Hondo 60
Member
Lotsa reloading available info for 32 S&W Long.
Not too many bullet shapes & weights, but lotsa powders
New/ Old Colt- Good news/Bad News
- Thread starter NIGHTLORD40K
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Lotsa reloading available info for 32 S&W Long.
Not too many bullet shapes & weights, but lotsa powders
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NIGHTLORD40K
Member
I was horrified at first glance, but now its kinda growing on me.
saaman
Member
My Colt Detective Special .32 isn't as nice as yours but is a lot of fun to shoot!
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NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Looks like it put in an honest days work!
Please don't shoot .32 ACP ammunition in your Colt .32 New Police. The .32 ACP is loaded to higher pressure, the semi-rim is thinner and it's diameter is smaller than the firing pin bushing in the frame. Firing .32 ACP ammo in it results in the case "pistoning" forcefully against the frame, peening the bushing and setting it back, eventually causing misfires. We commonly charged $150 to fix'em. Also firing shorter .32 ACP ammo in the longer .32 NP chamber results in velocity loss and poor accuracy.
Best solution is to buy .32 S&W Long brass from Starline, buy the RCBS 32-98SWC or Lyman #311008, cast soft, 50-50 wheelweights and plumber's lead with 1% tin added to improve fill-out, and lube bullets with Lee Liquid Alox, loading them as-cast and UNSIZED, at .314-.315" diameter. Full charge loads safe for your 1960s Colt are 2.5 grains of Bullseye, or TiteGroup, 3 grains of WST or 231, or 3.5 grains of Unique, which should not be exceeded.
Best solution is to buy .32 S&W Long brass from Starline, buy the RCBS 32-98SWC or Lyman #311008, cast soft, 50-50 wheelweights and plumber's lead with 1% tin added to improve fill-out, and lube bullets with Lee Liquid Alox, loading them as-cast and UNSIZED, at .314-.315" diameter. Full charge loads safe for your 1960s Colt are 2.5 grains of Bullseye, or TiteGroup, 3 grains of WST or 231, or 3.5 grains of Unique, which should not be exceeded.
OP
OP
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Hadnt considered that, and thanks for the load data!
IF you are loading .32 S&W Long brass for use in a revolver originally chambered for the .32 H&R Magnum cartridge, 3 grains of Bullseye, 4 grains of 231 or WST or 8.5 grains of IMR4227 will approximate .32 H&R Magnum factory velocity with the Hornady 85-grain XTP or RCBS 32-98 SWC at pressures approximating 20,000-22,500 psi.
GeoDudeFlorida
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Now, don’t quote me on this because I could be wrong but, I am fairly certain Colt was not making Detective Special revolvers in .32H&R Magnum in 1969. They are certainly strong actions but I think it’s bad advice to suggest reloading .32S&W Longs to magnum pressure for use in a DS. Not that it would blow up the gun but it would be more wear with a probably not good result. JMO/YMMV
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