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Rob43
03-18-2008, 06:41 AM
I have a 6 1/2" Ruger SSM and two 6" S&W 16-4 in 32 H&R And use a RCBS 098-SWC mold And have a crap load of Hornady JHP 85's I got at midway on there last bleam sale.I no theres a lot of 32 fans here so what I would like to no is whats the most accurate load you have every come up with for the 32 H&R..

9.3X62AL
03-18-2008, 09:16 AM
Rob--

Welcome to the board, sir!

The RCBS 98 grain SWC has been the overall most accurate boolit for me in the 32 Magnum. It would be difficult to choose a "single best" powder/weight, just about any load running between 800 and 1000 FPS shoots better than I can. Above 1000 FPS, I favor AA-7, Herco and 2400, and have not progressed past 1200 FPS very much. I size at .314", and use mild to moderate roll crimping. This info applies to a Ruger SSM x 5.5" (now gone) and a S&W Model 16-4 x 6" (still present, and WON'T be leaving).

I haven't done a lot of work with jacketed bullets in the 32 Magnum, but most of that has been with the old Hornady 85 JHP or more recent 85 grain XTP. Using AA-7, starting at 6.5 grains and working upward has been VERY accurate for me. I REALLY like AA-7 for the 32 Magnum and other higher-pressure 30/32 caliber handgun rounds.

That 85 grain XTP does BAD THINGS to small critters from the 32 Magnum or the 30 Luger and 30 Mauser. Don't plan on table fare using the XTP unless you down-load it significantly.

Harry O
03-18-2008, 10:28 AM
The .32 Magnum is very flexible and shoots well with many bullets and many powders. I have narrowed it down to two different loads for me.

A duplicate of the factory lead load is the RCBS 98gr bullet with 4.5gr of Winchester 540 (now known as HS-6). I use that in both my Ruger Single-Six and S&W J-frame 631.

For the Ruger ONLY, I have a higher powered load of 7.5gr of 2400 with a Hornady 85gr JHP. Although that is a small gun, it is more than tough enough for that load.

Although I had a S&W K-frame NewModel 16 in .32 Magnum (4" barrel, though), I never got around to trying higher powered loads in it. I had it rechambered to 32-20 and use moderately stiff loads in it. In other words, I don't know if the 7.5gr of 2400 is too much for the S&W M-16.

Both loads are very accurate in my guns, but there are many other loads that do well, too.

Don McDowell
03-18-2008, 10:42 AM
I really like 5.5 grs of bluedot with that rcbs bullet cast from wheelweights,stuffed into starline brass and sparked with ww small pistol primers. Shoots right to the sights on 2 different baby vaqueros, and groups well as far as 50 yds.

Harry O
03-18-2008, 03:20 PM
BTW, I stupidly missed out on a Ruger old-style (target sights) .32 Magnum Single-Six Bisley model last weekend that went for $400. I saw it and was interested, but figured I would finish going around the gunshow first to see if there was anything I wanted more. When I went back for it, someone was just finishing up the paperwork to buy it. Stupid me.

Bret4207
03-18-2008, 05:25 PM
Two 16-4's? You have 2?! Are you trying to drive me to suicide or do you just enjoy watching me weep like a little girl 'cuz I don't have even one M-16?:sad:

hammerhead357
03-18-2008, 09:32 PM
Yeah I am very green here. I used to have a M-16-4 but traded it off on another project with the thought of getting another. Big mistake. The price has about doubled and there are very few for sale. Oh well so it goes. One conselation is that I do have one of the original 32 mag SS from Ruger.....Wes

Newtire
03-18-2008, 09:46 PM
I ditto that on the AA#7. Using the RCBS, best accuracy I have gotten so far.

Rob43
03-19-2008, 12:48 AM
Thanks for the welcome. And thanks for the great info coming in on my favorite caliber!!

AZ-Stew
03-19-2008, 02:24 AM
The best I've found so far is Red Dot with the RCBS SWC. I haven't worked with J bulets yet, even though I have several boxes of them.

BTW, Bret, I also have 2 M16s. A 6" and a 4". Maybe that's why you can't find one. Some of us are hoarding them. [smilie=1:

I also have a Taurus titanium "J" frame I use for pocket carry. Nice little gun.

Regards,

Stew

Bret4207
03-19-2008, 05:53 AM
Stew- Ya got gotta a mean streak a mile wide, ya know that?:mrgreen: I shouldn't complain. I do have the K-32 and Ruger SSM and the IJ 6" and the Rem #4 and Rem#6 and thats just the 32 S+W's, Longs and Mags. The 32-20's add quite a lot to the list also. But there are never enough are there?:-D

9.3X62AL
03-19-2008, 08:45 AM
Bret--

You have a Model 16/no suffix......and whine about no 16-4??!! OFF WITH HIS HEAD!

Bret4207
03-19-2008, 12:10 PM
It's a pre-16 even. GLOAT! But I need a M16 and a 631 x4" trail gun. I mean NEED them. A man has to have a few nice things in this life ya know.

AZ-Stew
03-19-2008, 12:18 PM
PS

If all the .32 H&Rs are M16-4s, that's what I have. It was late when I posted, I was downstairs in the computer room in the house, and the guns were out in the shop in the safe. I was too lazy to go look at them to see what the suffix number is.

Regards,

Stew

Rob43
03-19-2008, 12:26 PM
Anyone every try any lil-gun? Some say it really works good in the 32 H&R..

Glen
03-19-2008, 12:42 PM
I agree with what 9.3x62Al said -- AA #7 is an excellent powder for the .32 H&R with the 98 grain RCBS bullet. That's one of my favorite all-time loads for that gun (and I like it even better with the 31133 HP!). The 85 grain XTP is an excellent little rodent shredder. I like Unique for the lighter bullets.

Scrounger
03-19-2008, 05:39 PM
Now up for bid at AuctionArms... http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8535714
(No, it's not mine)
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o9/artcompton/9709-1jpg_thumbnail1.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o9/artcompton/9709-2jpg_thumbnail1.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o9/artcompton/9709-5jpg_thumbnail1.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o9/artcompton/9709-3jpg_thumbnail1.jpg

Poohgyrr
03-27-2008, 04:41 AM
I just checked my safe, and there are NO .32mag M-16s inside! ;)

brshooter
03-27-2008, 08:27 AM
Brent, I had 2 16-4"s, one 6" and a 8-3/8". Was going to have one rebarreled and set-up for an ISU center fire pistol. Gave up shooting ISU and sold the 6". Still have the 8-3/8" unfired in the box, with a original single action trigger ass'by by S&W with it. Have a Star Universal head set up for 32 S&W Long. Once set up, I used to pump out 1000 rds/hr with it. Still have a H&G 4 cavity full wadcutter mold for it.


NRA Endowment Member
Life Member IBS, NBRSA & NYSRPA
Vet RVN

9.3X62AL
03-27-2008, 11:54 AM
The silence you are now experiencing has been caused by Bret committing ritualistic suicide over the unfired 8.375" Model 16-4. The Last Straw, that.

Perhaps S&W will see fit to do a run of K-frames in 327 Federal. I think the first lot of 500 could be sold right here. That Kit Gun/SP-101 x 4" is my huckleberry.

KCSO
03-27-2008, 12:19 PM
Being right honest there are very few loads that I have put through my Bisley 32 that have NOT been accurate. Factory 32 mags in the 85 HP shot one ragged hole at 25 yards what few I shot. Mostly I shoot the Lee soupcan and either Green Dot or Unique.

Harry O
I gave $126.00 for my Ruger Bisley 32 H and R and for years no one would believe that Ruger made such a thing.

Dale53
03-27-2008, 05:00 PM
I am somewhat "limited":mrgreen: having only four .32 H&R Magnums:

1 - S&W 631 (4")
2 - S&W 16-4 (6") with Red Dot Sight
3 - Ruger SP101 (4") with Red Dot Sight
4 - Thompson Center Contender with SSK Custom .312 -.32 mag barrel (10") with scope

The Ruger is arguably the best field pistol but you could make a strong case for the 631 - it IS delightful to carry and is quite accurate.

My everyday target loads are put up in .32 S&W Long cases with a 100 gr Keith (similar to the RCBS 98 gr bullet) and Federal SP Primers. Heavy load is same bullet ahead of 9.5 WC820 for 1100 fps. The cartridge can be loaded heavier but I don't want a really hot load to somehow get into the little 631.

I really only load for target and small game and the target load takes care of both. If I were expected to be bothered by charging coyotes or feral dogs (this, of course, can be a REAL threat) then the full load in magnum cases would get the nod.

I have loaded a bunch of Hornady 90 gr Wadcutters with excellent results ahead of 1.8-2.0 grs of Bullseye.

Regardless of which load I am using, I have never had to shoot a rabbit twice - once is enough with the little .32's (with proper bullets).
Dale53

sd5782
03-30-2008, 09:22 AM
It must be rare, because I never see it mentioned, unless people are embarrassed because it is a Taurus.
4" full underlug adjustable sight on their small frame; J size. 6 shot, and feels nice in the hand. Light loads only for me, as the cylinder-bolt cuts are over the chambers, and the metal is thin there.
Haven't shot it much yet but have done well with Lee 100RN, and soon trying the Saeco 95 swc.