.32 S&W Long "+p"

[JERRY]

Magtech 98 grain Semi jacketed hollow point.

On a recent range trip I was shootin some 32 S&W 98 grain round nose and some 32 H&R magnums.

I've noticed this before but never really thought much of it until I tried it again with different batches of ammo. The magtech 98 grain semi jacketed hollow point it's just a standard 32 Smith and West and long round however it seems to be loaded a little bit hotter. Now I'm sure it's not quite the level of the 32 H&R magnum but it is definitely loaded hotter than standard 32 Smith and Wesson long. Notice this in 4 different boxes of this ammunition so I doubt it's a fluke.

Anyone else noticed this? I think I might have found a new favorite in between.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would chrony them if possible, best way to know for sure.

If running very hot though I would worry about it damaging some of the old 32L only pistols, which would be a liability on the company.

For years the 32acp from the EU was hotter than the US version, so may be the same case here. Not sure.

 

[fxvr5]

The SAAMI pressure limit is 15,000 psi

The CIP pressure limit is 14,504 psi (1,000 bar).

So, no difference there.

 

[WestKentucky]

Magtech does seem to be a tad hotter than most others. When I reload I basically match magtech both in feel and POI. Since I don’t have a chrono I can only assume that POI and feel being similar I get similar velocity.

BTW the only 32long factory ammo I shoot is Fiocchi wadcutters and the same magtech hollow points you describe. I buy it when I see it just to get brass. Both brands have good brass that’s plenty durable.

 

[GEM]

I had two duds in two cylinders of Magtech LRN. The primers only had a pin prick of a dent. The gun had reliably fired hundreds of Federal 32 HR mag and hundreds of Fiocchi 32 SW Long FMJ and wadcutters. Just sayin'. Their primer dents were nice deep dimples.

 

[JERRY]

Here's some chronograph results. Skip to about 8 minute mark.

The AMAZING .327 Federal Magnum Cartridge Family (.32 S&W Long VS .32 H&R Magnum VS .327 Magnum)

Testing the compatible cartridge family that a .327 Federal Magnum revolver can fire. I am using the Ruger LCR 1.875" bbl for my tests. The ammunition used f...

youtu.be

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I read or heard somewhere that factory .32 S&W Long wadcutter ammo is often loaded relatively hot to reliably cycle semiauto match pistols.

 

[TTv2]

Idk if that Magtech jhp load is any hotter than normal, but the bullet being jacketed is not common for .32 S&W Lg and I would never shoot it in a top break revolver because of that.

 

[fxvr5]

Idk if that Magtech jhp load is any hotter than normal, but the bullet being jacketed is not common for .32 S&W Lg and I would never shoot it in a top break revolver because of that.

Please explain why not so others will understand why it might be an issue for them to consider - or not. Thanks.

 

[TTv2]

Please explain why not so others will understand why it might be an issue for them to consider - or not. Thanks.

Pressure may be in spec, but forcing a copper jacketed bullet down a bore is more stressful on the frame and forcing cone than just lead.

Top break designs aren't strong to begin with and the lockwork wasn't designed around the stress of jacketed bullets either.

Even small solid frames I'd be leery of feeding them a steady diet of any jacketed .32 S&W ammo.

 

[OS/N]

I usually load to point of aim and for tighter groups and don't worry about pressure so much as long as below the firearms design pressure. There are very few times that you will find that max loads shoot as well as mid range. 5% below max is typically about where things fall in line but not always.

 

[Monac]

Years ago I noticed that Fiocchi 32 Long 98gr FMJ rounds were loaded a bit hotter than other 32 Long ammo, including Fiocchi's own 32 Long wadcutters. I don't know if that's still true; this was about 20 years ago.

 

[Miami_JBT]

I would chrony them if possible, best way to know for sure.

If running very hot though I would worry about it damaging some of the old 32L only pistols, which would be a liability on the company.

For years the 32acp from the EU was hotter than the US version, so may be the same case here. Not sure.

I would think my S&W Mod. 31-1 would be able to digest it since they were built off J-Frames and not older I-Frames. The J-Frame is meant to handle the pressures of .38 Special and that blows .32 S&W Long out of the water.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Agree that a S&W J frame should be fine. I would be more worried about the H&R's and some of the imports made in 32L only.

 

[JERRY]

Idk if that Magtech jhp load is any hotter than normal, but the bullet being jacketed is not common for .32 S&W Lg and I would never shoot it in a top break revolver because of that.

I thought the old top break 32 revolvers were chambered for 32 s&w not 32 s&w long.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

There were the break open ones but also H&R made these (in long and 32 S&W), this seller happens to have an example of both;

H&R Model 732 Guardsman .32 S&W Long Revolver - 2.5" - Circa 1978 - Revolvers at GunBroker.com : 1037709908

Buy H&R Model 732 Guardsman .32 S&W Long Revolver - 2.5" - Circa 1978: GunBroker is the largest seller of Revolvers Pistols Guns & Firearms All: 1037709908

www.gunbroker.com

I would not hot rod those nor the break open ones.

 

[TTv2]

I thought the old top break 32 revolvers were chambered for 32 s&w not 32 s&w long.

If it's a 6 shot top break in .32, there's a 90% odds it's for .32 Long.

 

[CajunBass]

Years ago I noticed that Fiocchi 32 Long 98gr FMJ rounds were loaded a bit hotter than other 32 Long ammo, including Fiocchi's own 32 Long wadcutters. I don't know if that's still true; this was about 20 years ago.

I've got a 100 year old "I" frame 32 L Smith and Wesson. I picked up a box of Fiochi wadcutters just to say I've shot and liked it. A couple of days later, I stopped at the LGS and grabbed the last two boxes of 32 L (also Fiocchi, Heritage) they had. When I got them home I noticed they were 97 grain, FMJ bullets at a listed on the box velocity of 949 feet per second.

I don't know much about the 32 L or 32 anything else, but that seemed HOT to me for a 32 Long. I dropped an email to Fiocchi and asked what kind of pressure they operated at. The reply came back 14-14.5 K PSI. I found that 15K was the top for the SAAMI standards. I concluded the ammo was probably safe in my little "I" frame, but I didn't want to beat up the little gun, so I bought a Taurus 327 magnum. I figured that would be safe.

I don't have a chronograph, but when I took the Taurus to the range I fired a box of the Fiocchi 100 grain wadcutters, and a box of the FMJ ammo. Let me tell you there was a BIG difference in the recoil and the bark. That FMJ bullet felt a LOT hotter. The recoil wasn't "bad" but it was just that the wadcutter loads were so soft.

Checking around a little more, I found that the highly touted Buffalo Bore 100 grain 32 L wadcutter load is listed as a 100 grain wadcutter at 900 FPS, and will "remain within the SAAMI pressure limits of 15,000 PSI " (from Buffalo Bore's website). This Fiocchi was hanging right with the BB, just with a FMJ bullet, vs a wadcutter, at least both based on factory claims.

I'm planning to shoot some actual 327 magnum this weekend, but I might end up with some 32 L Buffalo Bore wadcutters too. I understand the magnums are pretty loud.

 

[Miami_JBT]

If it's a 6 shot top break in .32, there's a 90% odds it's for .32 Long.

You mean .32 Short. Since I've yet to find a top-break in .32 S&W Long. S&W never made a top-break in .32 S&W Long, not have I been able to find a Hopkins & Allen, H&R, and Iver Johnson chambered in .32 S&W Long.

 

[Miami_JBT]

I've got a 100 year old "I" frame 32 L Smith and Wesson. I picked up a box of Fiochi wadcutters just to say I've shot and liked it. A couple of days later, I stopped at the LGS and grabbed the last two boxes of 32 L (also Fiocchi, Heritage) they had. When I got them home I noticed they were 97 grain, FMJ bullets at a listed on the box velocity of 949 feet per second.

I don't know much about the 32 L or 32 anything else, but that seemed HOT to me for a 32 Long. I dropped an email to Fiocchi and asked what kind of pressure they operated at. The reply came back 14-14.5 K PSI. I found that 15K was the top for the SAAMI standards. I concluded the ammo was probably safe in my little "I" frame, but I didn't want to beat up the little gun, so I bought a Taurus 327 magnum. I figured that would be safe.

I don't have a chronograph, but when I took the Taurus to the range I fired a box of the Fiocchi 100 grain wadcutters, and a box of the FMJ ammo. Let me tell you there was a BIG difference in the recoil and the bark. That FMJ bullet felt a LOT hotter. The recoil wasn't "bad" but it was just that the wadcutter loads were so soft.

Checking around a little more, I found that the highly touted Buffalo Bore 100 grain 32 L wadcutter load is listed as a 100 grain wadcutter at 900 FPS, and will "remain within the SAAMI pressure limits of 15,000 PSI " (from Buffalo Bore's website). This Fiocchi was hanging right with the BB, just with a FMJ bullet, vs a wadcutter, at least both based on factory claims.

I'm planning to shoot some actual 327 magnum this weekend, but I might end up with some 32 L Buffalo Bore wadcutters too. I understand the magnums are pretty loud.

SAAMI specs are spec'd to account for 100 year older S&W I-Frames.

 

[CajunBass]

SAAMI specs are spec'd to account for 100 year older S&W I-Frames.

Work with me here....I'm trying to justify buying another gun.

Really I wasn't even sure about the numbers when I made the decision to not shoot it in the Smith and Wesson.

 

[TTv2]

You mean .32 Short. Since I've yet to find a top-break in .32 S&W Long. S&W never made a top-break in .32 S&W Long, not have I been able to find a Hopkins & Allen, H&R, and Iver Johnson chambered in .32 S&W Long.

Every 6 shot .32 top break H&R made is for .32 Long. Iver is likely the same.

Idk if H&A ever made a 6 shot top break.

 

[Monac]

You mean .32 Short. Since I've yet to find a top-break in .32 S&W Long. S&W never made a top-break in .32 S&W Long, not have I been able to find a Hopkins & Allen, H&R, and Iver Johnson chambered in .32 S&W Long.

I agreed with 32 Long and still do. I have a 6-shot Hopkins & Allen Safety Police in 32 S&W Long, and I used to have a similar top-break Harrington & Richardson chambered the same way. I agree that a number of 6-shot top breaks were made before S&W introduced 32 Long, and I have one of those - a Marlin Model 1887 that has chamber steps that will only allow it to accept 32 S&W (the Not Long kind). Also, H&R had its own 32 Long round, with a case very much like 32 S&W Long, but the 88 grain bullet of the Not-Long, and they made 6-shot top breaks for that for a while. I cannot remember how they were marked. H&R let it fade away once 32 S&W Long came out. (There may have been a similar Merwin & Hulbert round, but I'm just guessing there, and anyway, Merwin & Hulberts were not top-breaks.)

For some reason, the only Iver Johnson top breaks I can remember in 32 S&W Long are five shot guns. They may have done that for safety reasons, or to save money on tooling; I have no clue.

PS - Apparently I knew more about this subject 3 years ago. It is discussed in this 2021 thread, in particular in post #55, which is by me: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...volvers-and-steel.885703/page-3#post-11870840

 

[Monac]

I've got a 100 year old "I" frame 32 L Smith and Wesson. I picked up a box of Fiochi wadcutters just to say I've shot and liked it. A couple of days later, I stopped at the LGS and grabbed the last two boxes of 32 L (also Fiocchi, Heritage) they had. When I got them home I noticed they were 97 grain, FMJ bullets at a listed on the box velocity of 949 feet per second.

I don't know much about the 32 L or 32 anything else, but that seemed HOT to me for a 32 Long. I dropped an email to Fiocchi and asked what kind of pressure they operated at. The reply came back 14-14.5 K PSI. I found that 15K was the top for the SAAMI standards. I concluded the ammo was probably safe in my little "I" frame, but I didn't want to beat up the little gun, so I bought a Taurus 327 magnum. I figured that would be safe.

I don't have a chronograph, but when I took the Taurus to the range I fired a box of the Fiocchi 100 grain wadcutters, and a box of the FMJ ammo. Let me tell you there was a BIG difference in the recoil and the bark. That FMJ bullet felt a LOT hotter. The recoil wasn't "bad" but it was just that the wadcutter loads were so soft.

Checking around a little more, I found that the highly touted Buffalo Bore 100 grain 32 L wadcutter load is listed as a 100 grain wadcutter at 900 FPS, and will "remain within the SAAMI pressure limits of 15,000 PSI " (from Buffalo Bore's website). This Fiocchi was hanging right with the BB, just with a FMJ bullet, vs a wadcutter, at least both based on factory claims.

I'm planning to shoot some actual 327 magnum this weekend, but I might end up with some 32 L Buffalo Bore wadcutters too. I understand the magnums are pretty loud.

Thanks, Cajun Bass! I'm glad to know the Fiocchi FMJ rounds are still loaded that way. I've mentioned it before, but I think this is the first time someone has confirmed it.

 

[Mosin77]

32 “short” vs .32 s&w long in top breaks. Frankly I really don’t know what these guns were chambered for and am not sure it matters much these days. Almost every old one I’ve encountered (dozens if not into the hundreds) is loose, and many have broken extractor or trigger mechanisms. Given that they were generally all budget guns with minimum-acceptable engineering for longevity and robustness, I’d advise erring on the side of .32 “short” levels when loading, even if the cylinder theoretically accepts a .32 s&w long cartridge.