32 H&R single six

[MT Gianni]

I was playing around and found an older SS on Gunbroker with adjustable sights. I bid once and found out what the reserve was. It showed up this week. i have done some trading and have a RCBS 98 gr swc, a Lee rn 95 gr and a set of dies. I found a box of 90 gr rf loaded in starline brass for only $32.95. Graf & sons says they will have brass in Oct 27th or so. I plugged my nose and bought a box. It shoots them OK but I look forward to a grip change and charge I find accurate. All in all I like the cartidge from a pistol that weighs less than a 22 lr.

[ktw]

I found the RCBS 98 SWC to be the most accurate and shoot it over 6.2gr of AA7.

My Single Six 32 H&R is one of the later, fixed sight models.

-ktw

[Bass Ackward]

Yea, you are going to have fun with that and find more uses that you never imagined. Especially if you don't push it to where you need ear protection.

I have been searching for one for years that wasn't outta sight. Congrats.

[ethang]

Now's a good time to jump from the lurker status. I have been reading and learning for a couple weeks. My new favorite toy is also a 32 SS. I picked up a NIB 4 5/8 a couple months ago and have just started shooting it. I lucked out and got some dies, daughter bought me some bullets and 50 pieces of brass. This is going to be the first gun I start casting for as soon as I can locate a suitable mold.

Ethan

[Larry Gibson]

I've an older (original run) Ruger SS with 6 1/2" barrel. My most used load is; Starline .32 H&R cases with WSP primers, the Lee TL314-90-SWC over 3 gr of Bullseye. Velocity is 1010 fps and accuracy is outstanding. I cast the bullets out of range lead + 5 % tin or WWs + 2% tin and tumble lube in LLA. After drying I push them base first through a Lee .314 sizer. The throats on my Ruger are .312 but the .314s shoot just fine.

For magnum loads the same cases and primers are used but I use a 313631 (GC'd SWC originally designed for the .32 H&R). cast of WWs + 2% tin, sized .314, lubed with Javelina and a Hornacy GC. I load these over 10 gr H110 for a very accurate 1250 fps. I've also loaded them over 5.5 gr Unique for 1290 fps. I also intend yto test them with Blue dot and Power Pistol powders but have not done so yet.

311316 (GC'd 118 gr 32-20 bullet) also does really well over 10.5 gr H110 for 1280 fps.

In R-P 32S&WL cases I like to load the Speer 98 gr HBWC over 2.1 gr of Bullseye. The bullets are seated so the case mouth is very slightly taper crimped into the 1st canelure back from the bullet nose. Velocity is a very accurate 790 fps. They are very deadly on small game and are very pleasant to shoot.

Federal factory 95 gr lead SWCs run 1025 fps and the 85 gr JHPs run 1040 fps out of my Ruger. I have my 10" Contender barrel in 32 H&R is now set up for pressure testing and one of these days I'll get around to it.

Photo shows the Ruger with my S&W M31 .32S&WL.

Larry Gibson

[MT Gianni]

Nice looking guns, Larry. I assume that's 10.5 gr H110?

[pmeisel]

That Smith is a nice little wheelgun, Larry.

[Mk42gunner]

My SSM and Larry's are twins, right down to the color of the grips. So far mine likes the Group buy 314-120 weighing 122 grains of ACWW. I haven't decided on a load for it yet. I have tried the old Ideal 313445, but it doesn't group very well out of my gun.

Robert

[Larry Gibson]

Nice looking guns, Larry. I assume that's 10.5 gr H110?

Be kinda hard to get 105 gr in that little case! Thanks for the catch, I've corrected it.

Larry Gibson

[Larry Gibson]

That Smith is a nice little wheelgun, Larry.

To me it makes the perfect "kit" or "trail" gun, much better than the same J frame revolver in .22LR. I've potted many bruch bunnies and grouse with it while big game hunting. Light weight, unobtrusive and easy to carry.

Larry Gibson

[9.3X62AL]

Gianni--

Congrats on finding that SSM. Owners of same tend to be keepers, so they don't grow on trees.

The RCBS 98 SWC has been my go-to boolit for both of my 32 Magnums--a SSM and the current S&W Model 16-4. #311316 and a 118 grain plain-base Mountain Molds design I cobbled up do better in the 32-20s than in the 32 Mags so far, but that H-110 load of Larry's is kinda intriguing. I don't recall ever using either H-110 or WW-296 in the 32 Mag. THAT ONE goes onto the list of things to try. Lyman #313631 didn't impress me much, until I loaded some of them past 1100 FPS......did those groups EVER tighten up! This happened with both 2400 and WC-820, so in the context of Larry's experience with #311316......maybe these poorer-performing boolits need me to tip the powder flask a mite longer.

[Dale53]

I am also a fan of the .32 S&W Long as well as the .32 H&R magnum. This is a 16-4 S&W .32 H&R with a 6" barrel and a Red Dot sight (Bushnell):

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/4DalesPistolsRevolversSelects-3322.jpg

This is a Ruger Sp101 with 4" barrel and a Bushnell Red Dot sight:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/DalesPistolsRevolvers5Selects-0261.jpg

This is a 631 S&W 4" barreled .32 H&R "Kit Gun";

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj80/Dale53/DalesPistolsRevolvers4Selects-0330.jpg

I use loads similar to Larry Gibson's loads. My most used load is the Group Buy 100 gr Keith bullet over 2.8 grs of Win 231 in .32 S&W Long cases. It makes a FINE target load as well as an edible small game load "par excellence". My "heavy" load is the same bullet ahead of 10.0 grs of H110 but in .32 H&R cases.

All of my H&R cases are Starline. I have a couple or three thousand .32 S&W Long cases of various brands.

I don't shoot the heavy load in the "J" frame.

Like Larry, I also use the Hornady or Speer HBWC with "around" 2.0 grs of Bullseye for target or small game.

Dale53

[9.3X62AL]

Those of us who enjoy the mid-caliber handguns tend to get lyrical about the critters. The gun porn posted above is always welcome, too. Once you use the 32 S&W Long or 32 Magnum on small game or varmints, the 22 LR seems kind of toy-like and inefficient in a revolver by comparison.

[Tom W.]

Yea, you are going to have fun with that and find more uses that you never imagined. Especially if you don't push it to where you need ear protection.







You always need ear protection....:holysheep

[Dale53]

Those of us who enjoy the mid-caliber handguns tend to get lyrical about the critters. The gun porn posted above is always welcome, too. Once you use the 32 S&W Long or 32 Magnum on small game or varmints, the 22 LR seems kind of toy-like and inefficient in a revolver by comparison.

I haven't used a .22 Revolver (even tho' I have several) on small game since I tried a .358 RB percussion single shot pistol in my teens. I ALWAYS prefer a centerfire. In fact, I have often used my .44 Specials on edible small game. My preference, of course, is the various .32's.

When bird hunting with a O/U Beretta Silver Snipe I always carried a centerfire revolver. The 631 with my Keith target load or my 60-4 .38 Special 3" Chief's Target with a .38 Wadcutter both do excellent work and you don't know you have either with you until you need it. Either is PERFECT for sitting rabbits (both cottontail and snowshoe rabbits have been taken with a single shot to the head or through the "slats"). I carry those revolvers cross draw to avoid damaging my shotgun stock and yet, have it at hand.

There are hardly more sporting activities available to the common man that will equal taking edible small game with a good handgun. My family always appreciated not having to pick shot out of their teeth, also.:mrgreen:

Dale53

[Rusty W]

I've just been bit by the 32 bug. I bought a 32ssm birdshead about 3 weeks ago. I'm really liking it. In fact I like it so much I had to by another one just yesterday. I don't have it yet, I bought it from another member on the Ruger Forum. I'm also shopping for a Blackhawk in 327, but haven't come across the right deal yet. I have a Lee SWC mold for now but am also shopping for a different mold. I just don't know what to get. The RCBS cowboy boolit looks good but so does the group buy boolit. For now thought I'm just shooting the "j" bullets.

[9.3X62AL]

The big draw for me with the 32 revolvers and 30/32 caliber autopistols has always been the low components cost of the ammo elements. 70 to 100 bullets from a single 1# ingot of casting metal makes supplies go a LONG WAY. If mindful of the calibers' needs and preferences, quite reliable and effective hunting rounds can be assembled without convoluted esoteric methods.

[WARD O]

I've been a big fan of the 32 H&R for several years now. Lots of loads and bullets shoot very well in my various Ruger Single Sixs. I've pretty much settled on shooting one of the various 98-105 grain SWC's as a standard. Some time back Brian Pearce of Handloader listed a +P load - for Ruger single actions only - of the 100 gr Hornady JHP with 12 grains of H110 as a top end performer and I have to agree that it certainly does shoot well, even with hard cast SWC's of the same weight. I'm not sure that it does anything any better than the lighter charges as listed above.

Perhaps the new Alliant Pro 300 powder will find an application with this cartridge as it appears to be ever so slightly slower burning than 296/H110.

Whatever the case, one thing for sure is that you need to handload to really enjoy the 32 Mag and it really is one of the most fun calibers in my opinion. No sore wrists, no flinching, less expense, centerfire performance and all in a nice lightweight comfortable to handle single action (but you still need to wear ear protection.)

I'm still looking for a 4 5/8" with adjustable sights - while I patiently wait for my new group buy moulds from Swede!

Ward

[MT Gianni]

I have done some trading and selling. It is now paid the joint savings back and I have some cases coming, an RCBS 98 gr SWC and a lot of fun in load development ahead. Thanks for the ideas, Gianni.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s52/Giandm/pistol/pix2320037546.jpg
sellers photo 5.5" bbl

[9.3X62AL]

The recent Ruger offerings in 327 Federal are certainly tempting to this here mid-caliber addict. I have other toys in mind, but am not sure how long that maturity and discipline will prevail on this question.

[KCSO]

I shoot the Lee soupcan in my Ruger Bisley and it's companion Marlin with Unique powder and it is accurate in BOTH guns. Something rare in pistol rifle combo's. I have to honestly say the 32 H and R is THE most accurate handgun I have ever owned or shot. 25 yard groups are consistantly under 1 1/2" and I have made head shots on squirrels at over 40 yards with the Lee bullet.

[odis]

I don't own a 32 HR because I can't afford to have the right revolver made for it, a 5 shot Bearcat a kit gun load should be chambered in a proper kit gun. The new Ruger Blackhawk in 327 leaves me flat and I don't think it will sell.

[excess650]

I have the S&W Model 16 in 6". Its heavy for the caliber, but has handled hot loads well. I shot the 311008 over pretty stout charges of AA#7. A friend had one of the little Rugers with adjustable sights, and it was a nice, smaller revolver. They're LOUD.

[Bret4207]

I'm with you Odis, only I want Dales 32 Smith DA Kit Gun, but in blued steel as God intended all good handguns to be. THAT would be a field gun of my dreams. And the 32 S+W Long would be enough cartridge too, for me at least.

[dualsport]

KCSO, now that's interesting. When I read that I had to go check the mold cabinet, you do mean the Lee C309-113F? I think that's the one called the soupcan, right? Or am I mixed up? I never thought of trying it in my SSM, gotta fix that.

[MT Gianni]

That's the one. I have one I dehorned the gas check from and a couple of standard ones. KSCO are you shooting those checked or bare or both?

[9.3X62AL]

I never tried the Lee Soup Can in my now-departed SSM, and the throats in my S&W 32 Mag and 32-20 M&P are too wide @ .314" to run that boolit. Lymans #311316 and #313631 cast wide enough to fit, as does RCBS 98 SWC and the Mountain Molds 120 FN.

[frank505]

some time ago I was running a hunt club along a river bottom. many targets of opportunity were present, started with a K22. Not enough power for the feral cats and coons. Tried a 357, just a bit much. Was wandering a gun show, spied a Ruger 5.5 inch 32 Mag. Dickered alittle, walked out with gun and most of a box of 85 grain hollow points for $75. Gun shot very poorly, cylinder throats were .308!!!!!!!!!!! The groove is .311. Opened up the throats with a dowel and 220 grit, gun shoots like a little rifle with the Saeco 120 grain round flat and 9 grains of 820.
My first wirehair and I had quite a time with that little gun, many many cats and coons were hit hard. Even tried some Hornady 85 HP's, they worked ok. Much rather shoot lead. The little 32 Kit gun passed me by, I had no idea Smith made such a gem, should have gone to town more...........

[Dale53]

This thread had me checking my cast bullet inventory. I was down into my last thousand of the Group Buy 100 gr Keith ("Molly" and I were talking also). Today it was the coolest day we have had for some time.

I hit the casting barn this morning and ran 21 lbs of the little Keith bullets (over 1400). NOW, I can breathe again...:mrgreen:

Now, back to the Star sizer...

Dale53

[longhorn]

Aren't they slick? Mine is a 4 5/8" blued Ruger. Kinda want a .327, but no real need for it, of course. As I've mentioned before on this forum, some of the very early data (in print!) for the .32Mag with 2400 powder necessitated driving cases out of my gun with a rod and mallet--and they weren't the top loads. I think H-110 is a better bet for speedy loads.

[Hogokansatsukan]

I just recently (within the last week) acquired these little beauties. I'm in load development right now using the RCBS 98gr mold sized to 314 using LBT blue soft. Initial testing was today with Universal Clays. Went up to 5.3 gr in starline brass. No signs of high pressure. I'm getting scared now as this should be very hot. I started at 4.0 and worked up. I didn't think I would get past 5.0.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m182/hogokansatsukan/P1016719.jpg

Here is a newborn. Born last night out of lino.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m182/hogokansatsukan/P1016720.jpg

I should note the birth weight with lube in pure lino is right on 95 grains.

[Shooter6br]

Waiting for my NOE 32 .314 HP mold.I have been using a Lee 90 grain SWC with Universal 4.2 g plinker.The NOE mold will be 115g solid and a 100g HP.I use 20-1 or 25-1 alloy

[MT Gianni]

I miked things yesterday. Throats are .3115 +-.0002, barrel is 312. I can live with those measurements.

[UnderDawgAl]

Looks like I missed this thread back in August.

I bought a Single Six in 32 Mag with 6.5" barrel back in April. I immediately ordered the Lee TL314-90-SWC, a .312 sizer, and Starline brass. Too bad that boolit design only comes in a double cavity now. Rumor has it that Lee once made a six-cavity mould for it. I wish I could get one of those.

At any rate, I shot several test loads at 25 yards this morning. Looks like my two best loads were 3.2 gr HP38 and 3.0 gr Red Dot. I'm going to do a few more of those Red Dot loads to confirm that the two fliers were my fault rather than the load's fault. Of course, with Red Dot, the fliers might just be the result of charge weight inconsistencies with the Lee Pro Auto Disk.

I also shot some Magnus 98 grain WCs that I bought from Midsouth Shooters Supply and sized to .312. I only had 10 rounds of these, backed by 2.6 grains HP38. This performed very well, also, and I love those clean-cut holes.

Eventually, I'd like to get a nice Model 30 or 31 with 4" barrel. Should be fun with these cast boolits and 32 Long brass.

[Landric]

My Single Six .32 is my favorite plinker/range gun. Its a birdshead fixed sight version. I'd very much like to add an adjustable sight version at some point and perhaps a DA kit gun or two. I really enjoy the .32 Magnum, both handloading and shooting it. I have also been known to carry a S&W 432PD Airweight. My only real complaint about the .32 Magnum is the lack of decent factory defense loads (I'd happily carry handloads, but my department says factory only). I'm carrying the Georgia Arms 100 grain JHP, but I'd much rather see a 100 grain Gold Dot load if I'm stuck with factory fodder.

For anyone who missed out on the 115 grain Keith SWC group buy, its back open. Here is the link:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=96126

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c85/Landric/IMG_0559.jpg

[358wcf]

Years ago, I purchased a 3" M31 S&W. Couldn't hit a thing with it, 'til I got a new 4" barrel from S&W and had my 'smith install it- Wow, what a change- not a tackdriver, but certainly a HUGE improvement.
Later on, when the Ruger SSM came out, I snagged on in 6.5", had a trigger job performed, and enjoyed it greatly. Found another SSM in 5", and it followed me home. Both shot very well consistently.
The next thing I knew, a S&W 631 4" follows me home from the San Francisco Gun Exchange (now long-gone!). What a sweetheart she was-- 4.0gr Unique with the 98gr RCBS swc was a hot, but accurate load.
Times changed, funds were short, and one of the SSMs and the 631 went down the road- (BIG mistake!).
A hunting buddy "borrowed" the other SSM, and last thing I've heard he's living in Los Angeles. Never saw him again, don't expect to see that SSM again either. Apparently I'm not the best judge of character-
I'm a double-action S&W addict, so no more Rugers for me-
I've decided to sacrifice an older K-frame 38 (S&W Model 15) to the cause. Just picked up a K-frame 22 cylinder and a 6" blued M53 22 barrel. Going to ship them off to Hamilton Bowen and have him make me a 6" K32 clone chambered in 32Long.
No need for the H&R or 327, 32Long will do just fine on paper and small game.
I thought I'd sworn off the 32s a few years ago, but it just ain't so!
I been bit hard!!!

358wcf [smilie=1:[smilie=1:[smilie=1: