32 S&W Long - most effective varmint pistol bullet (even coyote)

[tacotime]

So let's say you're out hiking with your .32 S&WL sixgun in an area where coyotes are numerous. You come across one, in fair handgun range (say 30 to 40 yards) and you practice and have a good chance of making the shot.

Not using any +P loads, what's the best bullet type and weight for the coyote here?

(And let's skip over the get a bigger gun angle.)

Thanks.

[richhodg66]

Semi wadcutter with as big a meplat as you can get.

[reed1911]

Yup, and heavy. I shoot the snot out of the 105g keith style, I have some 125s I use in the .32 mag, but they are a bit too heavy in the S&W long.

[MT Gianni]

RCBS 98 swc will give me the best chance of hitting it. I have killed several coyotes with 22 lr, they are not made from steel plate.

[Thumbcocker]

Cast full wadcutter?

[Outpost75]

For standard pressure loads, Saeco #325 works well, a 98-grain Keith type SWC with large meplat.149584

[gnoahhh]

I've shot a couple feral dogs with a .32 Long and 95gr. semi-wadcutter over heavy-ish charges of Bullseye, 50-ish feet distances and they dropped like stones. I see no reason for that sort of load to not work on a coyote.

A more companionable revolver for walking about and potting stuff than a .32 of some sort is hard to find. My current one is a Colt Police Positive Special and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[reed1911]

The beauty of the .32SWL is that (provided you cast) you can still re-load them for less than .22LR. They are more powerful than the .22, you have a lot of options for it in terms of bullet weight and charge, and it certainly works fine for both varmints ('yotes) and small game for the pot. Low noise, plenty of power, plenty of accuracy, and quiet.

[tacotime]

Still love to hear that every time I hear it!

I'm using a 95gr hard cast SWC that I would call medium meplat.

I've not gone above 2.2gr of Bullseye but I see lots of references to higher loads. 2.0 and 2.1 shoot very well, and near point of aim, but I wonder if I need more power...

Also shot well with 2.2 Titegroup, but only chrono's at 715fps out of a 1-7/8 J Frame.

[Outpost75]

2.5 grains of Bullseye is OK in a modern J-frame or postwar Colt D-frame with up to a 130-grain lubricated lead bullet.

2.5 grains of Bullseye is maximum for older I-frame S&W Hand Ejectors with a lubricated lead bullet not exceeding 100 grains.

6.3 grains of Alliant #2400 is equivalent to +P in modern J-frames and D-frame Colts with up to 130-grain lubricated lead bullet.

3.0 grains of Bullseye or 7 grs. of #2400 is the equivalent of +P with the Hornady 85-grain XTP in modern guns only.

[tacotime]

Thanks. The Bull standard load for J agrees with what I have seen mentioned elsewhere also.

[Outpost75]

Thanks. The Bull standard load for J agrees with what I have seen mentioned elsewhere also.

Lyman Cast Bullet Handbook, 4th Ed. (2010) p. 239 lists 2.4 grains with Saeco #326 100-grain bevel-based SWC at 1.17" OAL for 730 fps in their S&W Model 31.

My chronograph data:

Test of .32 S&W Long In Revolvers and Rifle

Remington cases, Federal 200 primers in all handloads:

Ammo Type_______________Colt 2”__________Colt 4”__________H&R18”

PMC 98 LRN factory_________687, 13 Sd______797, 17Sd________945, 16 Sd
Highest velocity factory load__103 ft-lbs.______138 ft.lbs.________194 ft.-lbs.

Federal 98 LRN factory_______n/f____________729, 12 Sd________884, 35 Sd

Remington 98 LRN__________n/f____________643, 24 Sd________825, 17 Sd

Accurate 31-114D, 2.5 BE____746, 9 Sd_______795, 15 Sd________947, 11 Sd
Max. for pre-1960 revolvers__141ft.-lbs._______160 ft.-lbs.________227 ft.-lbs.

149665149666

[tacotime]

A custom H&R or was that a cataloged offering? .32 H&R Mag?