32 H&R mag

[Bartojc]

I have a Single Six in 32 mag on the way. This will be a new caliber and cartridge for me to reload. I see some 32 S&W long ammo on the shelf so that might be a way to get some brass to start with. Will a set of magnum dies work for 32 longs ? If I want to load longs and magnums do I need two die sets ? For fun and range I’d probably be fine with S&W longs but I’d like to have the option to load magnum as well . What do most of you all do ?


Thanks,
Jeff

 

[.308 Norma]

For fun and range I’d probably be fine with S&W longs but I’d like to have the option to load magnum as well . What do most of you all do ?

I mostly load 32 H&R Mag ammo to 32 S&W Long specs - just like loading .357 ammo to 38 Special specs, or 44 Mag ammo to 44 Special specs.
I think you can use 32 H&R mag dies for loading 32 S&W Long ammo. The only (possible) problem I can see is that you might have a problem crimping the cases. But maybe not.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I have a Single Six in 32 mag on the way. This will be a new caliber and cartridge for me to reload. I see some 32 S&W long ammo on the shelf so that might be a way to get some brass to start with. Will a set of magnum dies work for 32 longs ? If I want to load longs and magnums do I need two die sets ? For fun and range I’d probably be fine with S&W longs but I’d like to have the option to load magnum as well . What do most of you all do ?


Thanks,
Jeff

I have the Lee r4-die set and use it for .32S&W, .32 Long, and .32 H&R Magnum. I also have extra dies setup for .32H&R (the 1880’s BP round, not the new magnum) and for BP .32S&W seating and sizing dies just for black powder loads. No reason, just wanted to keep a set for black powder rounds.

 

[Bartojc]

Well, a little research and I found this on the Lee site

“The 32 S&W Long die set we produce can be used to load 32 S&W Long, 32 H&R Magnum and 327 Federal Mag. To load magnum length cases, back out the Powder Through Expanding and Bullet Seating Dies about (2) two turns from the shell holder.

Do not use the load data sent along with the 32 S&W Long die set. To obtain load data for the 32 H&R Magnum, please purchase the Load Data Chart.https://leeprecision.com/32-h-r-charge-table.html

Load data for the 327 Federal Mag can be found in our 2017 and later versions of the Modern Reloading Book, or directly through your favorite powder manufacturer.”


So, it looks like one die set can load both. Magnum brass and ammo is scarce but S&W Long seem available.

jeff

 

[Frulk]

I use Hornadys 3-die set with a Lee FCD for .32H&R. On the box it says they can be used for .32 S&W.

For .327FM I use Lee’s 4 die set. They can be used for .32H&R.

 

[mdi]

I have a Charter Arms Professional in 32 Magnum. I reload about 80% using Starline 32 H&R Magnum brass and the rest with "once fired" 32 S&W Long PP brass. Same die set . Sometimes I use a 32 ACP taper crimp on my 32 Longs, but always a roll crimp on my 32 H&R. 98% of my load data, for both Longs and H&R come from my published reloading manuals...

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

I use the Hornady dies for both, but only because the Lee dies were out of stock. Either will work. I personally like loading 32 S&W Long, but you need to look out for some of the old data. There are some examples out there in old load manuals where the max 32 Long data has actual pressures exceeding the magnums. Stick to newer data when possible.

 

[Frulk]

Just taking an afternoon break from chores and looking at some of my .32 H&R data recorded using a Birdshead stainless Single Six in .32 H&R and a chrono. Posting for your general FYI with comments I made.

Hornady XTP 100 grain using Unique powder/CCI SPP/Used Starline Brass....948 FPS average.

Hornady XTP 85 Grain using #7 powder/CCI 500 primer/Used Starline Brass....1163 FPS average. All extracted easily. Some primer flattening. Powder seemed somewhat position sensitive as this average was with powder at primer (gun up and then slowly lowered...vs lowered and slowly brought to level). Average difference between up/down positions was 118 FPS. Range temp was 23 degrees. Load seemed pretty accurate on a full-sized plate steel torso while shooting standing at @ 50 yards. Up cases had mild (just starting to be noticeable) primer flattening.

Locally cast RNFP 115 grain using #9 powder/CCI 500/New Starline Brass....1118 FPS average.

Locally cast RNFP 120 grain using #5 powder/CCI SPP/Used Starline Brass....821 FPS...Very mild recoil. All ejected fine. No primer changes.

^^^^^That same load in a .327FM Henry steel rifle with 20-inch barrel (I think) produced 1070 FPS for an average. Cycled and fed nicely. No primer changes.

 

[cfullgraf]

I think you can use 32 H&R mag dies for loading 32 S&W Long ammo. The only (possible) problem I can see is that you might have a problem crimping the cases. But maybe not.

What .308 Norma said.

I have revolvers chambered in 32 S&WL, 32 H&R Mag, and 327 Fed Mag. I have a set of dies for each but some list they cover a couple cartridges. If the crimping of the dies you use won’t crimp the shorter case, you could get a crimp die for the short cartridge.

I have only one 32 H&R Mag revolver, an S&W 16-4, and I mostly load wadcutters in 32 H&R Mag cases for the revolver.

 

[Bartojc]

Thanks guys this all helps. I'll likely start with some 32 S&W Long brass because that is what is readily available. I'll buy dies that accordingly will load both, and if not possibly need to get a different crimp die as has been mentioned. Mag brass seems scarce so I'll have to keep my eyes open for some, and need to keep it seperate from the other 32 brass. I did order a couple boxes of 32 S&W Long to shoot, and give me a start for some brass. THis will probably be the only factory ammot I'll ever shoot in it unless I stumble upon some Mag ammo.

-Jeff

 

[GooseGestapo]

Though I bought an additional 4die set for .32S&W (loads .32H&R, ..32S&WL, .327Fed,
I also have a set that is stamped.32acp, .32S&W, ect.
Only difference is the shell holder.
I keep one set for .32acp, and .30SC; other for all others. I only have to adjust for case length.
They are paired with the correct shell plate..

 

[Walkalong]

I too have separate die sets for .32 Long and .32 Mag, it's just easier.

 

[Riomouse911]

I had an issue with my Bisley Single Six .32 Mag perforating small pistol primers when fired, even with very soft loads. (I think the firing pin is a tad too long.) So, I swapped to reloading with small rifle primers for my .32 loads. Since the swap to SRP I have had no further issues and the loads shoot well.

## The following have shown to be safe in my gun, please reduce and work up a safe load in yours!##

My absolute maximum .32 H&R load is a Montana Bullet Works 125 gr SWCGC over 4.2 gr Unique. It is a lower charge than some that others have done, but I don’t ride too far along the razors’ edge. Accuracy is good but not great.

A Brazos Bullets 100 gr Coated RNFP over 4.2 gr Unique is a really good load; pretty fast and accurate in my gun.

Both the 115 Missouri Bullet Co Costed RNFP over 3.9 gr Unique and an ACME coated 120 gr RNFP over 3.7 gr Unique are also fun loads, the 120 gr load is my best one for accuracy.



#1 was a wadcutter load, #2 was the 125 gr load, #3 was the 100 gr load and #4 at low right was the 120 gr load. 18 shots @ 15 yards, butt rested on the table. (Lower left were a couple of shots I fired with some leftovers.) Not bullseye quality stuff on my part, but these should be spot on at 30-35 yards which is perfect bunny-distance.



Stay safe.