Loading 32 S&W

[Dewey 68]

I picked up a top break 32 S&W a while back that I'd like to reload for. With such a small load the margin for error is pretty low, so I don't trust my Lee Auto drum to throw such a small load consistently. Is there a powder measure that won't break the bank that will throw a load like 1.5 grains of Bullseye consistently, or should I be looking at a powder trickler and weigh every load?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Lee scoops (cheap) and weigh the loads is an option. Low cost at least and what I like to do unless I know I'm going to load a lot of something.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Try a spent 22 LR case.

 

[Col. Harrumph]

+1 on the Lee scoop set, although I don't trust the charge slider thingy it includes... pick a scoop and weigh what it throws. You might also consider the RCBS 'Little Dandy'. It has its drawbacks but is said to throw small charges consistently.

 

[Dewey 68]

Try a spent 22 LR case.

Was just reading about soldering a spent 22 LR case to a wire as a scoop and grinding it down to size. I like that idea.

 

[Highland Lofts]

Pick up a Hornady elctronic powder trickler for around $40. Set it on high and crank them 32 S&W rounds out plus you will love it for reloading other calibers.

 

[WestKentucky]

Skip the bullseye and load with a bulkier powder that is more forgiving, especially for an old top break. I like trail boss for mine, but it’s been a while since I saw any trail boss for sale.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

From what I recall, full load of Trail boss is almost exactly the same as 1.5 gr Bullseye under a 77 gr cast bullet. You can load .32 S&W for years on a pound of Bullseye though.

 

[Highland Lofts]

I use to use Trailboss for 38spl for my grandson when he was six yeers old.
Nice low recoil powder.

 

[rkittine]

I use Bullseye and WST in both of my .32 S&W Longs and have some Titewad, but haven't tried it yet.

Bob

 

[Dewey 68]

Skip the bullseye and load with a bulkier powder that is more forgiving, especially for an old top break. I like trail boss for mine, but it’s been a while since I saw any trail boss for sale.

I should be able to pick up a pound of Trail Boss....in 2024. I did see some Trail Boss loads over on Cast Boolits. If I ever run across some I'll pick it up. I see Trail Boss comes in 9 oz, not a pound. It must be VERY bulky.

 

[WestKentucky]

I should be able to pick up a pound of Trail Boss....in 2024. I did see some Trail Boss loads over on Cast Boolits. If I ever run across some I'll pick it up. I see Trail Boss comes in 9 oz, not a pound. It must be VERY bulky.

It is, and that’s why I like it in cartridges for fragile guns

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

Trail Boss is a very good powder for loading old cartridges with cast bullets. Mark where your bullet seats on the outside of a case, fill with TB to that location, and you have your max load. Weigh it, and multiply that amount by .7 and you have your minimum load. It meters pretty well in my cheap Lee Perfect Powder Measure, but then again, so does Bullseye (even at 1.5 gr). It isn’t very cost effective though.

 

[Walkalong]

N-310, AA #2, WST, all work well in .32 Long, no reason they wouldn't in .32 S&W.

Just watch the charge weights and set the measure so the heaviest charge it will throw in max or less.

This is where AA #2 shines, it meters nearly perfectly.

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

I had a hard time finding load data for .32 S&W. Here’s a list I came up with for .32 S&W data. Sources are listed. Double check all data before using. I made my best effort to not make mistakes copying the data, but I’m human.

 

[TTv2]

I have the Lee Perfect Powder measure (the cheapest manual measure Lee makes) and it throws small charges of Bullseye very consistently. It should be able to go down to 1gr, but I've never tried it. Looking at the load data above, I would be inclined to try Trail Boss instead. Who cares if it's not the most accurate load, this isn't a target revolver and I know that the PPM can throw 1.5gr of TB no problem and also very accurately.

 

[rfwobbly]

At less than 2gr per load, you could trickle everything.

 

[Dudedog]

This is where AA #2 shines, it meters nearly perfectly.

AA#2 meters great, so for charges the size you need for .32 it is an excellent choice!

Western does not list data for AA#2 in .32 but I emailed them about it once and the sent me some data. (which seems to be hiding now that I am looking for it)

 

[Dewey 68]

Looks like I underestimated the Lee Auto Drum measure. For giggles I set up the press for 32 S&W and filled the Auto Drum with Bullseye, and much to my surprise it was consistently throwing 1.1 grains with the occasional 1.2 grains. I'm still going to be on the lookout for some Trail Boss though.

 

[Sistema1927]

My Lee Auto-Disk powder measure is very consistent with Trail Boss. I will be loading up a bunch of .32 S&W Long with 98 grain wadcutters later today, throwing 2 gr. of TB. I will weigh the first throw and the last, but don't expect to see any variance.

 

[Patocazador]

I weigh each load and mainly use Unique.

 

[garandsrus]

Is your gun rated for smokeless powder? I bought an Iver Johnson in 32 S&W break top but it is from the black powder era so that is what I loaded. I used a Lee dipper for the powder and it worked well.

I used 32 S&W Long dies to load 32 S&W. I think I had to shorten the seating die, but don’t remember for sure. The die still works well for 32 S&W Long. I used the same dies for 32 ACP.