32 s&w long or 32h&r for 98grain wadcutter

[R.W.Dale]

I'm looking to work up a load that will push a .313" 98 grain bevel base full wadcutter to between 800 and 900 fps from a 32magnum Taurus 731 2" snubby for general target practice, defense and some small game bushwacking.

I can source once fired 32 s&w long caliber in bulk fairly cheaply compared to 32 magnum.

My question is the 32 long capable of moving these bullets out at these speeds? In either case load data is nonexistent and will have to be worked up carefully probably exceeding SAAMI maximum for the long. This is not especially concerning to me as I own no other 32's

 

[Steve C]

These loads in the PDF link below for the .32 S&W Long come from the old Speer No 9 manual. They are for use in solid frame guns only as noted in the write up and not for hinged or top break guns. In your case they will serve fine in your Taurus magnum that's built for much higher pressures.

I have loaded the .32 S&W Long using this data to be shot from my Colt 4" Police Positive and the velocities listed are very close but less than what I chrono'd using 98gr Magtech LRN and 3.2 to 3.5 grs of Unique, WSP primers and Remington cases at 868 to 986 fps average and should send a SWC at similar velocity.


.32 S&W Long Speer 9 PDF

 

[henry-ctc]

Warning: Load over max. Only for modern revolvers in good condition. Use at your own.

What I do, as suggested here, is to seat a 98 HBWC in the upper lube cannelure, thus getting more volume for the powder. Then load with 2.2 grains of Bullseye, a little more is not needed to get the velocity you´re looking for. Those bullets have a lot of bearing surface and rise pressure quickly.
And remember, always work up your loads.

 

[Walkalong]

That is pushing it in the .32 Long. I recently bought 500 Starline .32 Mag cases for doing almost the same thing. The price wasn't bad, and they should last a great long time, as I am not pushing them quite as hard. (83 Gr at 825 from a 4" barrel)

What kind of numbers are you calling "bulk"?

 

[R.W.Dale]

500pcs once fired cleaned and deprimed for $66 + shipping

 

[noylj]

Loads I show for 90gn bullets in .32 S&W Long show a max velocity of 750fps.
700-750fps is also "ideal" target velocity for these bullets. This is NOT a high pressure cartridge and guns for it are not designed for higher pressure.
.32 H&R Magnum can reach 900fps with 90gn bullets, but 700-750fps is still likely to be the most accurate.

 

[Clark]

I have got 1413 fps with 85 gr Hornady .312" JHP, 1.3" OAL fired from a 32 S&W Long 1907 Colt revolver.
That is after I beefed up the forcing cone.

 

[R.W.Dale]

UPDATE

I ended up scoring 500 starline h&r mag cases new for $55

However I'm still at somewhat of a loss for data. I have some for 231/Hp38 but I can't help but suspect hs6 would be better to get the velocity I seek.

 

[bubba15301]

i used 2400 in my ruger before i sold it in .32 h&r mag starline brass. if you are using loads for a swc you have to reduce the loads for a wc bullet or you will get increased pressure

 

[FROGO207]

I am using some 95 grain LSWC with 4.9 grains HS6 and getting 950'ish FPS out of them. Also using 3.3 grains of Bullseye with a 98 grain LRNFP for 970'ish FPS. Also using 100 grain LRN with 3.0 grains of Trail Boss for a great shooting and accurate load around 820 FPS. I have no experience with DEWC in the 32 H&R MAG though. I would think that around 2.6-2.8 grains of Bullseye or Green Dot would be in the 900 FPS ball park with a 98 grain LWC at a safe pressure IMHO.

 

[noylj]

Wadcutters are not high velocity bullets

Do not use a HBWC at velocities over 800 fps. They have a nasty tendency to separate the skirt from the main bullet and can stick the skirt in the barrel.
DEWCs are needed for higher velocity.
Be sure the bullets are AT LEAST 0.001" over barrel groove diameter and that seating the soft bullet does not swage the bullet down in diameter.
If seating flush with the case mouth, seat just under the case mouth and use a Redding Profile Crimp die to place a very slight roll crimp on the case mouth.
If loading for a revolver, you can seat the bullet out a little and place the roll crimp into the crimp groove or even the first grease groove.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Success! Loaded to anywhere between 850 and 950 fps using hs6 these bullets were astoundingly good shooters. Best of all they shot exactly to poa.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Success! Loaded to anywhere between 850 and 950 fps using hs6 these bullets were astoundingly good shooters. Best of all they shot exactly to poa.

View attachment 170239

That's good news. Are you shooting those 10 yard groups from the bench?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Slowfire single action elbows on the bench over my Chronograph

 

[evan price]

I load the Lee 93 grain roundnose over either 2.5 grains of Titegroup or 2.5 grains of Red Dot/PROMO. you can tell the difference, the RedDot/PROMO load is a bit lighter. Both shoot well in 32 long brass in my revolvers. No pressure signs.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I performed a penatration test today using these bullets fired into a vertical water column.

@ 850 fps the bullet penatrated 29" of water. Recovered weight was 95g and expanded diameter was .311"

This was the "start load" from my workup, the Max load had another 100 fps but in light of these results I don't believe anything is to be gained from loading these hotter.

These things penatrate like nobody's buisness! Pure speculation but I'm under the impression that the wide meplat on these will provide some enhanced wounding ability over FMJ or non expanding lead as used in other mouseguns.

This load gun combination definitely has potential as a hiking- field load in non bear country for up to coyote sized critters.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Wadcutters work great. How are you able to measure water penetration vertically?

 

[R.W.Dale]

Wadcutters work great. How are you able to measure water penetration vertically?

I have a rig made up from a couple of buckets with places on the sides where I can staple paper or styrofoam plates at even intervals starting at 18" depth. As the bullets go deeper more plates get bullet holes in them.

 

[Certaindeaf]

^
Well heck, that's pretty cool.

 

[R.W.Dale]

^
Well heck, that's pretty cool.

Thank you. So far I've done two tests and its worked pretty well both times. I did have to double up on the buckets though when the shock from 124gold dots from my 905 split the sides