Loading the .32 S&W Long and .32 H&R magnum for field and target

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  • Last Post 07 March 2016
Dale53 posted this 24 November 2015

I have long been loading the .32 S&W Long and the .32 H&R Magnum for field and target. I have mostly used 100 gr. Keith SWC home cast bullets from a Group Buy Lee six cavity mold. Recently, I have ordered a Mihec 98 gr. double ended wadcutter mold and expect it to be shipped soon. I have minimal data for a solid based wadcutter. Maybe Ed Harris can chime in here with information for a “full charge wadcutter” for the .32 S&W Long. That would be WELL received in THIS household, I can assure you! I have several platforms I will be using these loads in. My most used .32 is the S&W Model 16-4 (6” barrel with Red Dot Sight), a Ruger SP101 (.32 H&R Magnum with 4” barrel and Red Dot sight), an S&W Model 631 with 4” barrel (chambered for the .32 H&R Mag), and finally, an S&W Model 30 snub nose chambered in the .32 S&W Long. I have cases in plenty for both S&W long and H&R Mag, so that is not an issue. As a matter of interest, I have long used the .32 S&W Long cases with the 100 gr cast Keith ahead of 2.8 grs. of HP.38/Win231 for general use in my H&R chambered handguns. I have used the .32's with excellent results in the edible small game category and have nothing but high regard for that use.  Years ago, not long after the .32 H&R Magnum caliber was released, I had both a Lee 90 gr. SWC TL bullet mold and also a 90 Gr. .32 wadcutter TL mold. That mold was loaned out and never came back. I have a good Lee six cavity for the TL SWC through the auspices of my good friend “The Green Frog” and am presently using it with Ben's LL with good results. I also have ordered a five cavity NOE mold for the RCBS 98 gr. SWC and expect that to be shipped, shortly, too. It's going to be an interesting next few months casting, developing loads and using these great little .32's. The Green Frog and I will be working closely together on this project in the coming months. Anyone else that would be interested please don't hesitate to chime in. At any rate, I would appreciate anyone with reliable reloading information on the full wadcutters that would be interested in sharing with me, to do so. FWIWDale53

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Ed Harris posted this 07 March 2016

Outstanding!

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Dale53 posted this 06 March 2016

Ed, As a matter of interest, the Fouling Shot Editor has accepted two articles from me in a continuing series of “On the Range and in the Field".

Thanks for the encouragement.

Dale53

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Ed Harris posted this 01 March 2016

Bravo Zulu! I plan a followup on my #2400 loads with practical accuracyvfrom the rook rifle.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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RicinYakima posted this 01 March 2016

We are looking forward to your articles! Best wishes, Ric

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Dale53 posted this 29 February 2016

Ed; The article has been accepted and I am doing a series for The Fouling Shot. Thanks for the encouragement.

Dale53

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Ed Harris posted this 13 February 2016

Dale,

All you need to know for assurance is to look at the hit counter for the various Bunny Gun threads on this forum and you will have the answer!

Absolutely, another view on the .32 from somebody other than me is always welcome. New wrinkles and independent validation of previous ground covered is great for the passing parade!

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Dale53 posted this 08 February 2016

Thank you, Ed! Actually, I suspect that the gun and load combination might do a bit better. The main problem is that I can't hold any better than that:X. That's just a two power scope (it was set up for Hunter Silhouette) and I prefer no more than two power for offhand use.

At any rate, I am very happy with both my new molds.

Hard at work on the new article for the Fouling Shot (assuming they are interested;)).

Dale53

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Ed Harris posted this 08 February 2016

Very nice results which would be fully expected for a T/C Contender or break-open single shot rifle with iron sights. I have found that inch five-shot groups at 25 or 2 inches at 50 yards are reality. Maybe 3 inches at 100 with light >5 lb. rifle with hunting scope not to exceed 4X.

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Dale53 posted this 07 February 2016

I had a short window of opportunity to get to the range today. It was in the mid forties with variable 10 mph winds. It is going to rain, rain/snow, and get MUCH colder in the next few days. It may be a month or two before these conditions come back.

I was ready to go, so headed for the range.

My load was the Mihec 100 gr. Wadcutter ahead of 2.5 grs. of HP-38 (velocity just above 800 fps). The bullets were WW's+2% tin and sized with my Star .313” and lubed with Carnauba Red. The better groups were a consistent 3/4” (about as good as I can hold) using my TC Contender with SSK .312” barrel. This was typical and measured 3/4” at 25 yards off a rest:

http://s269.photobucket.com/user/Dale53/media/32%20Mihec%20wadcutter%20at%2025%20yards_872x1200.jpg.html>

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Ed Harris posted this 16 January 2016

I would like to see how these do in a strong, modern revolver with “nominal compressed case full” of Alliant #2400, about 6 grains in .32 S&W Long, to approximate the Buffalo Bore loads. This should not exceed standard pressure, but we should be a bit cautious in absence of presssure barrel. I am shooting 5.6 of #2400 with Accurate 31-087T in. 32 ACP with good results and haven't cracked any frames yet!

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Dale53 posted this 15 January 2016

Here is a couple of pictures of the bullets from my new Mihec 100 gr wadcutter mold (six cavity aluminum):

http://s269.photobucket.com/user/Dale53/media/32%20wadcutters_1600x1067.jpg.html>http://s269.photobucket.com/user/Dale53/media/32%20wadcutters-2_1600x1067.jpg.html>

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Ed Harris posted this 13 January 2016

Looking forward to it!

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Dale53 posted this 12 January 2016

Ed; That is spooky! I have been thinking that EXACTLY.

Stay tuned! Thanks for the encouragement.

Dale53

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Ed Harris posted this 12 January 2016

Good work!

Do I detect a faint, pleasant odor of an upcoming Fouling Shot article when the project “matures?"

73 de KE4SKY In Home Mix We Trust From the Home of Ed's Red in "Almost Heaven" West Virginia

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Dale53 posted this 12 January 2016

Here are the results of my first range test:

http://www.artfulbullet.com/index.php?threads/new-noe-rcbs-32-103-swc-at-the-range.848/

I am PLEASED!

I'm expecting to have my Mihec wadcutter mold delivered this week some time. However, it has only been a week since my notification and I may be overly optimistic about delivery time between Slovenia and Ohio, but HEY! I am really lookin' forward to receiving this mold, too.

I have several hundred of the NOE SWC's loaded. It's looking to be an interesting year...

Dale53

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hporter posted this 03 January 2016

Dale, Your bullets look great.  I tried the hollow point pins first in my new mould, and they dropped ~98 grs. Looking forward to your range report.  It is somewhat warmer here, but haven't had a chance to go to the range yet. Harold

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Dale53 posted this 03 January 2016

I have cast about 40 lbs of the new NOE clone of the RCBS 98 gr. SWC (the NOE weighs 103 grs. in my alloy). I'll be loading them up shortly.

I'll have to use the indoor range for preliminary tests as it is too dern cold out for me (down to 20 degrees tonight). I was out of town during the record breaking warm temps in SW Ohio this December...

http://s269.photobucket.com/user/Dale53/media/NOE%20.32%20RCBS%2098%20gr.%20SWC_1600x1067_5.jpg.html>

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Dale53 posted this 27 November 2015

Thanks good people, that gives me somewhere to start.

Dale53

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j35nut posted this 27 November 2015

Thanks tturner53

Dale you can subtract two tenths of a grain from the loads tturner53 posted for the

 published starting loads.

--------J

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tturner53 posted this 27 November 2015

From the RCBS Cast Bullet Manual #1; .32 S&W Long, 98 gr WC, Unique 2.5 gr =815 fps. Red Dot 2 gr. =778 fps., 231 2.1 gr. =725 fps. All from a S&W Model 31 with a 4” barrel. My Ruger SSM .32 Mag. likes the NOE version of the Lyman 311008. It's not picky about powder. But choices are limited by the little case.

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