As long as you can find data any of the powders you listed would work well in the .32 S&W Long. In the modest amount of .32 I've reloaded I have used Red Dot and Unique because that was what I had data for. Charge weights are small and a .1 grain increase gives a bigger change in velocity in the small volume .32 than one sees in the larger capacity cases. Most of the current data I see for the .32 S&W Long only list velocities in the 700 fps range. The data I had came from an old Speer #9 manual and the loads ran 900 + fps with 98 gr lead bullets. Your solid frame Colt is strong and capable of relatively high pressure loading and with a 6" barrel 1,000 fps + is easily done if you want a more potent load.
.32 S&W Long reloading
- Thread starter boom boom
- Start date
- Status
Blkhrt13
Member
Following
rfwobbly
Member
The problem with No2 is not consistent powder measure "drops". It's VERY good at that.
The problem with No2 is leaking out around the loose-fitting parts of the powder measure. Even Dillon had to introduce a tight-fitting slide.
I have had the same problem with AA#7 and AA#9 rolling out between the slide and powder horn of my Dillion 550B. The AA#9 I have is particularly granular and has jammed the powder slide. Both shoot well but are troublesome to use in my progressive press.
AZAndy
Member
Wow, what a great thread! Thanks to all the contributors. I've scoured around looking for decent load info for this round, and http://www.reloadammo.com/32swlong.htm was a good starting point for me. I've loaded the Hi-Tek 98 grain wadcutters as pictured above at 2 grains of HP-38 (or you can call it W231 if you like) and only got 640fps from a 4" barrel. I've bumped it up to 2.2 grains, but haven't chronographed that yet, which I need to do. I'd like to find something in the 750-780fps range. I'm going to try some Unique next, I think, because if my hands aren't black after shooting, I don't feel like I've accomplished anything.
THANKS. Gives me a comparison and I will probably buy some No. 2 Accurate next week as I have to go to the gunsmith anyway.
Thanks for your contributions AZ Andy. I'm looking forward to firing a revolver that doesn't hurt when I shoot it and the modern reloading manuals are a bit sparse on the .32 S&W Long (or short for that matter).
- Status
