32 H&R Mag questions

[Whit Spurzon]

After reading a bunch of 32 H&R posts I'm on the lookout for one. It looks like there are a number of molds that shoot well in them, especially in the 95-100 grain bullet range. I did see one post that where the poster said he had some success with the Lee Soup Can over Unique but haven't found any data for this caliber for bullets of this weight.

Looks like RCBS has a couple of nice looking molds in around 100 grains, anyone using those?

I have the Lyman 311008 mold and it typically drops .313" bullets with the alloy I use most for pistol calibers, anyone tried that bullet in their 32 H&R?

Thanks in advance.

[NoZombies]

Whit,

I use the 311008 in the .32 long and the .32 magnum. In the .32 long, I use 1.8 grains of tight-group. In the magnum, I use 2.3 grains tight-group. I only use the loads in strong framed revolvers, but they should both be within the saami pressure limits for the cartridges. These loads have been good in a single six (might still require some tuning) and have been excellent in other guns.

I've had several folks send me the bullets from the RCBS 32-098 SWC mold, and my guns shot the bullet so well that I ordered myself one new. Being the cheap bastid that I am, buying a mold new is like pulling teeth, but my guns like the bullet so much, that I did anyways. For that bullet the load I like is 2.0 grains of tight-group in the long case, and 2.5 in the magnum case.

I made a trade with another member for the RCBS 98 grain WC mold, but it hasn't arrived yet, so I can't speak to that one specifically, but I've used the Lyman 313492 type 3 wadcutter with good results, as well as the lee DEWC TL with similarly good results. I load the type 3 seated long (like a SWC) using 2.0 grains tight-group in the long case. I haven't loaded it in the .32 mag case. The lee WC I load over 1.6 grains tight-group seated flush in the long case. The lee WC mold is discontinued and hard to find, but other WC's seem to give similar, if not better results for me.

The Lyman 313631 95 grain GC SWC is the bullet that was designed for the .32 magnum. It does quite well, but molds are hard to find, and the hassle and expense of gas checks makes it almost not worth it. I say almost, because I've found that it is worth the effort if you can find one, but it shouldn't be something that you spend too much time or money pursuing, since there are other viable options that are easier to obtain.

There's a group buy for a 115 grain SWC going on here (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=124375) that I think shows a lot of promise for the .32 magnum crowd. I suspect it will also do well from my .32 longs.

I use tight-group for a lot of my pistol loads, and it works very well, but care must be taken to avoid a double charge, the powder isn't very voluminous, and can be double charged without causing seating issues in the .32 long or magnum cartridges.

[9.3X62AL]

For both the 32 S&W Long and the 32 H&R Magnum, my best work has been--hands down--with RCBS-98-SWC. 700 FPS to 1200 FPS, in two revolvers (Ruger SSM and S&W Model 16-4). The 32 Longs do well to 800 FPS, and that is as strong as I'll load the caliber in my gun (Colt Pocket Positive x 6").

The Magnums tend to not shoot the 110-120 grainers quite as well as they do the 95-100 grainers. I had Mountain Molds carve me a Short Fat Thirty 120 grainer (hereinafter known as MMSFT) spec'd to revolver quirks and anxieties, and it is LIGHTS OUT in 32-20......not quite as good in the small cases, though. #313631 isn't impressive at 850-900 FPS, but the harder you push it--the tighter it groups in the 16-4 x 6". Run that critter at 1350 FPS (Rated "R"), and it will cut cloverleaves for ya. And about deafen ya while doing so, too. Plugs And Muffs City.

Be aware that Colt revolvers will have tighter throats than S&Ws--usually .311" vs. .314", 32 Long or 32-20. Rugers straddle and split the difference. A LOT of off-the-shelf 32 moulds won't cast fat enough to fit S&W throats--the Lee RNs and Soup Can come to mind here, but they are listed as .311" and .309", so no fault of Lee. My RCBS-98-SWC castings fall out about .315", and 'clean up' in a .314" sizer to right at .314".

[NoZombies]

Al,

I had different results with the 313631, though admittedly in different guns. I found them to be fine at any velocity over 800 FPS from the 3 guns I tried them in. I'll have to try pushing them a little harder in my stronger guns, an see if they do indeed improve.

My older S&W's have tighter throats than the newer ones I've played with. My little I-frame throats are all at .312" The ruger I have is closer to .311" and the brazillian guns run the gamut from .311-.314. I haven't got a colt .32, though that may change in the future. I've heard that some of the more recent Ruger Single sixes have large throats, but I haven't checked any to see for myself.

[MT Gianni]

I was using the Lee 113fp in the H&R single six. I have 3 SC molds so I dehorned one of the gc. It did OK but nothing the 98 RCBS didn't do. As sc cavity molds and handguns are not always mentioned together I stuck with the RCBS. I have a 95 gr rn Lee that doesn't do near as well, 311313 does OK with the check as does the NOE 110 hp. Both need to be pushed hard to work in the 32 mag.

[Larry Gibson]

Two moulds for top end 32 H&R loads are the Lyman 311316 (118 gr GC mould) and the Lyman 313631 (105 gr SWC GC originally designed for the 32 H&R). That siad my most used bullet is the lee TL314-90-SWC over 3.2 gr Bullseye for right at 1000 fps out of my 6 1/2" Single Six. I have a 6 cavity mould and cast thousands of them because I use them in all my .32 handguns and all my .30/.31 cal rifles.

Larry Gibson

[9.3X62AL]

As noted, it does take a while to fill a 1# coffee can with 98 grain castings and a 2-banger RCBS mould. Downrange results are worth it, though--and a 1# can lasts a while.

[rintinglen]

+1 on the RCBS 32-98, I use it in the 32 Long, the 32 HRM, and in the 32-20 with uniformly excellent results. I just wish it came in a 4 banger. It takes a while to cast up 500 boolits, and no time at all for the kids and grandkids to run through "em. For the 32 HRM. I've had good results with 3.2 Grains of WW-231 and 3.5 Grains of Unique, both accurate, but not all that hot.

[19112TAP]

I would agree that the RCBS 32-98-SWC is my favorite mold for .32 H&R I do also use the RCBS 32-98 WC, Lyman 311008 & Lyman 31133 HP. I have used Unique, 2400, HS-6 & AA #7 with AA#7 being my favorite powder, I shoot them out of a Ruger Single Six Bisley and a Marlin 1894.
I have been able to harvest alot of squirrel & various varmints, and they are a blast to shoot.

[EMC45]

Another vote for the 32-098 RCBS.

[Whit Spurzon]

Many thanks guys. Got the 32-098 RCBS on order with some Starline Brass on the way. Thanks for getting me pointed in the right direction.

[Whit Spurzon]

Got one!
http://www.myhostedpics.com/images/Pathfinder/mg2305.jpg

Shoots real good too.
http://www.myhostedpics.com/images/Pathfinder/mg2310.jpg

THANKS AGAIN FOR THE HELP!

[Fishman]

Whit, good looking gun and good shooting!

Does anyone know if NOE or Mihec ever ran a copy of the RCBS 32-98? I'd love to try the design, but have gotten spoiled with the multi-cavity moulds I've recently acquired. Don't want to use a 2-cavity unless I have to.

I couldn't find the design in the NOE list of moulds on the vendor sales page.

[Dark Helmet]

Now back off to 50 yards and pour some AA#7 in those cases, I swear your groups won't change!

[NoZombies]

Does anyone know if NOE or Mihec ever ran a copy of the RCBS 32-98? I'd love to try the design, but have gotten spoiled with the multi-cavity moulds I've recently acquired. Don't want to use a 2-cavity unless I have to.

Not as far as I know. We are running a small group buy for the NOE 315-115 SWC (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=124375)though, and having tested some samples from another member's mold, I hold very high hopes for it.

[Fishman]

Not as far as I know. We are running a small group buy for the NOE 315-115 SWC (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=124375)though, and having tested some samples from another member's mold, I hold very high hopes for it.

Thanks for the heads up nozombies. Did you test a gc or pb design?

[MT Gianni]

Also a buy going for a NOE 311008 in 311, 314 diameters. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=108987 I think this is scheduled for Oct.

[NoZombies]

Thanks for the heads up nozombies. Did you test a gc or pb design?

I tested the PB version, and saw excellent accuracy at 25 yards, with that bullet turning in the smallest group of the day, both days that I was shooting it.

[Fishman]

I apologize for the thread drift.

I checked out both designs (thanks mtgianni and nozombies). The NOE design is bore riding I see. How important is that in a revolver? I really like the looks of the Lyman design but there is a lot of bullet out there unsupported.

[BAGTIC]

I have been shooting SAECO's # 325 95 grain for 20 years. Revolver velocities to 1,200 fps with zero leading even after 500+ rounds. Shoots as good as any other bullet I have tried in my guns.

I am also tempted to try SAECO #326 100 grain the BB version of the #325.

[NoZombies]

I apologize for the thread drift.

I checked out both designs (thanks mtgianni and nozombies). The NOE design is bore riding I see. How important is that in a revolver? I really like the looks of the Lyman design but there is a lot of bullet out there unsupported.

I find the 311008 to be excellent in my revolvers, the nose profile of the one I have is almost identical to the RCBS 32-098 swc. In fact, when loaded, I can't tell them apart. The 311008 seems to shoot about the same, just a touch higher.

I would say that going either way will be just fine in a revolver. I seem to collect .32 molds, and have my fair share, but if I had to choose just one of the production molds available, it would be a toss up between the 311008 and the rcbs 32-098 SWC. Throwing custom and GB molds into the mix would complicate things considerably.

[Fishman]

I find the 311008 to be excellent in my revolvers, the nose profile of the one I have is almost identical to the RCBS 32-098 swc. In fact, when loaded, I can't tell them apart. The 311008 seems to shoot about the same, just a touch higher.

I would say that going either way will be just fine in a revolver. I seem to collect .32 molds, and have my fair share, but if I had to choose just one of the production molds available, it would be a toss up between the 311008 and the rcbs 32-098 SWC. Throwing custom and GB molds into the mix would complicate things considerably.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to get in on that buy. Too bad it's not on the schedule until April. In the meantime I guess the boy and I will shoot the Lee 93 gr rn which I have a mould for. Thanks for the feedback.

[NoZombies]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to get in on that buy. Too bad it's not on the schedule until April...

I know what you mean! Thankfully I have some other molds to play with in the mean-time, but I look forward to the NOE SWC.