32 SWL Service Load
- Thread starter Johnm1
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fxvr5
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I don't know the exact answer, but a 1935 Remington Catalog for the 32 S&W Long has a 98 grain lead bullet at 820 and 790 fps and a 95 grain metal point bullet at 790 fps. These are from a 6" barrel.
The Colt New Police (Police Positive) load is a 100 grain lead bullet at 760 fps and a 98 grain lead or metal point bullet at 730 fps. These are from a 4" barrel.
The Colt New Police (Police Positive) load is a 100 grain lead bullet at 760 fps and a 98 grain lead or metal point bullet at 730 fps. These are from a 4" barrel.
Mr_Flintstone
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I don’t know, but Phillip Sharpe’s load data from 1937 might be a starting point. From what I have read, they used an Ideal 31357 100 gr RNFP.
fxvr5
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Looks like its 98 grain lead, and it hasn't changed much over the years.
https://www.midwayusa.com/32-s-and-w-long/br?cid=7505
https://www.midwayusa.com/32-s-and-w-long/br?cid=7505
Mr_Flintstone
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I found a nice article about loading the .32 Colt Police Positive Special.
http://www.gunblast.com/Cumpston_32Colt.htm
Exerpt...
http://www.gunblast.com/Cumpston_32Colt.htm
Exerpt...
Excellent article Mr. Flintstone (May I call you Fred ha). Thank you.
I will start with a 98-100 grain projectile around 800 FPS and see if I can tweak it to point of aim at 25 yards. If the 32 S&W Long is like the 38 Special I would assume it would be regulated to hit point of aim at 25 yards.
Reality is I’m unlikely to shoot at things farther than 50 feet.
Thanks again for the great information.
I will start with a 98-100 grain projectile around 800 FPS and see if I can tweak it to point of aim at 25 yards. If the 32 S&W Long is like the 38 Special I would assume it would be regulated to hit point of aim at 25 yards.
Reality is I’m unlikely to shoot at things farther than 50 feet.
Thanks again for the great information.
Mr_Flintstone
Member
I have a Charter Arms .32 H&R that shoots a couple inches low with 90 gr. Ultramax Cowboy Action ammo (~700 FPS). I didn’t think anything of it until I read this article. I’m guessing that .32 needs to run a little hotter with bullets lighter than 98 gr.
RealGun
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78 gr LRNFP from Missouri shoots dead on at 50 feet from my S&W 30-1. My heavier 32 bullets are used for 32 H&R and 327 Federal.
AZAndy
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My .32 Long revolvers are point-of-aim at 15 yards with 98-grain wadcutters. I use either 2.1 grains W231 or 2.5 grains Unique.
GooseGestapo
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A lighter bullet will need to be loaded SLOWER to raise poi. Has to do with muzzle rise due to recoil and time it takes bullet to exit the barrel.
A heavier bullet will raise bullet impact.
I’ve got a S&W Hand ejector w4”bbl. It will hold bottle cap size groups at 7yds with either Lyman 78gr RN, 90gr Lee TLSWC, 90gr Lee RN or 100gr Lee RN. I use 2.2gr of Bullseye for all. Shoots poa/poi with all.
Truly, an “elegant weapon from a more civilized age”!
A heavier bullet will raise bullet impact.
I’ve got a S&W Hand ejector w4”bbl. It will hold bottle cap size groups at 7yds with either Lyman 78gr RN, 90gr Lee TLSWC, 90gr Lee RN or 100gr Lee RN. I use 2.2gr of Bullseye for all. Shoots poa/poi with all.
Truly, an “elegant weapon from a more civilized age”!
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WestKentucky
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I did some digging a couple years ago and I just happened to lick up on some 78gr? LRN bullets which I found data for from the 30s. I didn’t have the right powders, but I was able to roughly recreate those loads. If your considering going that route do yourself a favor and skip the lightweight bullets in any variety. They are the reason a 32 gets a bad name because they have so little power. The 100+ gr dewc or RNFP are good.
RealGun
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Depends on the size of the gun. A target match 32 and a little Smith model 30 will do best with different bullets, just like a pocket 38 uses a lighter bullet than a duty size gun.
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