.32 H&R Sabot loads

[MachIVshooter]

Anyone ever done it? I got some, planning to load several .30 caliber rifle rounds with 50 gr. Z-max bullets, but also thought it would be fun to try in the "almost" .30 caliber .32 H&R mag. Thing is, I can't find any such data, and figured if someone here has done it, it might save me the trouble of developing loads from the very bottom. The bullet & sabot weigh 56 grs. I'm thinking it ought to be able to achieve 1,600+ FPS from the SP-101 3".

 

[jerkface11]

I played with them in a .30 carbine blackhawk. Worst accuracy you will ever see.

 

[JLDickmon]

subscribing

 

[MachIVshooter]

Well, I loaded some up with 12 grs. H110 and mag primers. Wanted to use more, but even after removing the polymer tips from the bullets, 12 grs. was the most I could get in the case and still seat deep enough to fit in the cylinder.

I'll see what those do, then maybe try it with something like IMR800x.

I'll update once I chrono them.

 

[suemarkp]

I wouldn't be messing with H110 in undocumented loads -- it seems to be a fussy powder. Probably want something faster for a bullet this light anyway (e.g. Win231/HP38, Unique, AA #2 or #5).

Can you find load data for a 60gr 32ACP bullet for the 32 H&R? If so, that would be your starting point. But the sabot will probably sit deeper than a 60gr bullet, so don't push max loads.

Rifling twist is probably going to be a bit slow for things 50gr or heavier. Do you know your twist?

From MD SMith's reloading pages data for 60gr in a 32 H&R:
Bullseye use 3.8 to 4.3 grains
HP38 use 3.0 to 4.2 grains
Unique use 4.5 to 5.0 grains
W231 use 4.4 to 4.8 grains
TrueBlue use 6.5 to 7.5 grains
Ramshot Competition use 3.8 to 4.5 grains

 

[56hawk]

Well, I loaded some up with 12 grs. H110 and mag primers.

I'm also thinking H110 is way to slow of a powder for this load. I plugged it into quickload and it recommended Bullseye, Unique or Power Pistol for maximum velocity. Of course I had to guess on some of the perimeters. Looks like about a half grain more than the loads suemarkp listed should be your max.

Can't wait to see your chronograph results, but I think you are going to be very disappointing with that H110 load.

 

[Swampman]

I know almost nothing about the .32 H&R, but I do have some experience loading sabot rounds in CZ-52 pistols and .30 Carbines. The 1/20" twist rate of the .30 Carbine makes it a hopeless case, I couldn't get it to stabilize anything, regardless of velocity. The CZ however did show some promise. I can't recall the exact rate of twist, but I think it was in the neighborhood of 1/14".
I was not able to get adequate stabilization with 50 or 52 grain bullets, but when I tried Sierra 40 gr..224 Hornet bullets they did quite well when pushed to maximum velocities with Alliant Power Pistol. H-110 gave very erratic velocities, poor accuracy and left a LOT of unburned powder behind to gum things up.
I have several CZ-52s, with bores running from .309" to .312", oddly enough, best accuracy and velocity were obtained from the .312" barreled pistol, even though the sabots miked out at .3085.
I think the 1/16" twist rate, short barrel and "jump" from cylinder to barrel are all going to prove problematic for your project, but for the best chance of success, I'd look to the shortest, lightest .224 bullet you can find, pushed by a powder that's somewhat faster burning and easier to ignite than H-110. Assuming that you're using 5.7 gr. sabots, starting loads for a 60 grain bullet should be safe. Use a very firm crimp, plastic doesn't hold near as well as gilding metal.
This is all just my opinion and probably worth less than you paid for it, as I said in the beginning, I'm totally ignorant of the .32 H&R...
Have fun and stay safe,
Swampman

 

[Swampman]

Almost forgot, you didn't say what kind of chronograph you have, but if it has any fragile components downrange, COVER THEM UP TO PROTECT THEM FROM SABOT HITS!
The little ledge at the front of a Chrony F1 is perfect for placing an empty Federal, 50 round .45 ACP box with a few 230 grain bullets (Not cartridges!) in the bottom row of the plastic tray to keep it stable.
Also remember that even leaving an errent sabot out of the equation, your rounds will shoot considerably lower than normal ball or HP. Place the Chronograph fairly close to your shooting position to avoid expensive mistakes.
Have fun, stay safe and don't trash the equipment,
Swampman

 

[bangaway]

Where do you get 30 cal sabots? Have fun and bangaway.

 

[Swampman]

bangaway
Here ya go, they are nice folks to deal with, but the load data they have listed isn't the best.

http://www.jdcomponents.com/

 

[MachIVshooter]

Where do you get 30 cal sabots?

http://www.eabco.com/


The H-110 was a flop. only 1,220 FPS; I was getting 1,335 FPS with 90 grainers using W231 (over published loads, but it's an SP-101 3").

I might give it another go with W231 behind the sabots. And this time I'll try not to poke a hole in my chronograph......

 

[jerkface11]

And the accuracy?

 

[MachIVshooter]

And the accuracy?

Don't know yet. I only had 10 rounds with me, and the Chrony was giving me trouble with the evening light. I only got readings on 4 of 10.