Stout but not excessive load for 32 H&R Magnum

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Good thread.

I'll probably end up moving away from .32 s&w Long to just loading and shooting. 32 magnum. My guns are both LCR .327's.
 
I’m thinking Hornady 100 Grain HP/XTP + 10 grains of H110 all wrapped up in Starline brass.

Sound reasonable?
Have you thought about trying lil gun?
I used 32 h&r data in my Nagant. It definitely gets the xtp bullets above their expansion threshold.
 
Have you thought about trying lil gun?
I used 32 h&r data in my Nagant. It definitely gets the xtp bullets above their expansion threshold.
I do a lot of 30 Carbine reloading so I have a lot of H110. That’s why I’m looking into the Starline brass + H110. The info I got gave the confidence to proceed.

If you look a Buffalo Bore loads for 32 H&R, they’re pretty stout. I suspect they’re using H110 and I know they’re using Starline brass.

HEAVY 32 H&R MAG. +P Ammo
100 gr. JHP @ (1,300 fps)

HEAVY 32 H&R MAG. +P OUTDOORSMAN
130 gr. Hard Cast Keith @ 1,125 fps
 
Those are EXACTLY what I get with Lil’Gun at lower pressure and significantly lower SD’s than H110.
Also, at standard.32H&R pressure. (~20,00psi).

For Plus + , H110 will approach.30Carbine performance, but the wide SD has been the bane of the .30Carbine Black Hawk for decades.
Going to .30carbine/.327Federal pressure also necessitates small rifle primers.
I’ll stick with .32H&R loads in the Mod76. They aren’t tossing nerf balls. If I want more, I’ll shoot .327’s in the Single-7. .30Carbines in the BlackHawk and USGI carbines...

Likewise, I stick with .32swl in those cases lest a “fireball” find its way into one of my little S&W Hand Ejectors...
 
Yeah, it sounds like Starline isn't going to say that .32 Mag brass can handle 45K PSI, but they're probably confident it can hold up at pressures over 21K.

I would try everything in a .327 at first just to check for pressure signs, then move over to .32 Mag. It seems OP is looking at getting .327 revolvers anyway in which case I'd have no concerns about loading .32 Mag into +P territory. @jski if you load any hollow points for the LCR stick with the 85gr XTP's and get them moving at least 1000 fps, that seems to be how fast the .32 XTP's need to go to expand. All the velocities I see listed in books and guides use a 5 or 6.5" barrel, so going to a 2 inch barrel means you're likely losing 150 to 200 fps and that puts you in the danger zone of not driving the bullet fast enough and .32's that don't expand aren't great.

My issue with an expanded 85 gr XTP is low sectional density / weight leading to low penetration. I'd prefer a slightly expanded 100 gr XTP or just a flat nose / unexpanded bullet to ensure penetration.
 
My issue with an expanded 85 gr XTP is low sectional density / weight leading to low penetration. I'd prefer a slightly expanded 100 gr XTP or just a flat nose / unexpanded bullet to ensure penetration.
.32 ACP uses a 71gr bullet and those go well over 12 inches deep. .32 S&W wadcutters are 98 grains and do something like 16 inches in gel from a snub.

The only calibers you have to worry about with penetration is .22 and .25.
 
.32 ACP uses a 71gr bullet and those go well over 12 inches deep. .32 S&W wadcutters are 98 grains and do something like 16 inches in gel from a snub.

The only calibers you have to worry about with penetration is .22 and .25.

I prefer to see an average of 18 inches of penetration in real, calibrated Ordinance Gelatin and 22 inches in clear gel, as that stuff acts differently.

My preferences are for deeper performance in these test mediums.

Doesn't mean I wont carry a .32 or .25, since i do. I also prefer a hollow point that doesn't expand much or at all so it doesn't arrest penetration too much or a flat point over round nose. (But, i end up carrying fmj because i often carry a .32 and / or .25)

I am aware of their weaknesses, anyway.
 
I do a lot of 30 Carbine reloading so I have a lot of H110. That’s why I’m looking into the Starline brass + H110. The info I got gave the confidence to proceed.

If you look a Buffalo Bore loads for 32 H&R, they’re pretty stout. I suspect they’re using H110 and I know they’re using Starline brass.

HEAVY 32 H&R MAG. +P Ammo
100 gr. JHP @ (1,300 fps)

HEAVY 32 H&R MAG. +P OUTDOORSMAN
130 gr. Hard Cast Keith @ 1,125 fps
What did you decide on and have you had a chance to test, yet?
 
I personally don't like Blue Dot for use in revolvers, I get a lot of unburned powder left over when I shoot it. Power Pistol is good even at max charges.
I had the same problem using #2400 in my 357,41,44,45, but solved it by loading MAX charges in all four Calibers. #2400 I believe is always ment to burn at max or close to max, could Blue Dot operate the same way??? Might try exceeding a few 10ths of a grain past MAXIMUM, CAREFULLY. Flattened primers usually first sign of NO MORE, back off a little, HANDLOADER Magazine is my go to guide. Reloading Manuals don't print full on top loads, not in business to make lawyers rich, too many of us get careless in creating, what could be bombs inches from our faces. So caution on their part is an absolute. Speer #8 Reloading Manual seems to have really honest top loads listed, my Oehler 35 P Chronograph is always seemly in full agreement with those loads listed.
 
I had the same problem using #2400 in my 357,41,44,45, but solved it by loading MAX charges in all four Calibers. #2400 I believe is always ment to burn at max or close to max, could Blue Dot operate the same way??? Might try exceeding a few 10ths of a grain past MAXIMUM, CAREFULLY. Flattened primers usually first sign of NO MORE, back off a little, HANDLOADER Magazine is my go to guide. Reloading Manuals don't print full on top loads, not in business to make lawyers rich, too many of us get careless in creating, what could be bombs inches from our faces. So caution on their part is an absolute. Speer #8 Reloading Manual seems to have really honest top loads listed, my Oehler 35 P Chronograph is always seemly in full agreement with those loads listed.
Not worth my time, tbh. Blue Dot works great in my 10mm handloads and uses over 9 grains per round and that works out to a bit more than 700 rounds per pound. Given how Alliant seems to have gone belly up I need to conserve what powders I have.
 
I had the same problem using #2400 in my 357,41,44,45, but solved it by loading MAX charges in all four Calibers. #2400 I believe is always ment to burn at max or close to max, could Blue Dot operate the same way??? Might try exceeding a few 10ths of a grain past MAXIMUM, CAREFULLY. Flattened primers usually first sign of NO MORE, back off a little, HANDLOADER Magazine is my go to guide. Reloading Manuals don't print full on top loads, not in business to make lawyers rich, too many of us get careless in creating, what could be bombs inches from our faces. So caution on their part is an absolute. Speer #8 Reloading Manual seems to have really honest top loads listed, my Oehler 35 P Chronograph is always seemly in full agreement with those loads listed.
Blue Dot definitely cleaned up on top end charges for me. But it's known for being spikey. I wouldn't recommend that plan to other people with that powder. It does work. But can easily become unsafe with temperature swings that happen in some climates.
 
I was shooting a Brazos 100 gr coated SWC over 4.2 gr Unique in my Bisley Single Six today.

This is as maximum a load as I’ll ever assemble for any caliber I load for. I know the Ruger is stronger than the original H&R revolvers were, but I don’t like dancing on the edge too much.

Just enough pop to let you know it wasn’t a powderpuff round and 9-ring accurate (Used a 25 yard slow-fire target) for me at 20 yards two-handed.

Stay safe.
 
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