.32 S&W Long loads?

[Fotis]

I have a SW 31-1 snubby like new condition, and I want to load for it. I do have a bunch of 95 gr Cast performance flat point bullets I bought for it.
Anyone have a load for this thing. I have heard 3 gr of 231 works great but that is pretty much it.

[JoeJames]

data from my S&W 4" Model 631 32 H&R Magnum, but shooting 32 S&W Long loads with 98 grain lead swc's:
2.3 grains Win 231 = 634, 630, and 668 fps
2.4 grains Win 231 = 653, 724, and 667 fps
2.0 grains Bullseye = 659, 642, and 665 fps
2.1 grains Bullseye = 694, 681, and 689 fps
2.2 grains Bullseye = 625, 757, and 760 fps

Out of S&W Hand ejector, 5th change same bullet 98 gr. swc:
2.1 grains Bullseye = 636, 641, and 672 fps
2.2 grains Bullseye = 702, 741, and 721 fps

[JoeJames]

data from my S&W 4" Model 631 32 H&R Magnum, but shooting 32 S&W Long loads with 98 grain lead swc's:
2.3 grains Win 231 = 634, 630, and 668 fps
2.4 grains Win 231 = 653, 724, and 667 fps
2.0 grains Bullseye = 659, 642, and 665 fps
2.1 grains Bullseye = 694, 681, and 689 fps
2.2 grains Bullseye = 625, 757, and 760 fps

Out of S&W Hand ejector, 5th change same bullet 98 gr. swc:
2.1 grains Bullseye = 636, 641, and 672 fps
2.2 grains Bullseye = 702, 741, and 721 fps

And from various reloading manuals, and a good example of why I use a chronograph:

Win 231 *From the manuals:
32 S&W Long - Winchester 231
1. Hornady 2018
90 grain SWC
2.3 gr. = 650 fps
2.5 gr. = 700 fps
2. Lyman
90 grain SWC
2.0 gr. = 689 fps
2.3 gr. = 777 fps
3. NRA Handloading
98 grain SWC
2.4 grains = 765 fps

[Outpost75]

Thanks for posting. Good data on milder loads for the older revolvers.

[murf205]

Fotis, show us a pic of this little beauty. We love gun porn.

[Fotis]

Ok

[RED BEAR]

Now thats a nice looking pistol.

[Larry Gibson]

Fotis

Sweet looking little S&W!

In my 3" M30 in 32 S&WL I load 2.1 gr Bullseye over the Speer 98 gr HBWC in R-P cases with a WSP primer. They run 730 fps with excellent accuracy. Under the Lee TL314-90-SWC (or the Hornady 90 gr LSWC) I load 2.7 gr of Bullseye in R-P cases with WSP primers. They run 890 fps with exceptional accuracy also.

Both these loads are well under the SAAMI Map of 15,000 psi for the S&WL cartridge. Interesting to note that SAAMI list that MAP in deference to the semi auto match pistols made for it. The MAP for the 32 S&W is 17,000 psi......... Many erroneously think shooting the 32 S&W is "safer" to shoot in older S&W 32Ls.......perhaps it's not. One of these days I'll work up 32 S&WL loads using the Contender test barrel and Oehler M43 to measure the psi up to 17,000 psi.

Attachment 239213

[psweigle]

I use 2.1 grains of bullseye with 98 grain cast round nose.

[GhostHawk]

I'm using the Lee .314 90 gr tumble lubed truncated cone over 2 grains of Red Dot in my H&R 2.5" double action and my Ruger NM Single Six in .32H&R mag.

Shoots good in both, easy on the hands. About like shooting .22lr.

[cold1]

From the speed #9 manual

98gr cast rn

Unique 3.5gr 942fps
Red dot 2.8gr 912 fps
Green dot 2.9gr 907 fps

Test gun was a S&W 31

Speer#9 is copy righted in 1974.

Speer #11 in the section on the cartridge info for 32swl, "load data in this manual doesn't exceed the 12000 cup saami max. As you can see this makes an impotent cartridge out of it". None of the loads from Speer #9 appear in Speer #11.

[Guesser]

My 31-1, 30-1 and Colt PP 32 all get 95-98 gr. bullet over 2.9 gr. of Trail Boss or 2.5 gr. of Bullseye

[Fotis]

Great. Thanks for your help

[Green Frog]

Excellent thread. Every time anyone starts talking about any of the 32s on this forum, the responses show that interest in the caliber (or should I say “family of calibers?”) is far in excess of current production of revolvers and ammo in 32.

You can bet I’ll be following this thread closely and taking notes!

Froggie

[Outpost75]

This data from The Fouling Shot

.32 S&W Long Factory Vs. Handloads In Modern Revolvers and Rifle

Remington cases, Federal 200 primers in all handloads:

Ammo Type_______________Colt DS 2”_______Colt PP 4”________H&R Bunny Gun 18”

PMC 98 LRN factory_________687, 13 Sd______797, 17Sd________945, 16 Sd
Highest velocity factory load__103 ft-lbs._______138 ft.lbs.________194 ft.-lbs.

Remington 98 LRN factory____645, 20 Sd______729, 12 Sd_______899, 11 Sd

Western 98 LRN (1960s)_____643, 19 Sd______658, 22 Sd_______912, 17 Sd

Privi-Partisan 98 LRN________656, 28 Sd______675, 11 Sd_______917, 21 Sd

Accurate 31-087T, 2.5 BE____662, 16 Sd______780, 22 Sd_______1000, 15 Sd

Accurate 31-090B, 2.5 BE____731, 26 Sd______773, 11 Sd_______1066, 16 Sd

Acc. 31-090B, 5.6 #2400____718, 43 Sd______745, 56 Sd_______1094, 36 Sd

Accurate 31-114D, 2.5 BE____746, 9 Sd________795, 15 Sd________947, 11 Sd
Max. for pre-1960 revolvers__141ft.-lbs.________160 ft.-lbs.________227 ft.-lbs.

Accurate 31-134D, 6.3 #2400__828, 19 Sd_______913, 16 Sd________1221, 16 Sd
.32 H&R Mag. Revolvers Only!__204 ft.-lbs._______248 ft.-lbs.________443 ft.-lbs.!
+P .32 S&W Long Load for use in .32 H&R Magnum revolvers only. Payload and velocity equal .38 Special +P. DO NOT EXCEED! STOP right here! Very accurate in rook rifle!
__________________________________________________ ____________________

[RED BEAR]

I am a 32 nut just love them.

[Green Frog]

[QUOTE=cold1;4618188]From the speed #9 manual

98gr cast rn

Unique 3.5gr 942fps
Red dot 2.8gr 912 fps
Green dot 2.9gr 907 fps

Test gun was a S&W 31

Speer#9 is copy righted in 1974.

Speer #11 in the section on the cartridge info for 32swl, "load data in this manual doesn't exceed the 12000 cup saami max. As you can see this makes an impotent cartridge out of it". None of the loads from Speer #9 appear in Speer #11

Can you explain this please? Are you (or was Speer?) saying that these loads from #9 were above the 12 000 CUP standard and the #11 deleted them, or that they offered lowered charges in their suggestions, or what? Unfortunately my Speer manuals are packed away from a move, so I can't read them for context. I'd really like a good Green Dot load for a SWC around 100 gr+/- and it looked like that would be a good starting point. I've got a BUNCH of Green Dot for 20 ga shotgun loads.

Froggie

[RED BEAR]

Those loads from speer #9 seem a bit above anything that is in any of my manuals. Thats real close to 32 hr levels. I have noticed the newer manuals are milder than some of the older ones i have heard they changed the way that measurements are taken.

[Outpost75]

Those loads from speer #9 seem a bit above anything that is in any of my manuals. Thats real close to 32 hr levels. I have noticed the newer manuals are milder than some of the older ones i have heard they changed the way that measurements are taken.

I think it more likely that many Speer loads before No. 11 were not pressure tested, but that they relied on unreliable, subjective pressure signs like extraction effort and those loads were ALWAYS too hot.

[Green Frog]

Senor 75, How much do you calculate I would need to back off from that 2.9 gr Green Dot load to start working on a starting load? I'm thinking about my RNHP at 105 and dropping back to about 2.4 or 2.5 to start... this for my little I-frame snubbie (post-War) and of course my K-32 and 327. Obviously the last of these will eat them safely, so I guess it becomes a test mule then I work from there. Does that sound like a reasonable plan of action?

Froggie