New Favorite Load for .32 S&W Long

[Mr_Flintstone]

I know there’s been a lot of talk lately about .32 S&W Long, but it got me to get back in the reloading room. I had been displaced for some time by renovation, but I finally bought a small rolling cart to mount everything to, so I could store it in a closet.

Anyway, today I dug out some brass and the bullets that were on top were some Cast Performance 95 gr cast semi-wadcutters. Looking at my my Cast Bullet Handbook #4, it listed a max load of 3.1 gr Unique for a 93 gr bullet, and since I was going to be shooting them from an H&R Magnum revolver, I just decided to go with a max load.

My chronograph was a little wonky today because it was drizzling rain, but I got enough results to show an average velocity of 830 fps. That gives a bullet energy of about 145 ft lbs. I saw some register higher and lower, but for some reason they didn’t record to my phone. Anyway, close enough for a rainy day.

The revolver I was using was a Charter Arms Undercoverette with a 2” barrel, so I thought that was a pretty good load. Running the load through Gordon’s Reloading Tool, I got a calculated velocity of 821 fps at 13,407 psi.

I’m thinking that I’ve found a new favorite load for this cartridge.

 

[wcwhitey]

That is snappy load for .32 Long. Perfect for a H&R Magnum. How was the accuracy!

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

820fps from a 2" revolver is surprising, but the 13k+ pressure is well within specs.
I would be interested in real chrono readings on a good day.

Sounds like a good load for you.

 

[Blkhrt13]

Im glad to see the round get some love. I will be getting a set of dies for it as well. I need to get some practice in for 38 special first. I want to built with what I got.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

That is snappy load for .32 Long. Perfect for a H&R Magnum. How was the accuracy!

I actually didn’t have a chance to do much shooting. I had just enough time between rainstorms to run out and check velocity. I plan to do a little target shooting today if weather permits. If it holds a good group, I’ll be really happy.

 

[wcwhitey]

I actually didn’t have a chance to do much shooting. I had just enough time between rainstorms to run out and check velocity. I plan to do a little target shooting today if weather permits. If it holds a good group, I’ll be really happy.

I load a 100 Grain SWC 2.5 Grains of Unique, basically a factory duplication load. Safe for older guns and plenty accurate in the new ones. Same for 100 Grain DEWC’s 1.8 Grain Win244. Great paper punchers and not bad at 780 fps. Here is a good article for your reading pleasure.
https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/32longnotes2.htm

http://www.lasc.us/fryxellthe32s-wlong.htm

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

I load a 100 Grain SWC 2.5 Grains of Unique, basically a factory duplication load. Safe for older guns and plenty accurate in the new ones. Same for 100 Grain DEWC’s 1.8 Grain Win244. Great paper punchers and not bad at 780 fps. Here is a good article for your reading pleasure.
https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/32longnotes2.htm

http://www.lasc.us/fryxellthe32s-wlong.htm

Thanks. Those are great reads.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Well, I made up some more loads today, and decided to back off by .1 gr to 3.0 gr Unique. The result was an average velocity of 811 fps and a group size of about 2” at 10 yards. They did hit a little high and left, but manageable with the fixed sights. GRT showed an estimated velocity of 808 fps at 12,911 psi.

I’m pretty happy with this load, but I’m still going to tinker with other powders to see what I get.

 

[Shivahasagun]

Such a fun cartridge!

90 gr SNS .313 & 2.5 gr 700x from my .327 Ruger LCR 1 7/8 in. gave me 722 fps avg. & 13 fps ES. Good bang, easy extraction.

Unfortunately, I recall 700x not being in Gordon's Reloading Tool.