32 long loads?

[Marc257]

Anybody got a favorite 32 long load? I currently use W-231 for my 45acp loads and would like to use either it or maybe some AA5 that I have.

Thanks,

 

[Slamfire]

I do not have any W231 data. I started at Bullseye, and stopped with Bullseye. One detour with Unique. Which worked very well.

In warmer weather the factory Aquila just stayed under 700 fps. Aquila leaded the barrel so badly I could not see rifling. Still, it gave me a reference load.

I prefer the 2.5 grs Bullseye with a 100 grain bullet. I went up to 3.0 grains, the velocities really jumped, the load shot well, cases virtually fell out, and nothing happened. However the velocities greatly exceeded any published data. As my revolver is very old, unknown heat treatment, probably of soft metals, and of extremely light construction, I decided the limit was 2.5 grains.

I don’t have a top break 32 S&W L revolver. Those revolvers are extremely weak compared to a solid frame. It is easy to stretch the locking mechanism. I assume the Aquila is safe for top break revolvers.

Still, I would not shoot an Iver Johnson or some of the other top breaks that were called "Suicide Specials" when these revolvers were new.

A smokeless era S&W top break would be safe to shoot, but only with light loads.

My one estimated load with Unique worked well. I can recommend that powder in 32 S&W Long.

I am totally unimpressed with the power of a 32 S&W long. I was told my revolver was owned by a Deputy, maybe it was Auxilary Law Enforcement. I find it surprising that Law Enforcement carried these things. I can believe that people liked carrying this revolver, it is so small that it is the size of toy, but there is a long list of cartridges I would use before I used a 32 S&W L in self defense.

Shill gunwriters used to promote the cartridge saying it was “good for small game.”, I consider hunting squirrels or rats with a centerfire a waste of time and money. I don’t consider this round good for anything but paper punching.

It does shoot accurately, has virtually no recoil, and would not intimidate anyone.

[SIZE="3"]S&W No. 3 Handejector 3.25" barrel  
    
98 LRN  Aguila Factory 
  19 Mar 06 T = 51 °F  
 
Ave Vel = 665.9   
Std Dev = 17.52   
ES = 69.38   
High = 697   
Low = 627.6   
N = 32   
    
    
78 LRN .312" 2.0 grs Bullseye CCI 500 Aguila brass  
19 Mar 06 T = 51 °F 
  
Ave Vel = 611.7   
Std Dev = 42.69    
ES = 146.9    
High = 699.3    
Low = 552.4    
N = 20    
     
    
    
100 gr FMJ 2.0 grs Bullseye Aguila Brass WSP OAL 1.18" 
19 Mar 06 T = 51 °F   

Ave Vel = 553   
Std Dev = 34.78    
ES = 102.4    
High = 604.1    
Low = 501.6    
N = 11    
Too slow    
    
100 gr LBBFP .313" Valiant 2.25 grs Bullseye SS Brass WSP   
19 Mar 06 T = 51   °F

Ave Vel = 693.3   
Std Dev = 20.71    
ES = 103.9    
High = 721.8    
Low = 617.9    
N = 32    

Elevation good Windage left Mild recoil  

100 gr LBBFP .313" Valiant 2.5 grs Bullseye SS Brass WSP  
19 Mar 06 T = 51   °F

Ave Vel = 768.2   
Std Dev = 16.97    
ES = 62.06    
High = 807.3    
Low = 745.3    
N = 17    
    
Elevation good, Windage good, Mild recoil , prefer this to 2.25 grain load 
    
100gr Valiant LBBFP.313" 3.0 grs Bullseye WSP R P brass 
4 Feb 06 T = 44 °F   

Ave Vel = 861   
Std Dev = 14.83    
ES = 57.83    
High = 889.6    
Low = 832.1    
N = 31    
    
Exceeds reloading manual data. No leading, easy extraction, rounded primers 

 
    
100 gr LBBFP .313" Valiant 2.9 grs Unique SS Brass WSP 19 Mar 06
19 Mar 06    T = 51 °F

Ave Vel = 717.4   
Std Dev = 42.33    
ES = 144    
High = 789.3    
Low = 645.3    
N = 18    
    
Elevation good, Windage good Mild recoil,  accurate[/SIZE]

 

[loadedround]

231 would be an excellent powder for the 32 S&W Long. So would Titegroup and 700-X. AA#5 would be much to slow for use in the old 32. I'm really surprised that someone wants to load that cartridge....cowboy shooting?

 

[MMCSRET]

I use 2.5 gr. bullseye under a 95 gr. cast round nose for all my Colt revolvers in that chambering. Had three of them out this afternoon ad put 200+ round thru the three of them total, I left two at home, they get to go next time.
As for surprise-------I shoot more 32 S&W and Long than all others combined, and I've got most of them. Its cheap, easy, pleasant, accurate and just plain fun!!!!!

 

[Marc257]

A friend of mine has an .32long and knew I handloaded. Said he'd like to get the old gun out and shoot it but couldn't find any factory ammo. Told me he'd buy me a set of dies if I'd load him some. I never turn down free dies. Ordered them and the next day happened upon one box of 98gr. LSW Hornadys at the store, cheap. Just wanted some feedback on what others had loaded up.

 

[MMCSRET]

I shoot mostly 32 S&W with a cast 85 gr. bullet in a couple of my older Colts, its fun and cheap. I use 1.5 gr. Bullseye in it. And-- your 32 Long dies will load 32 Mag and 327 Magnum. I'm just doing load development for a 327 and am slowed down by a lack of cases and I'm not going to buy 20 rds for $20. I'm working to up a 32 magnum load, to more potential, fun,fun,fun.

 

[y5e06]

I load 32 S&W Long out of an old early 1900's handejector.
I basically run 2-2.1gr of Bullseye using 100gr Missouri Bullets.
Great accuracy out of the ol' girl, but no chrono data to share.
Pistol is used for plinking and admiring heritage (heirloom for me) so I don't try to push the loads.

 

[Marc257]

Well, I found a load in my old Hornady book for W-231, starting at 1.8gr and max and 2.5. I had to go with 2.0 because my powder measure would throw any thing less. Should be a pleasant load. It makes me want an old Handejector.