32 Long Load Request

[Oregon_Dan]

I recently purchased a S&W K frame 32 Long (it's in transit) and I am seeking information from anyone who has experience loading this cartridge. It will be used for varmints, small game and plinking, not necessarily in that order. What cast bullets worked best for you? Any load data you would like to share? I realize that most published data is written with an eye toward non-solid frame guns. While I am not interested in making this into a 32 H&R, or a 327 Federal, flattening the trajectory a bit would be a good thing!

Any help, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Dan

[rintinglen]

RCBS 32-98 SWC, crimped in the crimp groove over 2.2-2.5 Bullseye, or 2.7 WW-231. The second load is my favorite.

[Outpost75]

These data from Larry Gibson. Pressures measured in his 10 inch Contender pistol chambered in .32 H&R Mag. with Oehler 43 PBL. R-P .32 S&W Long cases with Winchester small pistol primers except where noted. Lyman 116-grain #311008 sized .312 roll crimped at 1.257" OAL.

Alliant Bullseye

Start load 2.3 grains, 863 fps, 7 Sd, 14,900 psi, 600 Sd
Recommended 2.5 BE 908 fps, 14 Sd, 15,900 psi, 1,500 Sd
Repeat CCI 500, 2.5 BE 902 fps, 10 Sd, 15,500 psi, 500 Sd
Do Not Exceed 3.0 BE 1028 fps, 12 Sd, 20,300 psi, 700 Sd

Alliant Unique Powder

Start 2.5 grs. Unique , 849 fps, 21 Sd, 13,600 psi, 600 Sd
Max. Pre-WW2 2.8 Uniq. 886 fps, 19 Sd, 14,100 psi, 500 Sd
Repeat CCI 500, 2.8 Uniq. 886 fps, 22 Sd, 14,500 psi, 900 Sd
Recommend 3.0 Unique 951 fps, 18 Sd, 16,300 psi, 800 Sd
Do Not Exceed 3.5 Uniq. 1062 fps, 15 Sd, 21,400 psi, 1500 Sd

Revolver velocity will be about 100 fps less.

[MrWolf]

These data from Larry Gibson. Pressures measured in his 10 inch Contender pistol chambered in .32 H&R Mag. with Oehler 43 PBL. R-P .32 S&W Long cases with Winchester small pistol primers except where noted. Lyman 116-grain #311008 sized .312 roll crimped at 1.257" OAL.

Alliant Bullseye

Start load 2.3 grains, 863 fps, 7 Sd, 14,900 psi, 600 Sd
Recommended 2.5 BE 908 fps, 14 Sd, 15,900 psi, 1,500 Sd
Repeat CCI 500, 2.5 BE 902 fps, 10 Sd, 15,500 psi, 500 Sd
Do Not Exceed 3.0 BE 1028 fps, 12 Sd, 20,300 psi, 700 Sd

Alliant Unique Powder

Start 2.5 grs. Unique , 849 fps, 21 Sd, 13,600 psi, 600 Sd
Max. Pre-WW2 2.8 Uniq. 886 fps, 19 Sd, 14,100 psi, 500 Sd
Repeat CCI 500, 2.8 Uniq. 886 fps, 22 Sd, 14,500 psi, 900 Sd
Recommend 3.0 Unique 951 fps, 18 Sd, 16,300 psi, 800 Sd
Do Not Exceed 3.5 Uniq. 1062 fps, 15 Sd, 21,400 psi, 1500 Sd

Revolver velocity will be about 100 fps less.

Please be careful as there is a difference between the 32 long colt and the 32S&W and 32 H&R. You probably already know that but I didn't when I got my Marlin lever in 32 long colt. Totally different and brass basically needs to be made as it hasn't been produced for a long time. Good luck.
Ron

[Thumbcocker]

A 98 grain dewc with bullseye or red dot is loads of fun and would probably smack a varmint pretty hard.

[GhostHawk]

I like the Lee .314 90 gr TL truncated cone with BLL in the grooves.

I load mine over 2 grains of Red Dot with CCI small pistol primers.

I use this same load in .32acp. Not the fastest but accurate and consistent, and thrifty on both lead and powder.

I also shoot this load in .32sw long brass in my Ruger NMSS in .32H&R mag. In fact this gun has never fired anything else.
Shoots like a laser.

[Oregon_Dan]

Please be careful as there is a difference between the 32 long colt and the 32S&W and 32 H&R. You probably already know that but I didn't when I got my Marlin lever in 32 long colt. Totally different and brass basically needs to be made as it hasn't been produced for a long time. Good luck.
Ron

Ron,
Don't know if you are still playing with your Marlin or not, but Starline lists brass in this caliber, though they don't currently have any. Also, Buffalo Arms is listing reformed brass for it!

[Green Frog]

There are a bunch of threads here discussing the care and feeding of the 32 S&W Long cartridge. With your soon-to-arrive K frame 32, you can pick the heaviest safe loads from any reliable source. I personally like a 95 gr cast or swaged semiwadcutter over 2.5 gr of Bullseye, but I also like the same bullet over W 231, but I don’t have the charge weight clos at hand. Since it’s a K frame, and you want to hunt with it, bullets of 105 to 115 grains also may be worth trying. Check powder manufacturers or reliable sources for load data. That gun you’re getting is a treasure... be sure to post pictures when it arrives.
Froggie

[Tall]

I've been loading S&W 32 Long with 2.0 grains of W231 powder behind a 100 Grain lswc. Seems to be pretty accurate.

[MrWolf]

Ron,
Don't know if you are still playing with your Marlin or not, but Starline lists brass in this caliber, though they don't currently have any. Also, Buffalo Arms is listing reformed brass for it!

Dan, thanks got your pm. Starline hasn't had any 32 long colt in forever. I believe the last run f factory ammo was sometime in the 70's but others that know far more than me can comment. I just wanted to make sure folks know 32 long colt is NOT the same as 32S&W long. Lot of folks get them confused.
Ron

[billmc2]

I've been using Arsenal Molds 98gr Keith http://arsenalmolds.com/products?product_id=60 for both 32 S&W Long and 32 H&R Magnum. I can't offer any load data at this time because I'm still working on it. I loaded the 32 Mag first. I've got a couple of different powders loaded for 32 S&W Long, but haven't had a chance to shoot them over the chronograph yet.

[MT Gianni]

I was surprised when I ran the RCBS 98 swc and 2.5 gr of BE over a Chronograph. Almost 900 fps out of my 4" regulation police I frame. I have since dropped things to 2.3 gr.

[racepres]

Not to be left out!!! 98 CSWC, over 3.4 gr of AA#5... I like it Lots!!!
among all others posted...

[engineer401]

This is a little off topic but I have three molds in that size and family where you live. Let me know if you want to try them out or need some bullets try load up. I can see the relatives and get stuff to you at the same time.

[JoeJames]

32 S&W Long

Bullet: 98 grain lead semi-wadcutter

S&W 32 Hand Ejector 5th Change
98 grain lead swc:
fps
2.0 grains - Bullseye = 659, 642, 665
2.1 grains - Bullseye = 694, 681, 689
2.2 grains - Bullseye = 625, 757, 760
.........
Fiocchi Wad-cutters = 560, 587, 597, 608
...............
S&W Model 631 4"

fps
1.5 grains - Trail Boss = 527, 530, 555, 511, 493,
2.0 grains - Trail Boss = 694, 687, 645, 705, 673
* 2.0 grains of Trail Boss comes to bullet base
fps
2.0 grains - Bullseye = 559, 641, 672
2.1 grains - Bullseye = 636, 681, 684
2.2 grains - Bullseye = 702, 741, 721


My favorite bullet now is the Lee Double Cavity Mold-.314” 90 Gr SWC.

[Tall]

Ron,
Don't know if you are still playing with your Marlin or not, but Starline lists brass in this caliber, though they don't currently have any. Also, Buffalo Arms is listing reformed brass for it!

Buffalo Arms lists it as out of stock, none available.

https://www.buffaloarms.com/32-long-...2longcolt.html

[lawdog941]

Currently, Starline has it in stock.

[Tall]

Currently, Starline has it in stock.

Currently Starline will not accept backorders and they also have zero stock of 32 Long Colt

https://www.starlinebrass.com/38-long-colt-brass

[Oregon_Dan]

Gemtlemen, Thank you all for your input! You have certainly given me food for thought, and a LOT of material to play with. Looking forward to getting this gun up and going!

[rintinglen]

32 S&W long IS (or at least was yesterday evening) available at Starline.
As far as I know, they haven't made 32 Long or Short Colt, at least not in this decade.