ruger single 7?

[C0untZer0]

i didn't understand that article. is the point you gotta have a custom gun to make 32acp accurate?

No

But some of the ammo out there is smaller diameter, and that is going to be less accurate.

I think the key to shooting 32 ACP accurately out of a 327 Federal Magnum revolver is to find 32 ACP that has the largest bullet diameter.

I think you research the bullets, get the fattest one you can and see how it works.

Some 32 ACP bulls eye shooters years ago were experimenting with lead bullets as big as .313 - doing their own loading. Some of them like the Hornady factory XTP 60 grain, and I've seen targets where they've put 10 rounds inside the X ring at 50 yards (with a Pardini )




* I'm not advocating that anyone try to shoot .313" bullets through their .32 semi-auto, especially not jacketed ammo, I'm just relating what some competitors were doing in the past (with lead).

 

[susieqz]

thanks, count. i'll reread that article. sometimes it takes me a while to get something.

 

[BSA1]

I can’t comment about use of 32 acp in a revolver but I can comment on using it in a handgun chambered in a modified derringer.

Years ago I brought a Davis derringer that is chambered in 32 Auto. I modified it to use 32 S&W in Cowboy Action Shooting side matches. We recut the rear of the chambers so the thicker rim of the 32 S&W will sit deep enough to be flush with the back of the barrels. In doing so the 32 Auto sits deeper due to it’s thinner rim. Despite this the gun will fire the 32 Auto everytime I have tried it.

So I will say it is a successful combination that should also work with 32 Long and magnum BUT I will not do it for self-defense. The slightly thinner rim requires the round to sit deeper and a longer reach for the firing pin. A harder hit on the firing is required to make sure it travels deep enough to hit the primer hard enough for it to fire which in turns means a strong mainspring. The strong mainspring may make the trigger pull too heavy for you. Also since the 32 Auto is a semi-rimmed design I lack confidence in it not shifting forward into the chamber when hit by the firing pin causing a misfire. The thick rim of 32 S&W, Long and Magnum a slightly deeper helps if the chamber is cut slightly deeper.

In summary there is very good ammunition made in 32 Magnum for self-defense. Hornady Critical Defense is among the best. My modified Davis derringer is a fun range toy which I will never use for self-defense.

p.s. Does Ruger actually approve use of 32 ACP or is this just something the gunwriters are recommending?

 

[SlowFuse]

Going by the two key points that you would like to shoot rabbits around 25 yards and you aren't fond or recoil it sounds like the 32 s&w long would be best. The 327 doesn't produce terrible recoil but would completely destroy meat on a rabbit.

If it were me I would get something like a s&w hand ejector in 32 s&w long with around a 4" barrel. Below is a link, it isn't the best example but gives an idea of what I'm thinking.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=478987448

 

[susieqz]

bsa, i guess ruger approves because they list it as one possible cartridge to use.
thanks slow. i guess i was wrong that only the 32acp gives little recoil.

see, i wanna hit what i aim at. not gonna happen if recoil scares me.

 

[Malamute]

Besides the new gun, Ruger used to make the single six in 32 H&R mag cal. They may turn up used.

One of the posts (about the Pardidni) reminded me of a gun in a gunsmithing book i had from years ago. They had used a Ruger 22 auto, the long barrel target model, and rebuilt it to 32 S&W long as a target pistol for the centerfire class. That would be a LOT of fun, and cheap to shoot. Would be expensive to build however.

Wonder if Ruger could be talked into it?

 

[Zcarp2]

SuzieQ
You don't say revolver or pistol. Older 32 acp semi automatics are around. Older S&W revolvers (mod 30 or hand ejectors) are also. If you want a newer one, the ruger is great. I was impressed with the beretta tomcat & i'm looking for one of those. The colt 1903 is still out there. Lots of options.
Best of luck with whatever you choose

 

[susieqz]

thanks. Z. i mostly shoot 22 semi autos but i'm only finding little ones made for concealed carry in .32.. i'm looking for something like a target pistol.
for me, the gun mal described would be perfect.
i have no experience with revolvers but the seem closer to target guns so i'll probably get one.
it's really fun to compete against yourself trying to get smaller n smaller groups.
i have no need for a concealed carry gun.

revolvers sure seem complicated. i'd be afraid to try to field strip one, or work on improving trigger pull.
i think i can mod a semi to a 2 lb pull, my ideal. as soon as i get brave, i'll put a custom sear in my 22/45. it's nice to be able to do stuff like that.

 

[CraigC]

This is being made way more difficult than necessary. The .32H&R will give good accuracy out of a .327 and not destroy too much meat. Here's three loads that should cover it, one 1000fps, the others ~750fps. All three in stock. All three better than .32ACP. Or you could also procure an older Ruger in .32H&R, which might, if you're lucky, save you a few bucks.

Federal 1030fps:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/511811

Black Hills cowboy 750fps:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/614453

UltraMax 720fps:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/111497

 

[CraigC]

But I would be all over a fixed barrel auto like the MK-series in .32ACP or .380!

 

[Zcarp2]

A couple thoughts. If you reload, you will want to pick up the brass. How much grass do you have in the yard? Might sway you to a revolver where you dump the empties into a basket.
Target pistol - to me that screams Thompson Contender with a 32 H&R barrel. You don't mind single shot? The trigger will be closer to a single action than the longer pull of a double action revolver. Although revolvers can have wonderful triggers.
They do make 32 S&W semi automatics for competition target shooting using full wadcutters. This option will work, but they are pricey. Nice!

Ruger Single Seven $600-ish
Ruger Single Six in 32 H&R Mag $500-ish
S&W Model 30 $300 to 600 depends on condition. Fixed sights though. Other models available. I or J frame is smaller, but you can change grips.
TC Contender - $400 to 650 - you would have to piece this one together. And easy to scope, but that makes them heavier for shooting off hand.
Competition 32 - no clue, $1000?

I'd say you are well served sticking to the 32 long. the 32 H&R Mag wouldn't be a big difference for your requirements.

They used to sell 32 S&W Long wad cutter loads. You would have to check for availability and price. Target ammo though. Little pricey.

 

[Zcarp2]

You don't need to field strip a revolver. Swing the cylinder out and clean all the chambers and then the barrel and frame. Special attention to the yoke since this could bind up with enough powder fouling. Don't even need a screw driver. Now, once a decade or so, I do take the side panel off and clean any fouling or pocket lint out of the lock work. You could even pay a gun smith if you aren't mechanically inclined. But no more than once a decade.

Cock the hammer and try the single action pull. You probably won't even need to mess with trigger pull.

Cheers!

 

[WestKentucky]

Suzieqz, for what you are wanting I would look at smith model 30,30-1, and 31 revolvers. All three are discontinued but are available on the used market. They shoot the 32 smith and wesson long cartridge which is very soft shooting and very capable of putting the rabbit in your stew. Other companies have made small revolvers in 32swl (I have 3 different ones) but the only current manufacturer I know of is Charter Arms. You could also look at 32 H&R mag guns as they are nearly identical but take the longer, more powerful shell. I have shot 32acp reloads in my 32swl guns but they are not super accurate as the other folks have mentioned. The longer free bore is likely to blame.

If cheap is your goal though, stick with rimfire. Since you don't reload, ammo at 20 bucks a box is going to sting pretty bad. I would look at varying my collection a bit to include another rimfire caliber so that you have more ammo to find. Also, a lot of guns are made to swap between 22lr and 22mag so you might be doing yourself a big favor there. 17hmr is VERY effective as well. But you lose the option of interchangeability.

 

[zb338]

Susie,
The .327 Federal is a nifty gun. You don't have to field strip a revolver. You
just open the cylinder or in the case of the Ruger you take it off and clean the gun.
Forget using .32 auto in it. It is not meant for that. You can shoot .32 short, long and
the two magnums. There has to be a load that would suit your needs. If you have a friend
that has one try it out. I think you might really like it.
Zeke

 

[susieqz]

thanks guys. this is a great thread. i've learned lots. i was disappointed to learn that 32acp is horrible, but now i know there are other low power loads that i can probably use.

i was thinking 32 acp because i thot it was my only option for a gun i would enjoy. now, i see i was wrong.
i think i'll try a revolver. with a cute western holster that would be fun.
i found that el paso saddlery place n i just gotta have one of their holsters, even if it costs as much as a gun.

 

[SlowFuse]

El Paso makes great stuff. It'll last a lifetime if properly taken care of.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[BCRider]

Susieqz, of the .32 size rounds out there the easier ones to reload for and get good accuracy with light recoil will be the ones with the longer cases. That's because the larger internal case volume will be more tolerant of small variations in the powder charges from round to round. The larger size case volumes also result in a lower peak pressure when fired which generates a softer sort of recoil even though the bullet ends up going just as fast.

So instead of the very difficult or even critical to load well .32 auto size I'd suggest you stick with the longer case options like .32S&W long, .32H&R or .327Federal which you simply load to the power level you enjoy. These will actually be fairly simple to load even for a beginner.

On the topic of which gear to buy You Tube is your friend. Go there and in the search line put "lee loader" and watch a few of them doing the "Whack-A-Mole" game to make their ammo. Then do a second search on "single stage handgun". Scan down through the replies to find the ones loading actual handgun ammo.

From watching a few of each you'll soon get a feel for which you would prefer. A basic single stage setup running in easy to set up batches of 50 rounds will allow you to produce about 150 to 180 rounds per hour once you get past the learning stage.

One thing to never skip is using a flashlight to look in the cases before you set the bullets in place. You want to check for powder first to avoid a squib load and you also want to check that they are all at the same height of powder so you avoid a double charge. This is your double check that prevents any dangerous loads.

If you get to this point Lee makes a nice cheap single stage kit that comes with the hand primers, press, a beam scale and a few other bits. And it's pretty cheap to buy. And a LOT quieter than the "Whack-A-Mole" loader kit. You'd still need the correct dies to go with the kit to suit your revolver. But all in all you can be up and running for under $200 in gear cost for a single stage setup running one caliber.

 

[susieqz]

thanks, rider. am i correct in thinking that a round with a short case has to travel down the chamber before entering the barrel causing less accuracy?
is the most accurate round the one that leaves the casing n goes right into the barrel?

 

[Malamute]

In theory, yes. In practice, not neccessarily.

38 spl full wadcutter loads in a 357 magnum generally shoot extremely well.

22 LR in a revolver has quite a ways to travel through the cylinder throat before getting to the rifling, but they can shoot absolutely spectacularly well, the Smith & wesson K-22's being a good example. 22 shorts also shoot very well in the Smith & Wesson revolvers, with an even longer travel then 22 LR loads. The Smith & Wesson model 25 (1955 target) in 45 auto also has quite a long travel before getting to the barrel, but they are one of the most accurate revolvers I've ever shot.

There may be more at play in the instance of the various 32 rounds than simply the distance travelled by the bullet through the chamber and throat before getting to the barrel. The fit of the case to the chamber may be one, the fit of a bullet to the barrel may be another.

 

[JSH1]

I have a H&R 732 revolver in .32 S&W Long and a Ruger SP101 revolver in .32 H&R mag. I have a Single Seven on my list of guns to purchase in the future.

The 732 will not fire 32 ACP because the rim is too thin and I don't get good primer strikes. The SP101 will fire 32 ACP but the accuracy is poor. I can get 32 S&W long for about $16 a box, the recoil is the same or slightly lower than 32 ACP, and the accuracy is good. I see no reason to mess around with 32 ACP.

My SP101 likes these: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod...-32-sw-long-100-grain-lwc-50-rounds?a=1587627

The Ruger Single 7 or SP101 chambered in 32 H&R Mag or .327 Fed Mag would be great guns for target shooting and bunnies.

 

[susieqz]

thanks, mal n, jh. i am seriously interested in that single seven, if it's very accurate.
i have no experience with revolvers but i hear they are close to indestructable, according to an article in american rifleman.
one of my definitions of a good firearm is one that can work after lots of abuse. more, it should last for generations.
that means i need revolvers, if true..

 

[GooseGestapo]

I have a Single-7.
I've shot a LOT of .32acp through it. It is only slightly less accurate than .32long, .32H&R, or .327. I've actually shot less than 50rds of .327.

Even jacketed .32acp with. .308" bullets shot decent.
I didn't get it to shoot predominantly.327. I got it to make it in essence a reloadable.22rf. It is wildly successful.
I already had a 78gr rn mold, 93gr rn, 120gr FNGC,and 122gr FNGC. I bought a Lee .314" 90gr TL SWC.
I've also loaded shot loads, here the .327 cases excell.
I really wish S&W would make a run of K-frame guns in combat magnum form ( no full rib) like the Mod-19 or M-66.

My single 7 is profoundly accurate with the factory jacketed ammo.
Brian Pierce did an excellent article in "HANDLOADER" magazine. He got groups under 1" at 25 yds from a Ransom rest. Mine is likewise accurate. My only complaint is the creep in the trigger pull. Not a lot you can do about it.

Best thing about it is thre isn't much difference in poi between loads. At 25 yds, the .327 hit about 1.5" above the .32acp, .32long.

 

[Saleen322]

As others have said, 32 S&W will give much better accuracy than 32 ACP. This target was shot from a 327 mag using 32 S&W Long 98 grain wadcutters with 1.5 grains of powder @ 25 yards. Very accurate and 22 LR type recoil.

 

[susieqz]

great shooting sal.
i just called ruger asking if the single seven was drilled n tapped, in case i can't hit anything with it. he said no n ruger disapproves of modding it that way.

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

I have a number of Ruger single actions in 32H&R and 327 and both versions of the SP101. All shoot well with pretty much anything I load for them. My favorite load is 3grs of Trailboss with a 100gr cast bullet.