New reloader with a question re wadcutters in the 32 S&W long

[Thecrazedorganist]

My wife and I picked up a pair of Rough Riders in .32 H&R magnum for SASS, and owing to the availability of .32 S&W long brass and .312" bullets we've opted to load those instead of the slightly longer cases.

I am wondering if the following load would be safe given that the gun is built to handle 32 H&R magnum pressures (I've searched this forum and the internet high and low for an answer, I swear):

1.5 grains of IMR's Trail Boss (picked that because it's the minimum load suggested for a 90 grain semi-wadcutter)

100gr .312" hard cast DEWC

.920" C.O.L.


Another possible load would be 1.5 grains of Bullseye with the above.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Walkalong]

You will be fine with either load. Do not compress Trail Boss. It is funny with plated or jacketed, but it loves lead bullets. Bullseye will be the hotter of the two assuming 1.5 grs of each.

 

[Slamfire]

Don't know anything about Trail Boss, but a load of 1.5 grains Bullseye is a very mild load in a 32 S&W Long case.

I don't have a 32 H&R Magnum, but I do have a vintage S&W revolver in 32 S&W Long. After testing factory Aquila ammo, I came to the conclusion that 2.3 grains of Bullseye behind a 100 gr L was a factory equivalent.



S&W No. 3 Handejector 3.25" barrel

98 LRN Aguila Factory Ammo 9-Oct-05
T = 64 °F
Ave Vel = 654.5
Std Dev = 19.64
ES = 70.29
High = 682
Low = 612
N = 28

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


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

 

[Walkalong]

Here is my .32 Long, and my .32 Mag.

2.3 Grs N310 or 2.8 Grs AA #2 shoot pretty well with a Berrys 90 RN (around 700 FPS), but they quit making it. I bought some Berrys 83 Gr HBWC's, but haven't tried them in .32 Long yet (or .32 Mag), just .32-20.

As Slamfire posted, your loads are light. Please check manuals and be careful before using mine. I don't have data to back them up, just case/primer signs and velocity readings.

 

[MMCSRET]

I'm loading the Hornady 90 gr. HBWC over 1.8 gr. AA#2 in 32 Long for use in Colt & S&W revolvers, both old and newer. Haven't tried Trail Boss, maybe I should.

 

[Publius1688]

1.7 grains of Bullseye in my S&W .32 Long revolver, pushing 90 grain lead Hornady Wadcutter.
FYI- 1.5 is just too mild- I agree with the other guys. 1.7 is my minimum load.

 

[Thecrazedorganist]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. It looks like Trail Boss is best suited for longer cases like the 32 h&r mag. I could only fit 1.7 grains in without the bullet touching the powder and I'm not eager to find out what happens when the stuff is compressed.

I've loaded 18 cases with Bullseye at 1.5, 1.7, and 1.9 grains. Are six cases of each load an acceptable sample size?

 

[Walkalong]

Six is fine while working up. I usually load 12 as I work up because I will chrono six with the powder back and six with the powder forward. When I find something with potential I will load a bigger sample to shoot. It that looks good, I'll load an even bigger batch. If it passes the test and gets at least three stars in my load book, it might get loaded in large quantities someday.

Example 1 (3 Stars)

4.0 Grs Clays with a WSP and a Berrys 125 Gr TrFP in .357 brass @ 1.560


Example 2 (4 Stars)

5.7 Grs N320 with a WLP and a Berrys 185 Gr SWC @ 1.190 in .45 ACP.

Two of my proven loads that get loaded in quantity to take out shooting when I am playing and not testing.

Consult load books before using.