.32 s&w

[BLTsandwedge]

Tried a search to source reloading data using the above term...no results, yet I know we've discussed this elephant-killer within the last 10 years. So, my apologies for being redundant.

Yesterday I bought a new toy at the local gun show- an H&R hammerless in .32 S&W. I've a collection of various break-tops; this one was interesting not because it's rare, but because it is about 99%. The serial # suggests 1920's manufacture. Anyway, I found exactly 1 load in picking through various websites- 1.4g W231 under Lyman's #311252 (76g) for an MV of around 550-575fps (that's a crushing 56 ft-lbs!) Will someone be good enough to look at his older manual collection to see if there are any other loads floating out there? No need to try and 'up' the velocity....no point.

Many thanks.....

[45 2.1]

Same boolit:
Bullseye...1.1gr. = 471, 1.5gr. max. = 626
Red Dot...1,4gr. = 608, 1.9gr. max. = 736
Unique... 1.6gr. = 511, 2.6gr. max. =760
Listed accuracy load... Red Dot, 1.9gr. 736
Source: Lyman #45 manual

[scottfire1957]

I can't remember where on this site I saw it, but somebody linked a collection of old manuals a few days ago. You might look for that. If I find it, I'll link it for you.

[BLTsandwedge]

Same boolit:
Bullseye...1.1gr. = 471, 1.5gr. max. = 626
Red Dot...1,4gr. = 608, 1.9gr. max. = 736
Unique... 1.6gr. = 511, 2.6gr. max. =760
Listed accuracy load... Red Dot, 1.9gr. 736
Source: Lyman #45 manual

Many thanks!

[Dale53]

BLT;
The Lyman Cast Bullet handbook has a number of loads with this caution : in all top break revolvers, ONLY use the starting loads as they can't handle the max loads.

FWIW
Dale53

[scottfire1957]

Ok, if you'll do a search for "old manuals," you will find that link I bet.

[woody1]

There's some old Lyman manuals at Castpics. Take a look. By-the-way Lyman lists 528 fps as the factory load velocity they got from a 4" 32 S&W.

[pworley1]

http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php/reloaders-reference/cast-bullet-data-lookup

[trapper9260]

If you do not mind reprints of old manuals go to this web site www.cornelpubs.com (http://www.cornelpubs.com) It have alot for the old lyman old manual and also other like Idea and others. I have got the reprint of lyman #2 and working on getting Lyman #1 also.

[oldpapps]

Maybe a little help.

Case length - .600 inch
Lyman shell holder # 9

#311252 - 77 gr, .860" OAL

Powder - Staring - Velocity - MAX - Velocity
700X - 1.3 - 598 - 1.8 - 758
PB - 1.4 - 523 - 2.1 - 803
Bullseye - 1.1 - 478 - 1.5 - 578
Red Dot - 1.4 - 578 - 1.9 - 763
Green Dot - 1.5 - 553 - 2.0 - 723
Unique - 1.6 - 493 - 2.5 - 743
231 - 1.9 - 641 - 2.5 - 800
HP38 - 1.4 - 642 - 2.2 - 821
AL-120 - 1.3 - 537 - 1.8 - 721

The above data is what is listed in LYMAN CAST BULLET HANDBOOK, THIRD EDITION, dated 1980.

I find it interesting that 231 and HP38 are so much different.

I have a S&W Topbreak in .32 S&W. I have one box of 50 RP factory loads with 5 round fired, the empty brass is in the box. I proved it old beast worked, cleaned it up and packed it away only to look at it from time to time :)

Hope this helped some.

Enjoy,

OSOK

[richhodg66]

I tried that starting load of 1.1 grains of Bullseye in an old Iver Johnson not long ago and it worked fine with no trouble signs. The little gun shot better than I would have guessed. I have a thing for top break revolvers and always wanted one, but they never showed up in decent shape and priced reasonably, found that one and had to have it. Fun little guns, but I sure wouldn't want to stake my life on one.

[BLTsandwedge]

You guys are cool...thank you very much. We agree that the top-breaks aren't the strongest. I've been reloading for .32 Long and Magnum (I have a really unfortunate example of H&R's 586 with it's 3 to 4 step trigger). I've never looked at the small loads. Some moves ago (from PA to WA to CA and back to PA...now to AZ...) I lost my old Lyman books. I need to find copies as I love all the old manuals. I'll stick with my S&W 19 for CCW...it fits nicely in my computer bag...but so does my 629. Choices, choices...but this .32 is just for the collection (I needed office space with a good business address- a 'good business address' does not equate to a 'safe business address').

Again folks, thank you! This little H&R will be a nice wintertime distraction.

[richhodg66]

For those tiny charges of Bullseye, I was told by quite a few people a guy had to make a small dipper from a .22 short case as most measures wouldn't do it. I rely on a RCBS Lil Dandy for 98% of my handgun loading, and they don't make a rotor that would do it.

I was pleasantly surprised to find an old Lyman 55 I have would very consistently throw charges of Bullseye as light as 1.1 grains. I guess my point is, before you overthink things like I did, try the obvious.

Your dies may not be able to screw down far enough to roll crimp the shorter cases, but it may not matter. Seems like I really didn't even try to crimp and it worked OK as is.

[Harry O]

No need to try and 'up' the velocity....no point.

Many thanks.....

It is very important not to up the velocity in a top break gun. Many, many years ago, I had a top break "suicide special" or "Saturday-night special" in .38S&W. Using factory ammo, I learned that it occasionally turned into a semi-automatic. Meaning when I fired it, it opened itself and ejected the empty case up an over my head. I imagine that higher power loads would have done it every time.T

he second time that happened, I took apart the gun. I did not want to take a chance it would end up putting my eye out. The gun was surprising complicated and I never did get it back together again.

[leadman]

I use candle wax in the Lee Pro measure disks to reduce charges to what I need. My friend does the same with the rotors for his measure. I use white out to mark the hole with the candle wax so I can identify it later.

I also have an old (approx. 1906) H&R premier top break with a 6" barrel. The cylinder doesn't rotate fully sometimes so will have to investigate that at some point.

[Rizzo]

FWIW, My wife inherited her grandfathers H&A top break 32 S&W revolver and when I started looking for ammo, loads, etc. I discovered that it was a black powder revolver. It came with 5-6 rounds of 32 S&W ammo that was all oxidized but looked like a "conventional" round.
Lots of advise to not use smokeless powder charges in it is what I read.
Just a "Heads Up".

[BLTsandwedge]

FWIW, My wife inherited her grandfathers H&A top break 32 S&W revolver and when I started looking for ammo, loads, etc. I discovered that it was a black powder revolver. It came with 5-6 rounds of 32 S&W ammo that was all oxidized but looked like a "conventional" round.
Lots of advise to not use smokeless powder charges in it is what I read.
Just a "Heads Up".

Right you are!

I've been collecting these pieces for a wile now. My CCW is actually a .38S&W solid frame Colt Police Positive circa 1930. I love it- with a 128g boolit (a Lyman 356242 that I Beagled to drop at .363"and then sized to .361"- will weigh in at 128g with straight WW) it will penetrate two 2"x4" hardwood boards at 7 yards. Reason for the carry: I rented the only office space I could afford- a building that has reeeely thin walls from one office to the next....so penetration is a big deal to me. But CCW calibers is a different topic!

The short: These relatively old pistols with break-top design are good for fun and collecting. I would not dream of using the subject revolver (the .32 S&W 3" break-top revolver) for anything except entertainment (again I reiterate the whopping 53 ft-lbs noted in my first post). I think the light charges as described by the gents in earlier posts (the starting loads) are good for entertainment IF you know what you are doing and your revolver is in near-new condition. Even with black powder, one can experience the same thing that Harry O did. No one need loose an eye or worse just to get to shoot one of these revolvers. You've GOT to know what you are doing- no one here is responsible for an individual's behavior.

One last note to all....Beagling really does work. Search this site for more info.

Best regards.........

[tsubaki]

I have no idea where I got the data from but I had been reloading a 5 shot hammerless breaktop Hopkins & Allen 32s&w with 1.6gr of Red Dot pushing a 90gr SWC.
Got rid of the revolver and the loaded ammo a couple of years ago.

[35remington]

No need for candle wax to modify Lee disks. Simply get the Micro disk kit. This dispenses suitably light charges.

[BLTsandwedge]

Range report! (as in my 50' basement range...). The .32 S&W: both a factory load (88g LRN from Remington) and my own load (#311252, WW & sized to .311" over 1.4g W231) out of the 3" BBL will rip through four pieces of good carpet and make a dent in a soft pine board before falling to the floor...at 7 yards. Unbelievable stopping power! If I get mice in my house like last winter, they're toast. Call me the Rodentator......'The Mouse that Roared' has no chance for victory here! Why I'll go up one side and down another.......................and then I'll reeely do something......