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Thread: Reloading .32 S&W Long

  1. #1
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    Reloading .32 S&W Long

    Man, not much data out there!

    I have 700x, cfe pistol, and 90 gr lead bullets.

    Gun is a Ruger LCR .327 magnum 1.8 inch barrel.

    Which powder is more appropriate?

    If I was going for a light load I'd start with 2.0 grs of 700x. (No data for this, just my guess as a place to start)

    But I actually want something hotter to simulate a mild .32 magnum load. (I have alot of .32 Long cases)

    Would the slower CFE Pistol be better for that? Or would 700x be better due to the short barrel?

  2. #2
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    No idea...

    1. Generally, yes, use slower powders for hotter "magnum" loads.

    2. Start with a conservative (light) load, chronograph it, and then work up from there...

    3. You might ask over at CastBoolits...

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bimmer View Post
    No idea...

    1. Generally, yes, use slower powders for hotter "magnum" loads.

    2. Start with a conservative (light) load, chronograph it, and then work up from there...

    3. You might ask over at CastBoolits...
    Thanks.

    I dug around but apparently the powders I have arent too popular with it.

    I'm going to load about 20 with 2.0 gr of 700x. It may be on the light end but not so light I get a stuck bullet.

    It sure isnt going to hurt this .327 Federal chambered gun.

    Crimp will be medium-heavy.

    Once I get a baseline I'll increase in steps but it kinda sucks not having an "official" guide to what is "too much". I'll be on the look out for excessive velocity, recoil, and sticky extraction.

    I'm going for 750-825 fps from this snubbie with .32 S&W Long. Accuracy and easy extraction will decide.
    Last edited by Ron3; 04-19-21 at 15:15.

  4. #4
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    I think you're on the right track with 700X for a start. Lots of flake-type shotgun powders produce great low pressure target loads handgun cartridges.

    CFE may give you a higher pressure round, though I'm not sure younsee much velocity gain in such a short barrel.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by gunnerblue View Post
    I think you're on the right track with 700X for a start. Lots of flake-type shotgun powders produce great low pressure target loads handgun cartridges.

    CFE may give you a higher pressure round, though I'm not sure younsee much velocity gain in such a short barrel.
    I'm gonna find out and report back. I think every light-weight snubbie SD gun should be a 6-shot .32 mag or .327 instead of a 5-shot .38 special. 😁

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ron3 View Post
    I think every light-weight snubbie SD gun should be a 6-shot .32 mag or .327 instead of a 5-shot .38 special. ��
    I won't argue, but Ruger only makes the 3" LCRx in .38Spl.

    (Or .22, which was a non-starter for me, or .357Mag, which seemed dumb.)

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bimmer View Post
    I won't argue, but Ruger only makes the 3" LCRx in .38Spl.

    (Or .22, which was a non-starter for me, or .357Mag, which seemed dumb.)
    True, the .327 is only available as the 1 7/8 in.

    The Sp101 is available in .327 with a 3 & 4 inch IIRC. But as heavy as it is, it's pretty pleasant to fire mild .38 from and .38 +P isn't heavy recoiling, either from what I recall. (I've had a couple of them but it's been awhile)

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    Hornady shows 1.4 to 1.9 gr 700x under a lead 90 gr wc/swc for 550-750 FPS from a 3” barrel

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    Well, 2.0 grs wasn't enough.

    Accuracy was decent, not great. I had one reading of 457 fps. Not sure if that was a misread or not. Probably?

    Otherwise the other 5 shots were:

    H. 598
    L. 582
    Avg. 592
    ES. 16

    I'm going to load a batch with 2.3 grs and another with 2.5 grs.

    The same day (80 degrees) I ran some PPU 98 gr from the same gun and got:
    H. 678
    L. 627
    Avg. 649
    ES. 51

  10. #10
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    What chronograph are you using.

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