I guess this was inevitable... 32 long BP

[NoZombies]

I have recently found myself with the desire to load the 32 S&W long with black powder. The round started as a BP round, so it should be eminently doable, but does anyone have any experience or advice?

[Nobade]

I see that Accurate Molds has a bullet for it in his catalog now....

[Mk42gunner]

I have read that the load was 8 or 9 grains or BP, but I think that was the short case. Cartridges of the Wolrd (11th ed.) says the Long Rimfire was loaded with 12-13 grains, no mention of either of the .32 Colt rounds. The 8th ed. does mention them, but that is about all.

I am guessing you are going to use solidhead cases? I would fill the case to the base of the seated boolit with FFFg and use a BP lube.

I am curious if a .32 will foul out with the miniscule powder charge or not.

Good Luck,

Robert

[NickSS]

I have not loaded the 32 S&W long with black powder but I have loaded 32-20s with black and I use the same technique that I use for any BP round. I used FFFG and a drop tube to deposit the powder as for how much I started with a level that would allow me to insert the bullet and just touch the powder. Then added more powder to give like .030" compression and then a bit more until the load was shooting good on target. Per my notes I used GOEX powder and found that about .15" gave me the best accuracy with the Lyman 31108 bullet I was using.

[hporter]

I ordered a 3 cavity brass mold of the new Accurate Mold 31-090L design on monday for a cosmetically challenged H&R 732 I picked up last week. The 732 would be a good candidate for this interesting project.

MK42Gunner, I was interested in your comment about fouling out. My only 32 molds that I have on hand are the Lee 93 grain round nose with two small lube grooves and the 90 tumble lube. I wouldn't think the tumble lube design would be a good candidate as far as fouling, but perhaps the round nose design might carry enough?

My only experience with shooting BP in cartridge guns is with 45 colts shooting the RCBS 270 and Lyman 454190 boolits, and I never ran into a fouling problem. But then again I was shooting BP subs, as real BP was not available locally. Thankfully a shop 5 miles from the house now stocks holy black. This might be fun!

[Wayne Smith]

More accurately - This will be fun! Follow Nick's procedure and enjoy making smoke with that little jem.

[NoZombies]

Thanks guys. I'm thinking I'd like to try it in a few single shot rifles I've got. Maybe a single six, but who knows?

I've got a few antique .32 revolvers as well, and it might be an interesting way to get them shooting again.

[w30wcf]

NoZombies,

I have had experience shooting black powder in my '92 Marlin .32 Colt.
The original factory b.p. loading was 12 grs. under a 90 gr. bullet.

The 32 S&W has a bit more capacity and was originally factory loaded with 13 grs. of b.p. and a 98 gr. bullet.

In a rifle barrel I have found that the type of b.p. used is important to keep the barrel from fouling out with period correct 2-3 grease grooved bullets. I have found that SWISS FFFG has worked the very best in the '92 .32 Colt rifle.

I have used the Ideal 311245 in the long colt after reducing the back band to the heel diameter. Bullet weight is 93 grs in w.w. + 2% alloy.

12 grs of Swiss FFFG = 1,154 fps avg.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/w30wcf/Collector%20Cartridges/311245.jpg

Black powder in the .32's is fuunnn!:D:D

w30wcf

[Springfield]

There is a dedicated .32 BP bullet mould available from www.biglube.com I have the mould and have used the bullets in my S&W 1 1/2 pocket pistol.

[NoZombies]

I've got the 3118, and it was originally used in the 32-20 with BP. I was thinking I might use that, but Ive got lots of stuff to try. If I find I really like shooting the .32 with BP, I might get the big-lube bullet.

Thanks for the Info guys, I don't have a lot of time right now, but it's something on the back of my mind, so it will probably eventually happen, and the info I get here helps to turn it from "hmm, I wonder..." to a reality

[hporter]

I picked up a can of Swiss FFFG today, but I don't have any empty cases to load.

I guess I will have to do some shooting this week!

[w30wcf]

NoZombies,

Your hollow based bullet made in soft alloy and lubed with b.p. lube should work ok. Early on the factories offered b.p. loaded with hollow based and solid based bullets.

Here are two bullets I have used. I originally used bullets that I turned on my lathe that worked pretty well. I was going to have a mold made until I discovered that the 311245 shot just fine with Swiss 3F.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/w30wcf/311245.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o25/w30wcf/31124532LColtBP.jpg

Have fun!
w30wcf

[w30wcf]

hporter,
Sounds like a plan!:Fire:

Springfield,
Will you be offering that bullet for sale as well? I checked your website but did not see it (of course, I can be a bit blind sometimes....at least that's what my wife tells me.....)

w30wcf

[McLintock]

I loaded 32 H&R's with Swiss 3F and a bullet I got through a group buy here on the forum, 120 gr and one nice big lube groove. Worked real good for my set of Old Model Single Six Rugers that I had converted to center fire and .32 cal. Just fill up the case until you get a little compression and seat the bullet. Like 30 WCF says, 32's are fun to shoot and make a lot of smoke. I use that bullet in my Marlin 32-20 also and it works with a 20" barrel.
McLintock

[Springfield]

w30wcf: I just looked at my website, and I have it listed lower in the price list but I don't have a picture posted, so I'll fix that today. Thanks for the heads-up.

[w30wcf]

Springfield,
Thank you for the update. I see it now...... .32 77
http://www.whyteleatherworks.com/BigLube.html

w30wcf

[hporter]

Received my Accurate Mold 31-090L this week. It casts right at .314 and weighs 92 grains with my alloy.

I shot up a few 32 S&W longs last week with the H&R 732. Had quite a few misfires so I ordered a new main spring assembly and firing pin from Numerich Arms. Seems to be alright now.

One step closer to giving the 32 BP loads a go.