Reloading .32 S&W Long

[Bimmer]

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

Actually, that load looks just about perfect...

If you can eliminate that one oddball 457fps as an error or whatever, then your velocities are safe (you won't stick a bullet in the barrel) and consistent.

I would load another 10 or 20 and chrono them — a bigger sampling is better, and then you'll see if you have more oddballs.

[Ron3]

What chronograph are you using.

A common Pro Chrono.

[Ron3]

Actually, that load looks just about perfect...

If you can eliminate that one oddball 457fps as an error or whatever, then your velocities are safe (you won't stick a bullet in the barrel) and consistent.

I would load another 10 or 20 and chrono them — a bigger sampling is better, and then you'll see if you have more oddballs.

Thanks. I'd like a little more velocity. Then another, hotter load that is closer to simulating (but not as hot) the .32 magnum carry load.

[Ron3]

I'm liking the 2.5 gr. Of 700x.

Nice bang, good accuracy and POI, less carbon on outside of casings, average of 740 fps from LCR snub and 8 rounds (all I tested of this batch) had an SD of about 12 fps IIRC. 👍

[gunnerblue]

An acceptable combination of accuracy and low SD are a good indicator that load development is done. Good work.

[Ron3]

An acceptable combination of accuracy and low SD are a good indicator that load development is done. Good work.

Thanks!

Now I've got to work a little more on the .25 acp challenge!

[Wildcat]

I'm liking the 2.5 gr. Of 700x.

Nice bang, good accuracy and POI, less carbon on outside of casings, average of 740 fps from LCR snub and 8 rounds (all I tested of this batch) had an SD of about 12 fps IIRC. ��

Hornady has loading data on the 32 S&W long. In their recommended loadings for 700X and an 85gr jacketed bullet, 2.0 grains is listed as max. (but that is for shooting in a gun chambered for the 32 Long)

They show HP-38 / W231, Red Dot, 700X, Bullseye, Green Dot, Unique and AA No 5 as workable powders and have recipes for 85gr JHPs and 90gr lead.

The SPEER manual has data for 100gr JHPs
Approved recipes include H110, AA#9, WAP, Hod. Universal, HS-6, W231, 296, WSF, AA#5, 2400, 3N37
For 98gr lead: Bullseye, Herco, PB, Red Dot, AA#5, Unique, HP-38/W231, and 700X

Ken Waters adds SR-4756 and SR-7625, HS-5 as yielding functional loads.

VihtaVuori shows loads
Hodgdon has loads

Be careful out there.

[GarrettJ]

I see the Lyman book lists 2.5 to 2.8 gr. 700X for an 85 gr. LRN bullet. You should have no issue using that same load range with a 90 gr. lead bullet.

As noted, if loading for a gun chambered in .32 H&R or .327 Fed, you should be able to safely increase pressures to those of the longer cartridges. It's difficult to judge where you are with pressure without specific equipment, so I generally don't go very far over the listed loads. But proceed with caution and don't go excessive, and you should be fine. YMMV.