King of the 32s?

[Green Frog]

Dale53 always keeps his Model 631 locked up when I come to visit... HMMMM, I wonder if he’s afraid it might follow me home! He’s right, of course, and I fear I’ll never find one of my own, at least not one I could ever afford. The 327 goes well in my custom K-frame stainless, but Dale53 has just about convinced me that the J-frame and the 32 H&R are also just about a perfect fit.

Froggie

[wildcatter]

I think the 140 grain is the sweet spot for the longer cylinder revolvers like the GP, Blackhawk, FA, that can take advantage of these long nosed 140 grain bullets. allowing less pressure by allowing more powder space. Plus a need for the longer barrels available with these longer chamber cylinders.

I screwed up and got this 314-140 mold thinking 1300 fps would be stretching it, so went with the plain base. Now I am working with Mihec to get it in a gas check version. I had to go with PB checks which are more of a pain, and tend to flatten the nose some with the more pressure to seat them in HP version.

Just no way to get these numbers with the shorter cylinders in the single sevens and SP's or with shorter barrels, and the only reason I got this caliber was small game with the reduced loads in the 32 long brass, and step'n it up to reach out for vermin! I am very happy I went with the GP;s longer barrel and full lug heft.

[sixshot]

Didn't see my vote up there for the 32 maggie?

Dick

[Thundarstick]

Are you referring to the 32 H&R magnum?

I was on gun broker earlier and you'd think Ruger just came out with the 32H&R Bisley there are so many of them for sale! I wonder if it's because of the 327FM Bisley becoming available?

[megasupermagnum]

I think the 140 grain is the sweet spot for the longer cylinder revolvers like the GP, Blackhawk, FA, that can take advantage of these long nosed 140 grain bullets. allowing less pressure by allowing more powder space. Plus a need for the longer barrels available with these longer chamber cylinders.

I screwed up and got this 314-140 mold thinking 1300 fps would be stretching it, so went with the plain base. Now I am working with Mihec to get it in a gas check version. I had to go with PB checks which are more of a pain, and tend to flatten the nose some with the more pressure to seat them in HP version.

Just no way to get these numbers with the shorter cylinders in the single sevens and SP's or with shorter barrels, and the only reason I got this caliber was small game with the reduced loads in the 32 long brass, and step'n it up to reach out for vermin! I am very happy I went with the GP;s longer barrel and full lug heft.

Did accuracy fall off, or what was the problem with plain base?

[Dale53]

Brian Pearce's article in the Handloader #312 on page 14 in "Bullets and Brass" covers the problems with the .327 wide velocity swings.

FWIW
Dale53

[megasupermagnum]

I have an online subscription, but I can't get #312. I can get October 2017 and older, and the newest one, but not March. Any chance you would post the article here?

[Dale53]

mega;
Here is a link to my Dropbox and the article:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uw05shfvbz...reads.pdf?dl=0

Dale53

[megasupermagnum]

mega;
Here is a link to my Dropbox and the article:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/uw05shfvbz...reads.pdf?dl=0

Dale53

Thank you.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I can say I have not seen anything like that myself. I've seen one isolated load that produced EV's of over 150 fps, but nothing even close to the claimed over 250 fps. At that point I'd consider it a squib. Certainly nothing with H110, AA #9 or Lil' Gun. I'm not saying he is making things up, but that article I posted earlier (also by Pearce), there is a section where he tries 3 different primers with a number of mid-slow powders. Not a single load has over 94 FPS extreme spread, and plenty are in the 30's. I'd say my experiences mirror those results, and this myth of huge velocity swings is unfounded.

In voting for the so called king of 32's, I can see your point on 32 H&R magnum. I'd say the 327 federal is more of a mini 454 Casull, rather than a 357 magnum. Problems like slightly oversized chambers (or undersized brass), poor brass, and poor loads are really exaggerated once you get up to that 45k PSI.

[dragon813gt]

Now I have to chronograph my 327 Federal loads. I developed them before I bought a chronograph. It sure doesn’t seem like I was experiencing ES like that. The bullets hit the target where I was aiming which is the most important part. But now I’m wondering how my loads perform. I use one powder and one primer so it shouldn’t take long to test it.

[Outpost75]

I can't see that the .327 should be any more trouble to loads for and get good ballistic uniformity than for the .32-20 on the low end, or .30 M1 Carbine on the high end. Many people try to use powders which are unsuited for the conditions of loading. I have found that AutoComp does very well both in mild loads suited for the .32-20 Colt Police Positive as well as for higher velocity loads in the Ruger .30 Carbine Blackhawk and TT33 in 7.62x25. Your mileage may vary, but these are some loads in those various cartridges which work for me:

Standard Pressure .32-20 Loads for Rifle or Revolver

Bullet, Little Dandy#, Pdr. Chg.____Colt Police Positive 5”______Savage Sporter 25”

Rem-UMC 100-grain lead
Kleanbore “Dogbone” box 1930s___898, 44 Sd, 116 ES__________1302, 15 SD, 38 ES

Peters 100-grain softpoint
Kings Mills, Ohio 1940s__________870, 28, 71________________1150, 44, 137

Remington .311” 100-grain JSP___930 fps, 16 Sd, 45 ES________1230 fps, 26 Sd, 79 ES
LD#4, 4.9 grains AutoComp

Accurate 31-105T

LD#3, 4.5 grains AutoComp________912 fps, 19 Sd, 53 ES _______1260 fps, 21 Sd, 55 ES

LD#4, 4.9 grains AutoComp________ 943 fps, 32 Sd, 71 ES_______1315 fps, 32 Sd, 118 ES

Cast Bullet Loads in Ruger Blackhawk Revolver and US .30 Caliber M1 Carbine

Ammunition__________Ruger 7-1/2”___________US M1 Carbine 18”

WCC44 Ball M1_______1527, 21Sd, 58ES________1960, 23, 89

Accurate 31-087B
7.4 grs. AutoComp____1502 fps, 19, 52 _________1759 fps, 5 Sd, 23 ES

Accurate 31-100T
7.4 grs. AutoComp_____1527, 11, 29___________1692, 16, 54 Most accurate REVOLVER load

Accurate 31-120TG
7.4 grs. AutoComp_____1313, 33, 84__________1560, 15, 57

Velocity Test Data for 7.62x25 in TT33 - Handloads in Starline cases with CCI500 primers

Ammunition Description___________Vel@15ft., Sd, ES n=10
____________________________________TT33, 4.6”
Romanian Type P Ball, Factory 22, 1984____1461 fps, 27 Sd, 76ES

Yugoslav PPU Ball,_____________________1310, 26 Sd, 66ES

Hornady 86-grain SP, 7.4 grs. AutoComp___1353, 20, 71

Accurate 31-100T, 7.4 grs. AutoComp_____1450, 16, 50

[9.3X62AL]

A post-war 32 S&W Long can do everything I want a 32 caliber revolver to do. I have examples here of all 4 calibers listed, but most of the loading I do in 32 H&R and 327 shoot 100 grain SWCs in the 850-1000 FPS range--a thing the 32 Long can manage safely in a Colt or S&W so chambered. The 32/20 gets 115-120 grain bullets in the 800-900 FPS range.

[cwheel]

I'm with Outpost75 and prefer my old flatside 1903 32 auto. Not a powerhouse, but sure a joy to carry. If you are facing larger critters, gun requirements should be bigger than a 32 anyway.
Chris

[Earlwb]

They likely made more handguns that fired the 7.62x25 cartridge than all of the others combined. With a hollow point bullet or lead soft point bullet it might have been a game changer. The standard FMJ bullet could easily penetrate most bullet proof vests but it only made nasty little holes in people. With a good bullet and that high muzzle velocity it would have good stopping capability.

Also the .32 ACP probably had more handguns made for it than the other cartridges made for revolvers too.

[Dale53]

Al;
Again, we are on the same page. Now THAT’S downright scary!

Dale53

[9.3X62AL]

Al;
Again, we are on the same page. Now THAT’S downright scary!

Dale53

HA HA HA!

Now, most of us with one of the 327 Federals just have to take it out with the ear-splitter loads at least once. Marie and I did last winter, and got that nonsense driven right out of our heads. The SP-101 x 4.2" is just a short-barreled 30 Carbine Blackhawk, as far as report volume is concerned. It doesn't buck much when fired, but it might set off earthquakes in fault zones--so be careful.

The RCBS 32-98 SWC is just such an accurate bullet. Run that casting at 900 FPS and no small game animal or varmint will go far. These loads are far superior to any 22 LR bullet, even a rifle-fired CCI SGB. The little 32 bullet just hits harder and better.

[Dale53]

HA HA HA!

Now, most of us with one of the 327 Federals just have to take it out with the ear-splitter loads at least once. Marie and I did last winter, and got that nonsense driven right out of our heads. The SP-101 x 4.2" is just a short-barreled 30 Carbine Blackhawk, as far as report volume is concerned. It doesn't buck much when fired, but it might set off earthquakes in fault zones--so be careful.

The RCBS 32-98 SWC is just such an accurate bullet. Run that casting at 900 FPS and no small game animal or varmint will go far. These loads are far superior to any 22 LR bullet, even a rifle-fired CCI SGB. The little 32 bullet just hits harder and better.

That squares with my personal experience, too. I got off the .22 rimfire for field use when I was a young adult. I have never been disappointed with a proper small game load in my .32's and I used them a lot for that purpose.

FWIW
Dale53

[Thundarstick]

Rimfire only, if you want to stay on the side of the game laws here! I guess it's to keep some schmuck from shooting into the trees with a 30-30 or 223?

[JoeJames]

Did some shooting on Saturday at 15 yards off porch steps while my right eye is still clear. Just mostly to verify that the 2 grain bullseye load under a 98 grain lead swc and average velocity 660 fps, is to point of aim with the fixed sights. I have tried 2.1 grains of bullseye average = 690 fps, and 2.2 grains of bullseye average = 750 fps, and 2.3 grains win 231 average = 640 fps, 2.4 grains win 231 average = 680 fps. In dealing with fixed sights it appears the 2.0 grain bullseye load is best for my S&W handejector. On an earlier paper target off a pistol rest it appeared to be in there, but wanted to try it in a less than formal setting with a bottom side facing 4" cashew nut can as the target, trying to approximate field conditions. Note the vertical string which I ascribe to the tiny sights on it. The two larger holes = two rounds apiece.

[cwlongshot]

32/20 for handgun and rifle. For over 100 yrs.

100%!

The rest are Johnny come latelys!

LOVE my 32-20's!

I had a SMLE bbl added to a H&R single shot by a friend over on GB forums and its a shooter with the bigger 150g+ boolits! My orig Colt SA in 32-20 is a cherished family member!!