work very well for me with 83 Gr plated or 98 Gr coated WCs at reasonable velocities.
Click to expand...

I'm not messing around with 2400 anymore even tho Alliant has load data for 32L under cowboy loads. Just doesn't make any sense.

I'll try some Bullseye next. If that doesn't work I'll try some AA#2. I'm loading 100 gr Acme coated bullets next.

I really like this little pea shooter. It seems to be very accurate. I can shoot it much better than my model 36 anyway.

Thanks for the suggestions.:thumbup:
 
My target load was 1.6 gn Bullseye with a 98gn swaged WC. in a Pardini match pistol.
 
AZAndy said:
Missouri Bullets has them. They're .313 diameter and are available coated or plain lead. They're listed under "Cowboy Series" as being for .32 H&R.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I used to use the soft swaged Hornady ones in my I-frame S&W that's getting close to 90 years old
 
Last edited:
AZAndy said:
Missouri Bullets has them. They're .313 diameter and are available coated or plain lead. They're listed under "Cowboy Series" as being for .32 H&R.
Click to expand...
It's where I got mine, but others have them. They shoot well. I have an auto in .32 Long that needs WCs seated flush/nearly flush to run, but I use the WCs in my Regulation Police as well.
 
When I helped my sister load some. (my equipment she loaded) we used AA#2 because it meters well for the size charge required.
I seem to recall the charge was 2.2grs 2.2 of #2 222, but don't trust my memory on it. MBC 78gr lead "Cowboy" bullet
Western does not list any data but I emailed them and got and answer.
Will see if I can find what I did with the email.
 
For those suggesting AA#2, I did switch to it in 32ACP and I like it. Meters well in small loads. I haven't tried it in 32S&W Long
 
:(Can't seem to find the email ( it may turn up sometime when I am not looking for it)
But if you email Western they will get back to you fairly quickly.

I haven't used all the powders out there but from what I have used AA#2 metering is about as good as it gets, which is nice for those small charges.

Or if you feel you deserve to be punished for something you could just use Unique and tweezers and count out flakes:evil::D
 
If that doesn't work I'll try some AA#2. I'm loading 100 gr Acme coated bullets next.
Click to expand...
I have some of those bullets that I shoot out of my .327fm but have tried them in my 32 S&W long yet. (1947 hand ejector) I have to find cases for it first without having to buy 500 at a time.
I think I saw Graff's has them in 100 packs.
Anyways, I'm watching this post for the recipes.
 
I have used a fair amount of Red Dot/Promo in the past. Most recently I prefer to use Trail Boss for the case fill aspect and that it works well. I just made a custom scoop out of an old case and some copper wire. With a little practice you can become accurate scooping charges.
 
I used 231 until it became impossible to find. Now I use bullseye. The key to getting it working well in my guns was to use a heavy bullet and seat it deep. I really like wadcutters and the ones I found last were magtech brand and we’re somewhere around 112gr. I seat them to the deeper lube groove and roll crimp into the groove.
 
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