Finally!! A 32 revolver

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BullRunBear

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For some reason I've always wanted a 32 caliber revolver for targets and plinking. I was at a gun show today and on a table was a NIB Ruger Single-Six in 32 magnum, blued, adjustable sights, and 6.5" barrel. It was made in 1986. I had never seen this configuration before. Usually I see short barrel versions with fixed sights, not what I wanted.

In an ideal world, I would have found a S&W K-32 (to go with my K-38 and 22). I have yet to see one in person and the few in online ads were WAY too expensive. But I like Ruger single actions (this will be my 7th) so this should do the job. And this one was $425. Hope that was a decent price.

It's been a long time since I've taken on a new caliber. Working up handloads should be fun.

If anyone is familiar with this revolver or the cartridge, I would like to hear your experiences.

Jeff
 
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The Single Six in .32 is popular for use in Cowboy Action Shooting matches, especially for those with small hands or physical limitations that mandate minimum recoil.

Mine tend to shoot best with heavy bullets, ~100 grains at moderate velocity. The The Privi Partisan .32 S&W Long ammo is fairly cheap factory fodder, but groups are definitely not anything to brag about. Recoil from this load is comparable to hot .22s. Federal .32 H&R Magnum JHPs are a suitable choice for utilizing your Ruger for defensive purposes.

I bought a pair of .32 Single Sixes for CAS competition after an injury forced me to limit recoil drastically while healing. They lack the satisfying “boom” of service-grade .45 Colt loads, but they also do not batter damaged joint innards.

Finding .32 ammunition can be something of a challenge. I have never seen .32 H&R or Long at a Wal-Mart. Gun shops that carry .32 often charge a premium price, often $18-$20 for a 20 round box of .32H&R hollowpoints. Commercial reloading firms may be your best bet for significant quantities, if you do not make your own.
 
Are you talking 32 SWL? I have had a few over the years and just sold a R&P Target 6" version from 1929 - built on the I frame it is scary accurate. I still have an H&R. use nice cast bullets as you won't get enough velocity to make a JHP expand reliably enough. My loads, using Universal or Unique were in the 2.5 to 2.7 grain range - verify with your current manuals

IF you can get bullets cheap enough - it is almost as cheap as shooting a .22lr for plinking fun
 
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