32 mag rifle loads

[sixgunner452]

I've got a 20'' carbine in 32 mag. Just looking for high velocity loads with a 115-120 grain cast. Looking to hit 1,800 fps, or thereabouts. Thanks, Randy.

[Mk42gunner]

1,800 fps might be a touch optimistic, there really isn't a whole lot of boiler room in a .32 H&R.

What kind of carbine do you have?

Robert

[sixgunner452]

1,800 fps might be a touch optimistic, there really isn't a whole lot of boiler room in a .32 H&R.

What kind of carbine do you have?

Robert

Sir, it's a custom single shot built on a .410 shotgun action. I am new to this 32 mag/327 game, but I routinely see people hitting 1400-1500 in revolvers, so I assumed 1800 fps would be reasonable. If I am wrong ; how close to 1800 can one get? Thanks, Randy.

[leftiye]

If the gun is strong enough, the .32 can be ran clear up to rifle pressures, the brass is strong enough, it's just that H&R didn't think their guns were strong enough. Finding data is another issue altogether. You'll probly have to use a powder like 2400, H110 and start with standard loads and work your way up. Folks here a lot of them don't believe in pressure signs, but unless you want to use fried brass (as in flowing), perforated primers, and blown primer pockets as pressure signs - you'll need to figure that out.

[Mk42gunner]

Sir, it's a custom single shot built on a .410 shotgun action. I am new to this 32 mag/327 game, but I routinely see people hitting 1400-1500 in revolvers, so I assumed 1800 fps would be reasonable. If I am wrong ; how close to 1800 can one get? Thanks, Randy.

Randy, thanks for the courtesy; but you don't have to call me sir, my name is Robert.

I really do not know if 1800 is possible, reasonable, or just plain dreaming. I do know there is an awful lot of +p and ++p untested data floating around the internet for this cartridge; which is one of my favorites by the way.

I had some 120 grain RNFP loads with LILGUN that were 1220 from the 6½" barrel on my Ruger SSM, then I got to wondering just how high the pressure was. I decided if I wanted to that heavy a boolit at that velocity I was probably safer using one of my already owned .357's.

Load workups and a very slow for the cartridge powder will probably be necessary. Maybe a call to Hodgdon??

I have wanted to do a shotgun conversion like yours, but I have too many projects that are half done now.

Good Luck and stay safe,

Robert

[sixgunner452]

Robert, thank you for your response. You are correct in finding reliable data on this round. I have seen you are leery of the claims made by others about this cartridge. I actually e-mailed one of the members that spoke of these powerful loads. As of yet I have not seen a response. In your opinion how fast can a 115-120 bullet be safely run in limited use. I do not plan on making this an everyday load. But if I'm in the woods, and see a deer or hog, I would like to have a load that would be appropriate. Randy.

[Outpost75]

If the firing pin of your shotgun action has not been bushed, you can expect blown primers if you substantially exceed .32 H&R Mag. pressures. Even with a bushed firing pin, you are limited by the strength of a soft, mallable iron shotgun receiver and you don't want to appreciably exceed the breech thrust of the .410 shotgun round, if you don't want to shoot the gun loose. The .32 case head is smaller and gives you some wiggle room, but within what I'd consider safe pressures for a soft shotgun receiver with bushed firing pin, I would not want to exceed about 28-30,000 psi. A nominal caseful of 4227 will give you .32-20 rifle ballistics. Don't try to make a .327 Federal of it. Be happy with 14-1500 fps if you want the gun to last.

[sixgunner452]

Oupost75, thank you for your valued response. I believe I will adhere to your knowledgeable advise on the subject. Thanks, Randy.

[Outpost75]

Oupost75, thank you for your valued response. I believe I will adhere to your knowledgeable advise on the subject. Thanks, Randy.

John Taylor built for me a .32 H&R Mag. Rook rifle on a pre-WW2 H&R .44/.410/12mm shotgun action and my GoTo small game load is either 3 grains of Bullseye or 6.5 grains of #2400 with the Ideal #3118. These loads approximate the velocity of blackpowder .32-20 lead loads, about 1200 fps. Delightful small game and nondestructive turkey load.

[sixgunner452]

Sir, I will have to give these loads a try. Randy.

[clone]

Try a slow pistol powder for the long barrel. Blue dot would be a good start. I was able to attain 1700fps in my 9mm carbine with 115 FMJ's, with no pressure signs.

[rockrat]

I have a Wichita arms single shot pistol and am getting near 1600 fps with a 115gr boolit , using Lil gun powder. Pistol has a 10" barrel

[Whit Spurzon]

I have not tried it with a 115 gr bullet but my Marlin 1894 CB in 32 H&R would spit out a 100 grain bullet at just under 1800 fps using the max published dose of Lil'Gun. The same load is just under 1300 fps in my Single Six (5.5"). Very accurate in both.