.32 S&W ballistics, best load?

[ljnowell]

This is going to make the folks following the thread about .380 ACP effectiveness laugh, but here goes. As I mentioned in another thread, a nice little .32 S&W Iver Johnson top break caught my eye, so I have been wondering exactly how weak is .32 S&W (the original, not .32 S&W Long). The numbers are pretty modest, to say the least (per Wikipedia):



Still, if you were going to carry one, you'd want the most effective load possible. I'm assuming an early 20th century gun intended for smokeless power loads. Maybe a hard cast wadcutter, the heck with expansion, just go for penetration and sharp edges?

I would treat it the same way I treat my j frame when I carry it. 99% of the time I'm carrying a 158 grain SWC. It's not a massive power gun that will always get good expansion so I go with something that I know will penetrate well and make a good hole.

Many may not agree with me but that's my take on it. Add a buck to that and you can get a coffee at McDonalds.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Bass Pro received a large batch of Remington .32 S&W last year. As with many of the odd ball calibers, they can stay on the shelf for a long time.

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, though I checked their site and the. 32 S&W (not Long) is on backorder