Reload and or Casting for the .32 S&W (Short)

[clownbear69]

Well nowadays it seems to be an obsolete caliber and round but my grandfather owns one. I would like to reload for it but it looks like Redding is the only one who makes dies for it (custom, correct me if I'm wrong.) And after looking at an old box of rounds for it they are lead.

Does anyone have experience with this round in just reloading perhaps casting for it? I really wouldn't want to retire it because ammo is hard to find and last I looked was a buck a round.

[tengaugetx]

I load the S&W long. RCBS makes dies for the long, not sure if they will interchange with the S&W short.

[clownbear69]

I know they do for the long but I haven't seen anything with the short. It almost seems like it doesn't exist.

[Ickisrulz]

Try CH4d.com

They pretty much have dies for everything.

[44Vaquero]

Lee makes a die set for .32 S&W Long (90624), the parent case is the same for .32 S&W, .32 S&W long and .32 Mag. De-priming and sizing would not be an issue. You would need to contact Lee and ask if the belling and crimping dies have sufficient adjustment (.32 S&W .610 in length vs., .920 for .32 S&W long).

FYI, I just checked my Hornady .32 S&W/.32 Mag (Circa 1990) and they do have enough adjustment!

[clownbear69]

Try CH4d.com

They pretty much have dies for everything.

Thanks. now the trick is any reloading data with cast boolits and any kind

[clownbear69]

Lee makes a die set for .32 S&W Long (90624), the parent case is the same for .32 S&W, .32 S&W long and .32 Mag. De-priming and sizing would not be an issue. You would need to contact Lee and ask if the belling and crimping dies have sufficient adjustment (.32 S&W .610 in length vs., .920 for .32 S&W long).

FYI, I just checked my Hornady .32 S&W/.32 Mag (Circa 1990) and they do have enough adjustment!

So they will scale down to fit for the .32 short? Interesting much cheaper than custom dies now data on it

EDIT: Looked on IMR powders and they only have one load with one powder 85 gr lead over win 231 1.4gr. Does anybody try anything else?

[44Vaquero]

Clownbear69, Yes it is possible, even if the dies did not have sufficient adjustment it would not be too difficult to trim 3/10's off the die bodies.

As for loading data here you go:

As with all loading data use at your own risk/YMMV
http://www.reloadammo.com/32sw.htm
Loads for .32 Smith & Wesson: (short)(case is .605" long)
(Note: Most ARE MAXIMUM loads, you may want to use 10% less to start.)
(See note on Powders below or read all about various Powders.)
Due to different barrel lengths, type of bullet, seating depth, primer type and other factors, you may not get near the FPS charted. It is just a guide and the reason you should start under these charges and work up.
Bullet size is .314" (lead) in diameter.

----------------------------------------
85 Grain LEAD
W231 1.4 gr. 640 fps MAX
HP38 1.3 gr. 668
IMR 700X 1.4 gr. 665
Bullseye 1.3 gr. 670
----------------------------------------
88 Grain LEAD RN Remington commercial
S&W (short) 638.8 fps hi=676, lo=597, ES=78
----------------------------------------
90 Grain LEAD RN
HP-38 1.3 gr. 438 fps
Unique 1.7 gr. 441 fps
Unique 2.0 gr. 479 (max)
W-231 1.4 gr. 422
W231/HP38 2.0 gr. 561
Unique 2.3 gr. 542
-----------------------------------------

These are the only loads I could find for this aging cartridge. Almost all .32 revolvers are chambered for the .32 S&W Long, also called the .32 Colt New Police cartridge. See the page for this caliber.
Discussion: All the powders listed are fast burning powders in small quantities for this light bullet and light duty caliber.

A bullet with a copper gas check or copper plating is best for INDOOR ranges to keep lead vapors out of the air.

[Outpost75]

You can load .32S&W using. 32 ACP dies, except case is too short to crimp.
Inertial dislodgement from recoil is not an issue with this mild round. I load 1.2 grains of Bullseye with a piece of single-0 buckshot pressed into the case mouth. A 98-grain HBWC can be loaded with this charge as long as the bullet is seated way out to 0.9" overall cartridge length.

[clownbear69]

You can load .32S&W using. 32 ACP dies, except case is too short to crimp.
Inertial dislodgement from recoil is not an issue with this mild round. I load 1.2 grains of Bullseye with a piece of single-0 buckshot pressed into the case mouth. A 98-grain HBWC can be loaded with this charge as long as the bullet is seated way out to 0.9" overall cartridge length.

Really on the dies, ive also heard that the 32 acp brass works for it as well

[dtknowles]

I have cast and loaded .32 S&W for my 100 year old top break Smith and Wesson DA revolver using starting loads from Lyman handbooks. I don't have dies, I use the expander from my Lee 7.62x25 die set and a cut off piece of .32 cal muzzleloader barrel chamfered as my crimp to take the bell back out of the case. I don't shoot it much so I don't see the point in buying dies. It does take a while to load a box of shells.

Tim

[Wayne Smith]

I picked up an old RCBS Long set. I load a buckshot on top of 1.2gr Bullseye. The first time I took it to the range the range guys followed me to make sure the ball made it through the target backer! They did. Mine is a little H&R - my grandmother's gun. It is cute and fun.

Since buckshot are not real consistent I start them back into the size die to size the buckshot. Works well.

[A pause for the COZ]

LEE makes a set for 32S&W and will load longs. Thats what I use to load all my shorties.

[groovy mike]

Some of the old top break revolvers will work well with 32 ACP brass, but others will not depending on how tight the extractors fit the cases. Been awhile but I think the 32 S&W is rimmed and the 32 ACP is not.

[dtknowles]

32 ACP is considered semirimmed. It does have a slight rim. I have not tried them in my S&W revolver because I had other brass that I knew would work. First I use cut down 32 longs then I got some 32 S&W brass.

Tim

[trapper9260]

The dies i have are for 32 S&W Long and H&R mag and I reload all 32 with them that is made by lyman and I load for my 327 mag and I do 32 shorts like stated and acp , longs and mags and327 and find no problems with loading all of them and I also use a 85gr cast bullet in them all and no problems and I do shot the 32acp in my P32 and also my 327 mag and all shot fine and also shot 32 shorts in my 327 no problems that is the main reason I got the 327 to shoot different cart. in it and then got the 32 acp after and just need a different shell holder then the other 32 with the full rim then the semi rims.

[Outpost75]

32 ACP is considered semirimmed. It does have a slight rim. I have not tried them in my S&W revolver because I had other brass that I knew would work. First I use cut down 32 longs then I got some 32 S&W brass.
Tim

While most .32 revolvers will function normally and fire .32 ACP, something to be concerned about is that European .32 ACPs in particular are loaded to much higher pressure than .32 S&W, so you are firing the equivalent of a proof load every time you pull the trigger. While sturdy, postwar swing-out cylinder revolvers, such as the S&W Models 30 or 31 can handle this with no issues, the top-break revolvers and light alloy frame ones, such as the Colt Cobra, do not respond well to such use. I once repaired a nice 1970s era Colt Cobra in .32 Colt New Police in which the owner had set back the steel firing pin bushing the recoil shield, due to set-back of firing about 100 .32 ACP rounds, because their thinner rims gave the cases a running start to whack back against the frame.

I can also tell you that firing .32 ACP rounds in a .32 S&W Long chambered revolver results in poor accuracy and significant velocity loss because of poor fit of rounds in the chamber and increased bullet jump. If cylinder gap is over 0.008" there may be sufficient gas loss for the jacketed bullet to stick in the barrel. All the more reason not to try it. Use the proper ammunition, please.

[Guesser]

I've been casting Lyman 313249 for 32 S&W for more than 30 years. Drops at 86 grains. I load using a current production Lee 32 S&W die set. Good cartridge and a lot of fun in old Colt Police Positives and S&W Hand ejectors. Surprisingly accurate!!!!

[mikeym1a]

So there are other strange people like me! I have 2 .32 S&W top break revolvers, don't recall the brand, off hand. Used to shot them until the firing pin fell out. Seems I loaded them with a lee product, and a lee mould. That was 20 yrs back. Ran across them recently, while looking for something else. nifty little guns. Always fascinated by them. :grin:

[Green Frog]

Another possibility is to look for the old Lyman TruLine Jr and/or 310 tool dies. They were often designed for 32 S&W and 32 S&W Long because that is what was available to load back then. I've found a boxed TL JR set of dies, a boxed 310 tool set and an old pre-War #3 tong tool set with dies and although I haven't loaded 32 S&W with any of them, I still have adjustment left to go shorter when I do Longs and 32 H&R semi-Magnums with them. Just think how cool it would be to load those little boogers on a little TruLine Jr press! ;)

Froggie

[millerwb]

So another question: Can you shoot a 32 S&W Long in a gun marked for 32 S&W? The 32 longs fit in the cylinder completely and the cylinder will turn correctly.

[Green Frog]

So another question: Can you shoot a 32 S&W Long in a gun marked for 32 S&W? The 32 longs fit in the cylinder completely and the cylinder will turn correctly.

In a word, yes.

You can go shorter, just like 38 Spl and 357 Mag. And just like you can't shoot 357 Mags in a 38 Spl, you can't shoot 32 S&W Longs in an older gun chambered for 32 S&W ["short"]

Froggie

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

clownbear69

Did you find dies to load .32 S&W (not long)?

If not, I'll loan you my Hornady dies which Hornady tech says will reload the ".32 S&W short".

[44Vaquero]

Green Frog

That is exactly what I do! My Tru-Line Jr. is dedicated to the .32 family. I love my Jr.

80365

[Virginia John]

I have a set of RCBS .32 S&W dies on ebay for sale if you are interested. I load both .32 ACP and S&W and I find that the specific dies work best for the task.

[Green Frog]

Green Frog

That is exactly what I do! My Tru-Line Jr. is dedicated to the .32 family. I love my Jr.

80365

Did you put the 7/8 x 14 top on that TL Jr? Sacrilege!! (Unless of course it's so you can use carbide dies with it!) ;) I don't like to tempt fate by putting too much muscle onto that handle. Gotta love those TruLine Jrs regardless.

Froggie

[44Vaquero]

Froggie, Yes I did put the 7/8x14 tool head on it (You are just jealous)! The dies mounted are Hornady New Dimension TIN coated!

The trick to not over stressing the little Jr., is adjusting the sizing die to be just above Cam-over of the linkage. By adjusting the dies in that manor you avoid slamming the carrier into the tool head and over stressing the castings. Pretty simple really.

[Green Frog]

Froggie, Yes I did put the 7/8x14 tool head on it (You are just jealous)! The dies mounted are Hornady New Dimension TIN coated!

The trick to not over stressing the little Jr., is adjusting the sizing die to be just above Cam-over of the linkage. By adjusting the dies in that manor you avoid slamming the carrier into the tool head and over stressing the castings. Pretty simple really.

So far so good, but I was referring to the pressure on the whole thing when you full length resize a case that has been fired in a loose chamber. You will recall that Lyman only offered FL resizing dies for straight sided pistol calibers and a very few rifle cases. This was the stated reason for that practice, they feared the press wouldn't take the abuse. On the other hand, I've never seen one break, so what did they know? :wink:

Yes, I have considered buying a replacement, 7/8 x 14 head, but with all the other presses I have and with the good uses I have for original TL Jr presses, it just hasn't gotten done! :roll:

Regards,
Froggie

[44Vaquero]

Green Frog;

I think they were more concerned with some Jack-*** FL resizing 30-30 or 44's etc. Lord, knows none of us have ever abused a press, he says with a wink and a grin! I reformed my 1st run (200 cases) of .357/.44 B&D on my original Lee Reloader C-frame!

The TIN coated dies are also very slick, much slicker then just regular carbide pistol dies.

As far as the loose chamber issue, I ran into some old .44 Magnum's the other day over .461 spec is .456 max! I pulled the carrier right off the press with the 1st one.

Remember, some guys can break a bowling ball and lose the parts!

[mikeym1a]

Lee makes a die set for .32 S&W Long (90624), the parent case is the same for .32 S&W, .32 S&W long and .32 Mag. De-priming and sizing would not be an issue. You would need to contact Lee and ask if the belling and crimping dies have sufficient adjustment (.32 S&W .610 in length vs., .920 for .32 S&W long).

FYI, I just checked my Hornady .32 S&W/.32 Mag (Circa 1990) and they do have enough adjustment!

I've reloaded some .32S&W's using the .32S&WL dies. It was a long time ago. Don't remember how I went about it. Haven't shot those old break-top guns for a long time.