32 s&w

[badwolf]

I've got a 32 s&w revolver coming and I'm looking for a bullet mold and loads. Probably will just be plinking with this and might shoot it at squirrels or a grouse or two. Any recommendations? Thanks I have dies for 327 federal Magnum I'm thinking might work?

[HumptyDumpty]

If you are talking about the original 32 S&W (32 S&W Short), then your 327 magnum dies will work, with the possible exception of the seating die; I don't know if the seating plug will screw down far enough. I use a set of Lee 32 &W dies to load 32 short, long, 327, and 32 acp, so if your dies are for the 32 S&W Long, I am confident that you will have no problems. For the 32 short, I have found that right around 1 grain (.7-1.2 grains) of 700x or Red Dot with a 71 grain round nose shoots well, in a wide variety of revolvers.

[pworley1]

Lyman 3118 over 2g of Red Dot or 3g Unique.

[GhostHawk]

Or the Lee .314 100 gr TL truncated cone sized to be 1 thous over barrel groove over 2 grains of Red Dot.

Mine shoot like lasers in both a H&R snubnose in .32sw long and a Ruger NM single Six in .32H&R mag.

[JoeJames]

The Lee Precision TL 314 90 SWC mold has worked out to be the best for my 32's. I have shot it in my pre-model 30, and in my S&W Model 631.

[badwolf]

32 long

[Larry Gibson]

The 327 dies may not crimp unless they were made to load the 32 S&WL, the 32 H&R Magnum and the 327.

[HumptyDumpty]

32 long

100 grain SWC over 2.7 grains of Red Dot is an accurate, full-power load (880 fps from a 2/12" barrel).This is not for top-breaks.

[Battis]

I use 1.1 gr Bullseye under a .321 roundball sized to .311.

[MT Gianni]

32 S&W dies will load 32 long, H&R & 327 Fed. The reverse is not true. Same as 38 special, 357 and 357 max.

[Mk42gunner]

There is such a plethora of .32 S&W Long revolvers out there of varying quality, (some can be shot forever, some shouldn't be fired at all) that I am a bit hesitant to blindly recommend a load.

Glen Fryxell has a decent article on the .32 S&W Long here: http://www.lasc.us/FryxellThe32S-WLong.htm

I will say that I have used 2.5 grains of Red Dot under a few different 95-100 grain boolits sized either .313 or .314" with complete satisfaction in my little I frame S&W's. Bullseye and W231 are good powder choices also.

Robert

[badwolf]

I shoot a .32 cal flintlock so have balls available to get started. Looking at molds, thanks guy.

[Larry Gibson]

badwolf

Give us a picture of the S&W when it gets there? Always interesting in looking at those oldies but goodies.....

[Green Frog]

Badwolf, more information is needed. First, is your new revolver chambered in 32 S&W (“short”) for which new guns haven’t been made for years, or the more common 32 S&W Long? Second, what make, model, and vintage is it? These questions, along with condition of your revolver, will determine how we answer your question.

BTW, those balls for your 32 flintlock are probably close to a true 32 caliber (.32” or more) while so-called 32 revolvers take bullets in the .311-.313” range.

Froggie

[GhostHawk]

I have taken OO buckshot, run them through a .314 lee sizing die. which squeezes them a little. Those load just fine in .32sw long or .32acp brass. Flat spot on the sides gives a good place to crimp. And they shoot well.

But mostly I prefer the little Lee .314 TL truncated cone sized as needed.
That little boolit just loves to shoot.

[badwolf]

Balls are from a .310 lee mold

[Green Frog]

OK, now it seems like we are talking in terms of a solid frame S&W (hand ejector, swing out cylinder) chambered in 32 S&W Long, right?

If so, all of these suggestions for using bullets in the 90-105 grain range, sized to .311-.314” should get you started. These can be powered safely with mild loads of Bullseye or HP-38 or its equivalent W231 and you’re good to go. I won’t post charges, but they are readily available in print and on line from the manufacturers and other reliable sources. I find the 32 S&W L to be the easiest and cheapest cartridge of all to reload if primers and powder are available. Brass will get lost or stepped on before it is likely to wear out! ;)

Froggie

PS That .310 round ball might work OK if the case neck will hold it. That will be super cheap to shoot!

[badwolf]

I'll have it Saturday, not sure what I bought.

[badwolf]

1956 improved I frame flat gate m&p, 4" barrel. Dealer had some Hornady 90 swc and Berry's plated hollow base wadcutters 93 gr to get me started.

[Stacts]

Pictures, man! Pictures! I want to drool over this thing.

[Green Frog]

A 1956 vintage I frame in 32 W&W Long? Ding ding ding ding, we have a winnah! Those 90 gr SWCs are swaged and will make great plinking loads with mild charges of Bullseye or HP 38/231 and the HBWCs with those same powders will make about the most accurate 32 revolver loads out there with the same powders. Sounds like you’re on your way. Keep us posted with your progress and remember, we love pictures!

Froggie

PS The tumble lubed Lee semi wad cutter mould mentioned by JoeJames gives the closest duplicate I’ve found for that Hornady bullet, which I predict you will really like but which Hornady has discontinued. :(

[murf205]

A 1956 vintage I frame in 32 W&W Long? Ding ding ding ding, we have a winnah! Those 90 gr SWCs are swaged and will make great plinking loads with mild charges of Bullseye or HP 38/231 and the HBWCs with those same powders will make about the most accurate 32 revolver loads out there with the same powders. Sounds like you’re on your way. Keep us posted with your progress and remember, we love pictures!

Froggie

PS The tumble lubed Lee semi wad cutter mould mentioned by JoeJames gives the closest duplicate I’ve found for that Hornady bullet, which I predict you will really like but which Hornady has discontinued. :(305493305494
Well Froggie, if you insist! When the guy at his table told me he would take $225 for this one, I flogged him with the money. badwolf, you're gonna love these little guns

[Green Frog]

Murph, you old reprobate! How can you sleep after doing something like that too poor, ignorant dealer. You ought to sell it to me so you can rest peacefully at night! :kidding:

[JoeJames]

I got my Improved I frame at a small gun show about 2 years go. Dealer had had it at a larger show a month prior to that but then he would not budge from $275. He was more desperate at the smaller show. Got mine for $250. I think mine was made about the same time as Murf205's. Finish is standard Arkansas - fired a lot and oiled very little. But the bore is still very good.

305520

[murf205]

Murph, you old reprobate! How can you sleep after doing something like that too poor, ignorant dealer. You ought to sell it to me so you can rest peacefully at night! :kidding:

Actually he wasn't a dealer. He said his wife wanted the guns out of the house and since I am all about peace and harmony in the family, I helped him out. He had a Browning A-5 3" Magnum with a 32" barrel he wanted $750 for and it looked unfired. I was sorta broke after buying the 32 so I left it with him. Besides, they kick too much for us old reprobates,LOL.

[murf205]

I got my Improved I frame at a small gun show about 2 years go. Dealer had had it at a larger show a month prior to that but then he would not budge from $275. He was more desperate at the smaller show. Got mine for $250. I think mine was made about the same time as Murf205's. Finish is standard Arkansas - fired a lot and oiled very little. But the bore is still very good.

305520

Joe my gun is a 258000 series gun which puts it in late 1916 or 17 according to the big S&W book. Bore and cylinders are perfect which is rare for one that old.

[JoeJames]

Joe my gun is a 258000 series gun which puts it in late 1916 or 17 according to the big S&W book. Bore and cylinders are perfect which is rare for one that old.Probably in better shape than the 5th version model 1903 HE S#243000 series I got awhile back. Same Arkansas finish as the other one, but probably the same year range as yours.

305540

Ok, I just cheated and looked it up in Flayderman's - 5th change - s#'s from 102501-263000. Made 1910-1917. At 258xxx mine was still in the group and made about what? 1915-1917.

[Green Frog]

305553My favorite old 32 S&W L revolver is a post-War transitional (still leaf spring) snub that is a part of a three gun “set” composed of the 32, a pre-War Terrier, and a Baby Chiefs Special. Can you guess which is which?
Froggie

[murf205]

Flat Latch on top.

[JoeJames]

Flat Latch on top.Baby Chief Special?

[Mk42gunner]

12 o'clock Baby Chief (five shot)
4 o'clock Pre War Terrier (five shot)
8 o'clock .32 (six shot)

Robert

[Green Frog]

12 o'clock Baby Chief (five shot)
4 o'clock Pre War Terrier (five shot)
8 o'clock .32 (six shot)

Robert

Ding ding ding. We have a winner. You get a star to take home to Mommy! [smilie=w:

[Mk42gunner]

Ding ding ding. We have a winner. You get a star to take home to Mommy! [smilie=w:
Why thank you Sir.

I will admit to looking at my 1953 (IIRC) .32 that greatly matches your Baby Chief while deciding. I do have a custom (read homemade) walnut grip adapter on mine, it is my something's stirring the dogs up gun.

Robert

[badwolf]

Some great looking 32's! Noe mold came already, looks awesome. Trying to get pics up, no luck.

[badwolf]

305610305611305612305613

[Green Frog]

Looks like a winner, Mr Wolf! Remind me why you wanted such a light bullet(?) For me, bullet selection for 32 S&W L starts at about 85 grains and really gets comfortable in the 95-105 grain range. Of course, you’ll be able to make some ultra mild loads with that bullet and feel like you’re shooting a 22 Short!

Froggie

[badwolf]

I guess for mild plinking loads. I'll give it a try and maybe look at heavier bullets down the road.
I don't see myself shooting anything but squirrel or a rabbit with this gun. Do you think the heavier bullets are more accurate?

[FergusonTO35]

305610305611305612305613

I use that same boolit in my .32 ACP's, love it! Load 'em to .945 with 1.8 grains Titewad (not Titegroup) for a very accurate and easy to shoot 815 fps out of my little Kel-Tec.

[JoeJames]

My three oldest S&W 32's have fixed sights. Per Hatcher's Textbook of Pistols and Revolvers published @1937 the factory loads which I assume they were regulated to shoot - had a 98 grain lead bullet sitting on 2.1 grains of Bullseye for a velocity of 750 fps in a 6" barrel. So I tailored my loads with my Lee 314 90 TL to that by reducing the powder charge to 1.9 grains of Bullseye. And they all shoot to point of aim at 15 yards. Velocity with a 4" barrel: 90 grain lead swc - Home cast Lee .314" 90 grain P
1.9 grains Bullseye = *692, 641, *692, *690, 665 fps avg 676
* note potential to be very accurate - consistent velocity

[tward]

Bad wolf, I’ve been reloading the 32 long for a couple of years now. I’ve got a S&W I frame and an H&R 732. They both seem to like the Lee 90 gr tl Swc and the 93 gr rn. The heavier 113 gr rnfp works great in my 32-20s but not great in the 32s. The 32s are a little tedious to reload but I believe I like reloading more than shooting, so that’s fine with me. Have fun, they are great little guns! Tim

[FergusonTO35]

By 113 rnfp, are you talking about the Lee soupcan?

[tward]

Lee 90362 a 113 gr GC boolit. They shoot better with the GC but are ok without. Tim

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks. I have that mold and will remember it if I ever get another .32 wheelgun.

[fatelk]

I had always wanted a .32 revolver, looked at them for decades but never found the right one at the right price. I finally got over having to find a bargain, and picked up these two in the last few years.

The 31-1 was not a bargain, but shortly after I bought it, I came across the little I-frame "Regulation Police" at a price I couldn't pass up. I use the Lee 100gr RN bullet in both of them, powder coated, moderate charge of Unique.

I think the 31-1 dates from the '60s (760,xxx). Near as I can tell, the earlier one is from the '30s (505,xxx).

306427

[Soundguy]

The Lee Precision TL 314 90 SWC mold has worked out to be the best for my 32's. I have shot it in my pre-model 30, and in my S&W Model 631.

that and a lead round nose as well.

[Stacts]

I had always wanted a .32 revolver, looked at them for decades but never found the right one at the right price. I finally got over having to find a bargain, and picked up these two in the last few years.

The 31-1 was not a bargain, but shortly after I bought it, I came across the little I-frame "Regulation Police" at a price I couldn't pass up. I use the Lee 100gr RN bullet in both of them, powder coated, moderate charge of Unique.

I think the 31-1 dates from the '60s (760,xxx). Near as I can tell, the earlier one is from the '30s (505,xxx).

306427

Beautiful pieces.